What Is GMASEP?

The General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program or GMASEP is a structured, two-year auto training program that provides students with classroom instruction as well as practical, hands-on learning.

GMASEP is a collaboration between General Motors, local GM-affiliated dealerships, and Northern Virginia Community College. Students spend half of the semester in the classroom and the other half working at their sponsoring dealership.

It is the perfect opportunity for students to earn money while going to school.

At the end of the two years (five semesters), students earn an associate's degree and 80% of the requirements needed to be certified GM technicians. Many continue working at the dealerships after they graduate.

View the GMASEP Informational Booklet.

View the President Obama highlighting GMASEP at NOVA.

Getting Started

Anyone interested in GMASEP should first contact the program coordinator who will meet one-on-one with student candidates to review the ins and outs of GMASEP. Candidates will then be asked to take three tests: The English placement test, the math placement test, and the GMASEP entrance test. Candidates will also be required to attend an orientation session. If candidates are admitted into the program, they will then be required to find a sponsoring dealership that is willing to employ the candidates for the duration of the program. A sponsor must be obtained no later than the beginning of the second semester, and students are highly encouraged to find a sponsor prior to even starting the first day of class. Students unable to find a sponsor by the deadline will not be permitted to continue in GMASEP.

Click here for a Getting Started Checklist.

Click here to apply to NOVA.

Sponsorship

After students are officially accepted into the program, they begin the process of finding a sponsor. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain his or her own sponsor, but the GMASEP Coordinator can assist with the search.

Obtaining a sponsorship is like trying to get hired for a job, so students should not dress in garage shop clothes. If they have a résumé, they should bring that to the interview. Once a student has obtained a sponsorship, he or she should inform the GMASEP Coordinator.

The amount a student is paid for the internship is something the dealership and the student mutually agree upon. There is no standard amount. Some may pay more than others.

If a student loses his or her sponsorship, it is up to the student to find another sponsor.

Again, a sponsorship should be considered as a full time job meaning students should act professionally and responsibly.

It can often be difficult for students to find another sponsorship if they lose one; therefore, students should do their best to keep their sponsorship once they get one.

Cost

The cost for the GMASEP automotive program will vary slightly from person to person. Students will need to pay normal tuition rates, as well as the cost of books and tools. Students should also purchase their own set of automotive tools, which can cost as much as $2,500 in some cases. Students who already own many of their automotive tools may find this cost significantly lower.

Financial aid is also available for students who need assistance paying tuition, and students are encouraged to pay particular attention to application deadlines. More information on financial aid can be found here.

Courses

Click for a list of courses GMASEP students are required to take as they work towards their associate of applied science degree.