Automotive Technology

Automotive Technology

Located within the Kansas Technology Center, the Department of Automotive Technology is recognized by industry as offering one of the best academic programs in the nation. Our professors are accomplished professionals with industry experience and our laboratories offer students access to the latest technology. Learn more about our department and discover why you belong at Pittsburg State University.

Courses & Schedules

Faculty & Staff

University Scholarships

Automotive Events Calendar

students in class
Students visiting technology center
Students visiting technology center
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KTC Library-interior
Where can an Automotive degree take you?
  • Why Automotive Technology at Pitt State?
  • Types of jobs?
  • Automotive Employers
  • Diesel & Heavy Equipment Employers

Graduates are highly recruited by leading edge dealerships and corporations
The 2-Year Program is an NATEF-accredited program
The 4-Year Program is considered by the industry as 1 of the top 4 programs of its kind in the country.

Depending upon the area of the country, a corporate starting salary can vary between $35,000 to $60,000 a year. Graduates that accept jobs in small rural communities might start at a lower hourly wage, such as $10 to $15 per hour.

Field Representative - This job often begins in a management trainee position, where a company develops the graduate to become a product support representative that travels a territory and assists dealerships in sales, service, parts, and or warranty.
Technical Hotline - In this job a graduate is trained to answer dealer technical inquiries on automobiles or equipment.
Aftermarket Sales - This job trains a graduate to manage a parts store or other stores related to aftermarket accessories.
Writer/Literature Developer - Graduates begin their career by writing service and or repair manuals.
Dealership Service Writer - Dealerships often start graduates writing repair orders. This job requires knowledge of the automobile/equipment and good communication skills.
Fleet Equipment Manager - In this job, graduates manage equipment by performing preventative maintenance inspections on equipment and scheduling repairs, to ensure that the equipment is available for everyday production.
Test Engineering Technician - Graduates test prototype automobiles, tractors, and equipment for reliability, serviceability and functionality.
Technician - Other students begin their career as a technician and work towards becoming a service manager or fleet manager.
Service Training Instructor - In this job, graduates train technicians for manufacturers.
Insurance Claims Representative - Graduates work in a variety of areas including claims, total loss/salvage department, catastrophe teams, and field appraisers.
Automotive Paint Store Managers and Sales representatives - Management Training Program (MTP) candidates are often able to choose from several areas to live while training as store managers. Potential jobs such as area sales reps are also common.
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Automotive Company Day

As part of the College of Technology Company Days, the Automotive Department will host Automotive Company Day 2018 on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.  Company Days are held in the Kansas Technology Center from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The Automotive Company Day is always held on Wednesday.

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Automotive Orientation Day

Automotive Orientation Day offers a unique blend of industry related panel discussions with students, as well as an afternoon of informal table displays in a mini career fair environment.

  • Automotive Internships and Handbook
  • Capstone Portfolio Information
  • Course Substitution Forms
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Annual Car Show

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) local chapter hosts at least one Car Show each year.  The Car Show has a low cost registration fee for entries, and viewing the entries is free and open to the public.

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SAE Baja

Students who enroll in the special topics Baja course raise money to build, design, and fabricate a car, then compete against other schools from across the globe. Competition consists of: maneuverability, hill climb, sled pull, sales, design, and the endurance race.

Watch the 2017 Baja Recap

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Christian Automotive Majors (CAM)

The purpose of CAM is to encourage friendships and support for automotive majors who share the Christian faith and a love for cars, motorcycles, tractors, and trucks. The group typically meets twice a month during the school year for Bible study social activities.   The social activities include going to the local drag strip, participating in the PSU SAE car show and several other gatherings.

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SkillsUSA

Students at PSU have the opportunity to participate in SkillsUSA.  The mission of the organization as stated on their web site is as follows: "SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. We help each student excel."

SkillsUSA 2017

Automotive Technology Scholarships - FAQs
  • Who can apply for an automotive and or diesel scholarship?
  • How do I apply?
  • When is the scholarship application date deadline?
  • Are any other Automotive or Diesel scholarships offered throughout the semester?
  • What is the likelihood of an incoming freshman receiving a scholarship?
  • Can Graduate Students earn automotive or diesel scholarships from the department?
  • What can new students/not yet enrolled student do in order to be considered for scholarships?
  • Are there other places that I can apply for automotive scholarships?
Automotive/Diesel majors are eligible to apply for scholarships. Candidates need to be seeking
  • Bachelors of Science degree in Automotive Technology" (BST) or
  • Bachelors of Applied Science in Technology" with an emphasis in Automotive or Diesel (BAS)
The university has an on-line program, where students can apply for scholarships.
The three items below are required in order to apply on-line:
  • Granted admission into the University
  • Obtain a student identification number
  • Obtain a GUS PIN number
After completing these three tasks prospective students can apply on-line for scholarships.  Current students use this link to scholarship application process.   Be sure to apply for the correct academic year. Students can also submit a letter of interest to the Automotive Technology Scholarship Coordinator. The letter should contain:
  • The date of your letter
  • Major
  • Class standing (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior)
  • Freshmen should submit a copy of their high school transcript
  • Transfer students should submit a copy of your college transcript and possibly high school transcript
  • New students should mention the date you plan to start attending Pitt State
  • GPA
  • Relevant experience in the automotive or diesel field
  • Special needs or concerns
  • Expected graduation date
  • Current PSU students should include their I.D. #
  • Statement that you have applied on-line for scholarships
Address Letter To:
Mr. Scott Norman
Dept of Automotive Technology
Pittsburg State University
1701 S Broadway
Pittsburg, KS, 66762
To receive first consideration for a scholarship students must apply by the university deadline, February 1st. The Automotive Technology faculty begin meeting shortly after that deadline to award scholarships for the upcoming academic school year (August through May). These scholarships are presented to the recipients during the April awards banquet.

I missed the deadline, and the scholarships have already been awarded for the academic year. Can I somehow still be considered for a scholarship?

The majority of scholarships are awarded during the February/March time frame. However, at the discretion of the faculty and if funds are still available, candidates might be reviewed again in late July or up until the start of the fall semester. Candidates may send a letter of interest to the scholarship coordinator as listed above and apply on line.
At times the department will have the opportunity to award scholarships throughout the year. Sometimes the department receives funds for scholarships during the academic year that are to be awarded during the same year. Students are urged to apply on-line and submit a letter of interest to the scholarship coordinator.
The Automotive/Diesel Technology Department offers thousands of dollars of scholarships each year. However, on average, the program typically awards the larger scholarships to students who have already demonstrated their commitment towards earning a degree from the automotive technology program. The department does want to award scholarships to incoming freshmen and therefore encourages incoming freshmen to apply for scholarships as described above.
Although students can take some automotive and diesel classes for their Masters degree, we do not offer a Masters degree that is specifically "Automotive Technology". However, it is possible for a graduate student to be awarded a scholarship from the automotive & diesel technology department for extenuating circumstances. For example, if the graduate student did not have the opportunity to participate in a graduate assistantship, but the student has a substantial financial need and has agreed to complete some individual work for the automotive program.
Apply on-line as described above. Note: A student must first apply for admission into the university before they can apply for a scholarship. Therefore, complete the on-line application for admission into the institution, then complete the on-line scholarship scholarship application.
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