NOTICE OF INTENT Approval of Proposal to Implement the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Automobile Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology; Montana State University-Billings, College of Technology

THAT: The Board of Regents of Higher Education authorizes Montana State University-Billings, College of Technology to award the Associate of Applied Science degree in Automobile Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology.

EXPLANATION: Automobile Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology has received (NIASE) Automotive Service Excellence certification, evaluated by (NATEF) National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, Inc. NATEF is a prestigious national organization that certifies automotive training programs. A logical progression for the Automobile Collision Repair and Refinishing program is the A.A.S. degree. Many students, as well as employers, have expressed an interest in obtaining an A.A.S. degree in the Collision Repair/Refinishing program. The new four-year degree options available to students of the College of Technology with an A.A.S. degree has given many students an avenue to obtain higher education goals.