Program Description 2004-2006
The General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) is a two-year program designed to upgrade the technical competence and professional level of the incoming dealership technician.  The curriculum, designed by Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) and General Motors (GM), leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Automotive Technology.  The program involves attending classroom lectures and labs on GM products at the College and requires the student to work at a General Motors dealership.

The total program lasts 21 months, including the summer between the first and second years, with over half of that time spent in a GM sponsoring dealership.  The first semester involves eight weeks at NVCC followed by an eight-week internship at the dealership.  After the dealer experience has been completed, the student returns to NVCC for the next semester and another eight weeks of courses, followed by eight more weeks at the dealership.  The classroom/work experience rotation continues until program completion.  The internship at the dealership relates as much as possible to the course work just completed at NVCC.

The GMASEP program requires that each student be employed by a sponsoring GM dealer.  If necessary, the student will receive some assistance in locating a sponsoring dealer.  The main responsibility of the dealership is to provide employment with "real world" occupational technical experience for the student during his/her cooperative education.  The student may work part-time at the dealership while attending classes if it does not interfere with studies.

Dealers who have participated in GMASEP find that students begin earning their way at the dealership in the second semester.  Students who have graduated can often rival the performance of technicians with three to five years of experience.

The sophistication, professionalism, and competence required in today's automotive service field demand such a program.  The program requires significant effort for student success; however, the benefits are worth this.  The skill, knowledge, and potential of those who complete the program are far superior to most other automotive programs.  The balance of qualities obtained form a basis from which the graduate can develop and progress within the dealer's organization.

Requirements for Entry into ASEP

1. Fill out and submit an application to Northern Virginia Community College.  Deliver it to the Admissions and Records Office, Room 229, Bisdorf Building, Alexandria Campus or mail it to Admissions and Records Office, NVCC Alexandria Campus, 3001 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA  22311.
   
2. Fill out and submit a "Candidate Application Form" to the GMASEP Coordinator, Room 352, Bisdorf Building, Alexandria Campus or mail it to GMASEP Coordinator, NVCC Alexandria Campus, Engineering Building, 3001 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA  22311.
   
3. Sign up for one of the GMASEP testing dates.  Selection of dates may be determined by calling the GMASEP Coordinator, 703-845-6532 or 703-845-6341.  Testing will consist of three portions of the Differential Aptitude Test, Abstract Reasoning, Mechanical Reasoning and Space Relations as well as NVCC's Math and English placement tests.  Tests will take approximately five hours including breaks.  A signed release form will be required in order that the test results may be shared with the dealer(s) who will be interviewing prospective students.
   
4. Obtain the test results from the GMASEP Coordinator be calling 703-845-6532.
   
5. Begin the process of obtaining a GM dealer sponsor.  A lists of participating GM dealers will be provided to the student by the GMASEP Coordinator.
   
6. The GMASEP Coordinator will assist the student in the dealership sponsor process if needed.  Students are encouraged to obtain sponsorship with a dealer in close proximity to their home.
   
7. As soon as a dealer agrees to sponsor a prospective student, this information must be given to the GMASEP Coordinator.
   
8. If the prospective student has previous college work, an official copy of the transcript must be mailed from the original college to the Office of Admissions and Records, NVCC Alexandria Campus, 3001 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA  22311.
   
9. Upon receiving satisfactory scores on the entrance tests and sponsorship by a GM dealer, the student will be notified of his/her selection to the GMASEP program and will be sent details about registration, tuition, books and tools.

Financial Planning Guide

ESTIMATED STUDENT COSTS:

Sub Total Books:  $1,040.00

Sub Total Tools:  $2,500.00

Sub Total Tuition: $8640.00

TWO YEAR TOTAL:  $12,180.00 - NOTE: All costs are estimates!  Tuition based on 2004/05 rates.

TOOL REQUIREMENTS
All automotive students are required to have a set of basic hand tools for participation in automotive lab classes.

Generally speaking, automotive technicians are expected to supply their own tools on the job.  An experienced technician's tool collection reflects an investment over time of thousands of dollars.  Additional tool purchases are needed each year to broaden the technician’s capabilities and to keep up with the changing technologies.  The tool requirements/expectations for an entry-level technician (such as a recent NVCC graduate) will vary from dealer to dealer; however, even a comprehensive starter set could be a significant investment. 

TOOL PURCHASE PROGRAM
To assist students with their tool requirements, NVCC works with local tool suppliers to make available to the student, a choice of several tool sets (from basic to quite large) at a significantly reduced cost.  The tool program is completely optional and there are no requirements for students to purchase tools through this program.  Neither NVCC nor any of it's staff members receive any form of compensation for this program.  For additional information on how to participate in this program, contact any of the automotive staff.

*All tool costs are estimates. Purchase of tools may be deferred until later in the program.

ESTIMATED STUDENT EARNINGS:

Based on 40 hour week at an hourly wage of $7.50 for the first year and $8.00 for the second year

Gross        ($7.50/hr)

Earnings      $2400                   $2400              $4800              $2560              $2560    

TWO-YEAR TOTAL:  $14,720

NOTE:  Students typically will work at the dealership 12 weeks or more each semester.  Therefore, their income can be higher.

Financial Aid Services

NVCC strives to ensure that no one be denied the opportunity of attending the College for financial reasons.  The financial aid program provides a variety of ways for students to get funds for college.  Financial aid counselors at each campus provide information about financial aid programs, application procedures and eligibility.

Applications for financial aid are available from the Financial Aid Office on campus.  APPLICATION MUST BE MADE ON THE HOME CAMPUS AND SHOULD BE MADE WELL IN ADVANCE FOR THE SEMESTER FOR WHICH ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED.  Applicants for all aid programs, including loans, must file a Financial Aid Form (FAF) through the College Board.  Completed applications received before the college deadline will receive priority consideration.

Additional information on scholarships, grants, loans, and on campus employment may be found in the current Financial Aid Brochure or by contacting the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid Office for the Alexandria Campus is located in the Bisdorf Building, room AA134; phone # 703-845-6350.

Veteran's Advisor, AA 134; phone # 703-845-6352

Courses Required

Associate in Applied Science Degree in Automotive Technology
This curriculum leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Automotive Technology, which is the first step to a career at a General Motors Dealership.

It is important that the student talks to the ASEP counselor concerning selected classes in the curriculum.

Fall Semester 1

AUT 111         Automotive Engines I…………………………………4 credits

AUT 241         Automotive Electricity I………………………………4 credits

MTH 103         Basic Technical Math………………………………....3 credits

ENG 111         English Composition OR

ENG 131         Technical Writing……………………………………...3 credits  

AUT 297         Cooperative Education-Field Experience……………...2 credits

           Total Academic and Coop Credits.........16 credits

                                                Spring Semester 2

AUT 112         Automotive Engines II…………………………………4 credits

AUT 242         Automotive Electricity II………………………………4 credits

AUT 267         Automotive Suspensions and Brakes…………………..4 credits

SPD 110          Introduction to Speech Communications………………3 credits

AUT 297         Cooperative Education-Field Experience………………2 credits

           Total Academic and Coop Credits.........17 credits

                                              Summer Semester 3

AUT 236         Automotive Climate Control……………………………4 credits

AUT 297         Cooperative Education-Field Experience……………….2 credits

           Total Academic and Coop Credits..........6 credits

                                                  Fall Semester 4

AUT 121         Automotive Fuel Systems I……………………………..4 credits

AUT 141         Automotive Power trains I……………………………....4 credits

AUT 266         Automotive Steering and Alignment……………………4 credits

PSY 120          Human Relations………………………………………..3 credits

PED 116          Fitness and Wellness……………………………………1 credit

AUT 297         Cooperative Education-Field Experience……………….2 credits

           Total Academic and Coop Credits.........18 credits

                                                Spring Semester 5

AUT 122         Automotive Fuel Systems II…………………………….4 credits

AUT 142         Automotive Powertrains II……………………………...4 credits

AUT 245         Automotive Electronics…………………………………4 credits

HIS 121           U S History I…………………………………………….3 credits

PED 113          Lifetime Activities………………………………………1 credit

AUT 297         Cooperative Education-Field Experience……………….2 credits

           Total Academic and Coop Credits………………...18 credits

           Total ASEP Academic credit………………………65 credits

           Coop………………………12 credits

 

ASEP Two Year Block Schedule

Semester	Credits	1st 8-Week	2nd 8-Week
First Semester
AUT 111	4	Aug 21, 2006 to Oct 20, 2004	Oct 18, 2006 to Dec 18, 2006
AUT 241	4
Phy 101	3
SPD 110	3
AUT 297	2
Second Semester
AUT 112	4	Jan 15, 2007 to Mar 11, 2007	Mar 19, 2004 to May 14, 2007
AUT 242	4
AUT 267	4
ENG 131	3
AUT 297	2
Third Semester
AUT 236	4	May 21, 2007 to July 16, 2007	When not in class, students will work at dealership.
AUT 297	2
		At Dealership	On Campus
Fourth Semester
AUT 121	4	Aug 2007 to Oct 2007	Oct 2007 to Dec 2007
AUT 141	4
AUT 266	4
PSY 120	3
PED 116	1
AUT 297	2
Fifth Semester
AUT 122	4	Jan 2008 to Mar  2008	Mar  2008 to May 2008
AUT 142	4
AUT 245	4
HIS 121	3
PED 113	1
AUT 297	2
Totals	77 cr.	40 weeks	40 weeks

* 4th and 5th Semester dates approximate - college has not set dates yet.
** Dates given for dealership are dates determined by the college for the semester. Most students will work at the dealership through holidays until classes resume.

 

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