8 Best Auto Mechanic Schools in Houston, TX

Established in 1971, Houston Community College (HCC) is an educational hub serving educational needs in the Greater Houston area.

The college was created under the governance of the Houston Independent School District and was restructured as a multi-college system in 1992.

It offers quality and affordable education for academic advancement, career development, lifelong learning, and workforce training.

The school prepares students to succeed in a global and technological society.

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, HCC focuses on equitable delivery of relevant, high-quality education and training.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

The Automotive Program at HCC is an Associate of Applied Science with a Level 1 Certificate.

The program offers high-tech training with cutting-edge instruction.

It utilizes the latest equipment and technology, preparing technicians to repair and troubleshoot complex car problems.

It is certified by NATEF, and instructors are also certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) to ensure students receive education from the best.

Here are the skills students will acquire throughout the program:

• Competent in suspension and automotive brake services procedures.
• Skilled in automotive automatic and manual transmission service and related systems.
• Knows how to repair automotive engines and replacement service procedures.
• Competent in automotive electrical and electronic systems service and design.
• Know how to repair automotive air conditioning service.
• Students will acquire technical skills and professional work habits needed to thrive in the automotive repair industry.

The school also has several partnerships with well-known automotive brands, such as Audi, Subaru, Ford, Toyota, AC Delco, AVI, and BG, to enhance its programs further.

The Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Houston is located near downtown Houston.

It provides a dynamic learning environment with frequent campus tours for interested individuals.

The school is in a 220,000-square-foot training space with 45 laboratories to ensure students have enough space to train rigorously.

The school’s core program is technicians in the diesel, automotive, welding, and collision repair industries.

Additionally, after finishing the core program, qualified graduates can pursue Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training focusing on BMW, Ford, and Cummins diesel engines.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

UTI Houston provides comprehensive Automotive Technology training, a 51-week program preparing students for successful automotive careers.

The curriculum covers diverse topics, including engine service, powertrains, electronic systems, and advanced technologies.

It blends online instruction with hands-on experience and mirrors real-world scenarios.

Graduates receive an associate degree and can pursue ASE certifications.

Here are the skills students will learn in the program with domestic and imported vehicles:

• Automotive Engines Service & Repair
• Automotive Climate Control Systems & Repair
• Automotive Powertrains & Transmissions
• Automotive Power/Performance & Emissions Repair
• Vehicle Steering & Suspension Service & Repair
• Vehicle Brake Systems
• Vehicle Electronic Systems & Technology
• Advanced Technology/Hybrid & Service Advising
• Professional Automotive Service Writing

UTI Houston also offers personalized training programs such as the 15-week Ford Accelerated Credential Training and the 12-week BMW FastTrack program.

This specialized training allows students to enhance their skills with industry-specific expertise.

With over 30 years of industry expertise, the School of Automotive Machinists & Technology (SAM Tech) is a leading machining and technical education institution.

It provides practical courses on CNC machining, cylinder head porting, engine block machining, short-block assembly, and EFI tuning.

It has several partnerships with employers in the racing industry, such as NASCAR, NHRA, IndyCar, and automotive manufacturing, including GM, Ferrea, CP-Carrillo, Wiseco, and many others, to provide job placement for graduates.

SAM Tech is committed to providing students with practical problem-solving, decision-making, leadership abilities, and critical thinking skills to be successful in the automotive industry.

Small class sizes and engagement give students essential skills in CNC machining, calibration, engine building, and more.

Its unwavering dedication to excellence in motorsport and machining education is shown in its focus on student success and lifelong learning.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

SAM Tech offers several automotive programs, including an Associate Degree Program in Automotive Engine/Block & Cylinder Head Machining.

The program will prepare students to qualify as automotive block and cylinder head machinists.

It emphasizes machining processes and the theory of modern automotive engines.

It caters to individuals aspiring to work in the automotive industry, blending classroom education with hands-on lab instruction.

The curriculum covers essential subjects such as:

• Engine block work practices.
• Machinist math.
• Principles of engine blocks, design, disassembly & inspection
  machining equipment operation.
• Blueprinting, assembly, and dynamometer testing.
• Cylinder Head component.

Additionally, students undergo career development planning and general education courses in English composition, communication, sociology, college algebra, and physics to provide a well-rounded educational experience.

The program ensures students are well-prepared for success as automotive machinists with comprehensive knowledge and hands-on skills.

Lone Star College–North Harris was formerly a North Harris College, NHC, established in 1972.

Over the years, it became a prominent community college within the Lone Star College system.

The school significantly shaped the educational landscape in Harris County, TX, by dedicating its time and resources to providing high-quality education in the region.

It is more than just an educational institution; it has become a hub for learning excellence, offering more than 110 programs, certifications, and associate degrees in diverse fields of study.

It offers various programs such as automotive technology and aviation management to integrated technologies, cosmetology, criminal justice, engineering technology, and more.

Lone Star College–North Harris’s commitment to education excellence empowers and transforms students’ lives in the heart of Harris County.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

Lone Star College’s Automotive Technician Certificate Program is a non-credit Continuing Education (CE) ICLC-eligible certificate.

It is accredited by the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation accreditation and the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.

The program focuses on industry-specific training, instilling students with technical expertise and behavioral skills needed to thrive in the automotive industry.

Here are the courses and contact hours details:

• Automotive Technology, Introduction (112 hours)
• Automotive Electrical Systems (112 hours)
• Automotive Brake Systems (112 hours)

Upon completion, students can also pursue additional automotive studies that lead to an Automotive Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree using its certification credits.

Baraba Jordan Career Center is a public vocational school, formerly Baraba Jordan High School for Careers, named after Barbara Jordan, an influential politician.

It was a self-contained secondary school before becoming part of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) in July 2018.

In 2015, the school transitioned from a career magnet to a regional career hub and will not accept full-time enrolled students.

After the transition, it offers real-world experiences in various professions, including Auto/Diesel, Construction Management, Audio/Visual, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, TEM (Electronics), Welding, and more.

The school’s dedicated faculty and staff at BJCC are committed to making it the premier school within Houston ISD.

Its goal is to provide students with exceptional opportunities in high-interest, high-demand advanced technical fields.

It includes access to local non-paid internships, opportunities for state and national licensures, certifications, dual credit courses, and statewide articulations.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

BJCC’s Automotive Technology Program will provide comprehensive training in automotive diagnosis and repair experience principles.

The program will equip students with basic and advanced technical skills and essential work ethics to ensure retained employment in automotive and related fields.

The program covers the following areas of study:

• Braking Systems
• Steering and Suspension Systems
• all-wheel alignment
• engine overhaul
• basic electricity, including starting and charging systems.

To ensure a well-rounded education, students will use advanced test equipment to diagnose charging, fuel injection, ignition, and computerized engine control systems.

Upon completion, students will earn the following certificates:

• ASE Student – Maintenance and Light Repair
• ASE Student – Electrical
• ASE Student – Brakes
• ASE Student – Steering and Suspension

San Jacinto College was established in 1961, serving the east Harris County, TX.

It greatly impacted the region while upholding excellence and collaboration, allowing students to succeed in their chosen fields.

The institution started with two rented buildings in downtown Pasadena, growing into five campuses.

Over the years, its journey has been filled with many accomplishments; 90,000 graduates across 200-plus programs are included in the nation’s Top 5 community colleges.

Since its inception, San Jacinto College has evolved alongside the community, adapting to its changes and growth.

From establishing the initial campus to introducing two bachelor’s degrees, it consistently addressed the community’s needs, reciprocating mutual support.

San Jacinto College achieved full accreditation from the Association of Texas Colleges and Universities, marking its inaugural college in the state to attain such recognition within two years of inception.

The school secured accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools three years later.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

The Automotive Technology program of San Jacinto College addresses the evolving complexities of the automotive field through its hands-on training.

It is aligned with the eight areas of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) to produce certified and skilled technicians.

The program incorporates instructional lectures, in-class demonstrations, and practical lab exercises, enhancing students’ readiness for the workforce transition.

It also offers Earn While You Learn initiative, where students can gain real-world experience in the automotive field while pursuing their education.

The curriculum focuses on imparting knowledge of theory, component identification, and diagnostic procedures, enriching critical thinking skills crucial for effective vehicle diagnostics and success in ASE exams.

Furthermore, the program emphasizes hands-on experience to ensure students receive the necessary training and development for their professional journey.

C.E. King High School is part of the Sheldon Independent School District, with a history dating back to 1952.

It was named after an investor in Houston, Cortes Ewing King. The school has evolved into a comprehensive high school since its establishment in 1954 as C.E. King Junior-Senior High School.

It aligns with Sheldon’s mission to prioritize personal learning to enrich a collegiate environment.

The campus features collaborative space, dual credit opportunities, specialized facilities, state-of-the-art gymnasiums, an 800-seat performing arts center, and a two-story library, creating a vibrant learning environment for students.

Over the years, it has grown with numerous modern facilities spanning 550,070 square feet to ensure learners are ready for the global challenges of the 21st century.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

The Auto Mechanic Program at C.E. King High School offers a comprehensive curriculum for CTE (Career and Technical Education) learners.

It emphasizes hands-on experience, practical application of knowledge, and industry-based certifications.

The program consists of four levels:

• Principles of Transportation Systems: Introduces assessment in transportation and safe design, covering industry practices, history,  and laws.
• Automotive Basics: Understand fundamental automotive systems, environmental rules, and safety regulations, focusing on vehicle maintenance and repair.
• Automotive Tech I: Maintenance: Expands on basics, covering major systems, diagnosis principles, and servicing techniques.
• Automotive Tech II: Service: Advanced course emphasizing in-depth knowledge of automotive systems, focusing on diagnosis and servicing skills.

The program also offers associate and bachelor’s degree postsecondary education, including Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology, Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology, and Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology.

Students will also undergo internship, on-the-job training, and mentorship through Practicum in Transportation Systems and Career Preparation I courses.

Established in 1934, Lee College has been a cornerstone of education, evolving from Lee Junior College to its present-day status as a comprehensive institution.

Initially serving 177 students, the College has grown significantly, becoming integral to Baytown, Texas, and its surrounding areas.

The school successfully separated from the local public school district, gaining its Board of Regents in 1965.

It is one of the top 150 colleges in the United States by the Aspin Institute for five consecutive years.

Lee College expands its offering from over 100 associate degree and certificate programs to 12,000, including community education courses and a non-credit workforce.

Lee College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

Lee College’s Automotive Technology program is held at Stuart Career Center.

It is part of Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District (ISD), offering comprehensive certificate programs for high school dual enrollment students and the community.

The program consists of two parts:

Certificate of Completion in Auto Body Repair Technician (three-semester) covering:

• Minor Metal Repair
• Intermediate Refinishing
• Structural Analysis & Damage Repair
• Auto Body Mechanical & Electrical Service.
• Cooperative Education
• Autobody/Collision & Repair

Certificate of Completion in Automotive Technician (three-semester) covering:

• Automotive Electronics Theory
• Automotive Engine Theory
• Automotive Engine Performance Analysis
• Internships in Automobile/Automotive Mechanics