Automotive and Diesel Technology Associate’s Degree Near You in Jamaica, New York
AOS Degree (60 Credits)
Are you considering earning a degree in automotive and diesel technology? Choosing the right program is essential for getting comprehensive training that prepares you for a career in the automotive industry. NYADI The College of Transportation Technology offers a comprehensive Automotive and Diesel Technology degree program near you in Jamaica, New York. Learn more about this program, what it covers, and its benefits.
NYADI offers students the opportunity to gain real-world skills and earn industry-recognized certifications through our Automotive and Diesel Technology degree program. This 60-credit program is open to all applicants who meet the admission requirements and are ready to take the first step toward a rewarding automotive career.
Our programs are designed to meet the evolving needs of the automotive and diesel sectors by providing:
- A curriculum that is continuously updated based on current industry trends
- Hands-on training with the latest diagnostic and repair equipment
- Instruction from professional instructors with real-world experience
- A low faculty-to-student ratio for personalized learning
- Flexible full-time and part-time scheduling options
- Financial aid opportunities for eligible students
- Career services help graduates with exploring positions, industry connections, and resume aid
Our associate degree program consists of 60 credits (20 courses) and provides a pathway to continue education at a four-year college. We also offer a 45-credit certificate program. Many students begin with the certificate program and later transition to the associate degree by completing four additional courses.
NYADI’s Automotive and Diesel Technology program offers a career-focused education designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the automotive and diesel industries. The program combines hands-on training with classroom instruction to provide a well-rounded education. Students can complete an Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degree in as little as 16 months (full-time) or 25 months (part-time). This program emphasizes core areas of automotive, truck, diesel, and transportation systems. Students are trained in:
- Five Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation Automotive Certification areas
- Seven ASE Medium/Heavy Truck Certification areas
Students can also prepare for the student ASE certification in automotive and diesel specialties and factory certifications through partnerships with leading organizations, such as:
- Mack/Volvo
- Kenworth
- Isuzu Trucks
- Get Ahead
- NC3
- ALLDATA
Throughout the programs, students will dive deep into a variety of critical aspects. Upon completion, you will be able to perform preventative maintenance inspection and correctly test, diagnose, repair, and adjust the following components:
- Gasoline engine
- Brakes
- Steering and suspension
- Electrical/electronic system
- Diesel engine
- Heavy-duty chassis
Earning an Automotive and Diesel Technology degree from NYADI opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities in the automotive and diesel industries. Graduates are equipped with the technical skills and certifications needed to pursue high-demand roles across various sectors.
Potential career paths include:
- Auto parts store manager or owner
- Electronic systems specialist
- Fleet maintenance manager
- Heavy-duty engine repair specialist
- Heavy equipment maintenance technician
- Hybrid drive technician
- Industrial research and development specialist
- Master diesel technician
- Service advisor
Whether you’re interested in diagnostics, repair, management, or advanced vehicle systems, NYADI’s associate degree program prepares you for long-term success in the automotive and diesel fields.
As a NYADI student, you’ll also benefit from access to our career services department, which offers personalized job search assistance, resume and interview coaching, and employer networking and placement support.
According to Zip Recruiter, diesel technicians enjoy an annual salary of $64,003 on average, though the highest bracket of technicians can earn up to $95,000. Earnings for diesel technicians can vary based on their work experience and geographic location.
A career in automotive and diesel technology offers competitive pay, job stability, and the satisfaction of working in a dynamic, hands-on field. Graduates of NYADI’s Automotive and Diesel Technology degree programs are well-positioned to enter the workforce with the skills and certifications employers value.
NYADI students gain a competitive edge through:
- Stackable certifications earned through partnerships with leading industry organizations
- Training aligned with the latest automotive and diesel technology standards
- Instruction from ASE-certified professionals with real-world experience
Through NYADI’s Employment Skill Enhancement Program, students also develop essential workplace skills, including mathematics for technical applications and effective communication for customer service and business operations. These skills help graduates succeed not only in technical roles but also in customer-facing and leadership positions within the automotive and diesel industries.
To enroll in NYADI’s Automotive and Diesel Technology program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Completion of an interview with an Admissions Representative
- Demonstration of English proficiency (ability to read and write in English)
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old, or 17 with parental consent
NYADI is committed to providing equal educational opportunities. We welcome all students regardless of race, color, religion, age, gender, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or marital status.
AT100 – Performance Fundamentals
TD100 – Heavy Duty Steering & Suspension
AT105 – Manual Drive Trains & Axles
AT108 – Automotive Electrical Foundations
AT101 – Engine Repair
TD101 – Heavy Duty Braking Systems
TD102 – Diesel Engine
AT110 – Electrical/Electronic Systems
TD202 – Diesel Fuel Systems
EG101 – College Reading and Writing
AT202 – Advanced Electronic Systems
TD204 – Heavy Duty Undercarriage
AT208 – Automatic Transmissions I
AT215 – Climate Control
EG102 – Technical Communications
AT112 – Engine Electronics
AT209 – Automatic Transmissions II
TD210 – Diesel Engine Accessories
MA100 – Technical Mathematics
SS100 – The Automobile and Society
AT100 – Performance Fundamentals
This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of engine operation. Students will learn to identify engine components and to have a thorough understanding of the four-stroke cycle principle. Once engine operating principles are understood, the student will then learn to properly identify engine mechanical problems and perform pinpoint testing using state-of the-art equipment and diagnostic procedures.
TD100 – Heavy Duty Steering & Suspension
This course combines lecture and laboratory hands-on activities, focusing on the fundamental operation of medium and heavy duty vehicle steering and suspension systems. Topics discussed include safety practices, tires, wheels, wheel bearings, steering systems and suspension systems.
AT105 – Manual Drive Trains & Axles
This course provides classroom and laboratory hands-on activities concerning the theory of operation, inspection, construction, diagnosis and repair of clutch assemblies, manual transmissions/transaxles; drive lines, universal joints constant velocity joints and final drive assemblies. Students will learn to identify manual transmission components, explain fundamental operation, understand gear principles and trace power flow. Emphasis will be placed on problems solving and diagnosis of power train malfunctions.
AT108 – Automotive Electrical Foundations
This course combines lecture and laboratory hands-on activities, focusing on the fundamentals of an automobile electrical system. Emphasis will be placed on direct current electricity, basic electrical theory, series and parallel circuits, power distribution, electrical test equipment and the understanding of wiring diagrams.
AT101 – Engine Repair
This course combines lecture and laboratory hands-on activities, focusing on the fundamentals of automotive engine repair and rebuilding. Students will learn how to disassemble, diagnose, measure and repair cylinder heads, engine blocks, pistons and connecting rods, crankshafts and valve trains.
TD101 – Heavy Duty Braking Systems
This course combines lecture and laboratory hands-on activities, focusing on the fundamental operation and servicing of medium and heavy duty vehicle braking systems. Essential topics include a discussion of drum brakes, disc brakes, brake components, system operation, hydraulic and air braking systems.
TD102 – Diesel Engines
This course combines lecture and laboratory hands-on activities, focusing on the fundamentals of diesel engine repair and rebuilding. Students will learn how to disassemble, diagnose, measure and repair cylinder heads, engine blocks, pistons and connecting rods, crankshafts and valve trains on Caterpillar and Mack diesel engines.
AT110 – Electrical/Electronic Systems
This course provides classroom and laboratory hands-on activities where students building on material learned in AT108 Automotive Electrical Foundations use wiring diagrams to examine headlight, taillight, stoplight and turn/hazard light for operation and repair. Students are taught to use advanced diagnostic techniques to diagnose and repair electrical circuits associated with instrumentation, horn systems and wiper/washer systems. Students will learn on modern training aids using factory service procedures
TD202 – Diesel Fuel Systems.
This lecture/laboratory course begins with the discussion diesel engine fuel composition from crude oil to the distillation and compounding of fuels in accordance with American Petroleum Institute’s standards. Fuel delivery systems are discussed in detail including fuel tanks, pumps, fuel lines and filtration devices.
EG101 – College Reading and Writing
This course focuses on the development of critical reading and effective writing for college course work. Students are introduced to essay reading and writing that is useful for college academic programs and workplace settings. The course emphasizes the student’s ability to read and understand professional articles and essays as well as to express ideas in clear, succinct, Standard English prose in a variety of rhetorical patterns.
AT202 – Advanced Electrical Systems
This is a comprehensive lecture and laboratory class which builds on the two previous electrical/electronic courses. Emphasis is placed on the theory, operation, component identification and repair of audio and entertainment systems, power accessories such as power windows and locks, keyless entry, anti-theft systems and cruise control systems.
TD204 – Advanced Heavy Duty Undercarriage
This course combines lecture and laboratory hands-on activities, focusing on the theory of operation, construction, diagnosis and repair of heavy duty clutch assemblies, manual transmissions, drive lines and final drive assemblies. The laboratory component of the course includes the practical aspects of maintenance, troubleshooting and overhaul procedures used in heavy duty power train components.
AT208 – Automatic Transmissions I
This is a comprehensive lecture and laboratory class which focuses on the operation, diagnosis and repair of automatic transmissions and transaxles. In order to help the student understand how an automatic transmission accomplishes multiple gear ranges, power flow through the transmission will be stressed. The operation of electronic transmission controls will be discussed and diagnostic procedures will be taught and implemented.
AT215 – Climate Control
This course provides classroom and laboratory hands-on activities concerning the theory and operation of heating and air conditioning systems. Students will learn about heat transfer, temperature/pressure relationships and control systems. Heating, air conditioning and passenger comfort will be looked at using multi-zone automatic climate control trainers.
EG102 – Technical Communications
This course continues the advancement of reading and writing in the context of the technical environment in which most students will work after achieving their degrees. Students will read and write technical reports, memos, personnel commentary and other documents of value in automotive work. Students will continue to advance their skills in research-based writing and will be required to submit a research-based report.
AT112 – Engine Electronics
This lecture/laboratory course utilizes the students’ prior understanding of electrical/electronic principles to better comprehend the complex electronically controlled systems used to monitor engine operation and emission compliance. Additionally students will study the theory of operation, design and problem diagnosis of modern ignition systems.
AT209 – Automatic Transmissions II
This course provides classroom and laboratory hands-on activities concerning the inspection, construction, diagnosis and disassembly/assembly of automatic transmissions and transaxles. This builds on the material taught in AT208 Automatic Transmissions I and includes the construction, inspection and rebuilding of apply devices, planetary gear sets, oil pumps, valve bodies and one-way clutches.
TD210 Diesel Engine Accessories
This lecture/laboratory course focuses on the diesel engine accessories that aid in the enhancement of engine power, performance and lower diesel emissions. Topics discussed include air induction and exhaust systems, turbochargers, superchargers and engine braking systems.
MA100 – Technical Mathematics
This course is designed to give an overview of the mathematical skills necessary to function in a technical environment while developing reasoning and problem solving skills. Topics taught in this course, in addition to the basic arithmetic skills dealing with whole numbers, fractions and decimals; include ratios and proportions, percent’s, standard and metric measurements and conversions, angle measurements, displacement levers, proportion of volume and measurement of tolerances. An emphasis is placed on technical and automotive applications like automotive business and statistics, repair orders, engine systems, electrical systems, drive train, chassis and automobile heating, ventilation and air conditioning throughout the course.
SS100 – The Automobile and Society
Over the course of its history the automobile rapidly developed from an expensive toy for the rich into the standard for passenger transport in most of the world. In this course students will learn about the effect of the automobile on society, especially during the 20th century.
Choosing NYADI means choosing a future built on hands-on experience, expert instruction, and industry-recognized certifications. Our Automotive and Diesel Technology degree program in Jamaica, NY, helps prepare students for real-world success in a fast-growing field.
With flexible scheduling, financial aid options, and strong industry partnerships, NYADI gives you the tools to launch a rewarding career in transportation technology. Contact our admissions team today and start building your future, or attend an online information session to learn more about NYADI The College of Transportation Technology.
What programs does NYADI offer in automotive and diesel technology?
NYADI offers both a Certificate program and an Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degree program in Automotive and Diesel Technology. These programs are designed to provide hands-on training, industry certifications, and career readiness.
How long does it take to complete the associate degree?
Full-time students can complete the 60-credit program in approximately 16 months, and part-time students may finish in about 25 months.
Can I start with the certificate and continue to get the associate degree?
Yes. Many students begin with the Automotive and Diesel Technology Certificate Program (45 credits) and later transition to the associate degree by completing four additional courses.