Stratford Career Institute offers adult learners the opportunity to gain mechanical skills in the areas of auto mechanics, motorcycle and ATV repair, and even small engine repair. With no campus locations available, learning at the school occurs entirely through distance education, with the cost of tuition covering all required materials, such as learning aids, exams, study guides and textbooks. These materials are all sent directly to a students’ home or location at no additional charge to them.
The school offers more than 60 distance learning courses or programs, including in business, computer technology, legal, medical and other disciplines. Most students enrolled in one of Stratford Career Institute’s programs work through their learning modules as quickly or as slowly as they find necessary. Programs are, most often, designed to be completed within one year, but may be completed in as little as six months or up to a maximum of two years.
If students have a question about their materials or program, they can simply dial a toll-free number to ask their instructors a question. Additionally, online tools provide students with another way to contact their teachers, review their grades and even to submit exams. Exams can also be sent in by mail or fax. While the school offers distance learning in a number of vocational trades, there are just three program focused on mechanics, of which the details for are listed below.
Auto mechanics
Students in this diploma-based program learn about diagnosis and performance testing of small engines as well as basic and advanced maintenance and repair. Components such as brakes, engines, lighting and steering are all covered in this six-module program, which includes:
Introduction to Auto Mechanics: In addition to learning about instruments and tools used on the job, students also learn about alternative fuels and technologies.
Automotive Technology: Students cover basic math and theory, learn about automotive systems and explore safety practices to use in the shop.
Engines: Lower- and upper end- theory and service are reviewed, as well as engine design and diagnosis and engine sealing and reassembly.
Electricity: A variety of topics, including charging systems and lighting systems, batteries and electrical accessories are included in this module’s material.
Engine Performance: Students cover a broad scope of material, ranging from electronic fuel injection and fuel delivery systems to emission control systems and detailed diagnosis and sensors.
Manual and Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles, Suspension and Steering Systems, Brakes and Passenger Comfort: In this module, components such as clutches, drum and disc brakes, four and all-wheel drive, restraint systems and wheel alignment are reviewed.
Upon completion of the auto mechanics program, qualified students have the opportunity to receive a number of different pieces of equipment and tools they may find useful in their careers, according to the school’s website. Currently, a few of these items include a timing light, professional compression tester, and a vacuum and fuel pump tester.
Motorcycle/ATV Repair
This program introduces students to the maintenance, tools, and major systems used in repairing ATVs and motorcycles. The diploma-based program comprises six modules, which include:
Getting Started in Motorcycle and ATV Repair: Types of motorcycles, first steps toward basic skills, and motorcycle gangs, clubs and racing are introduced.
Fundamentals, Service, Repair Part 1: Students learn about two-stroke and four-stroke engines, the fundamentals of electrical and electronic theory, and tools and shop equipment.
Fundamentals, Service, Repair Part 2: Cooling, ignition, fuel and lubrication systems are introduced in this module, as are tires and wheels.
Fundamentals, Service, Repair Part 3: Brakes, engine overhaul of two-stroke and four-stroke engines, and general service and tune-up are components of this module.
Motorcycle Workshop: Topics such as fuel, oils, seals, spark plugs, and torque settings are reviewed in this class.
ATV Repair: Students learn about many components essential to small engine repair, such as brake systems, engine maintenance, and tires and wheels.
Small engine repair
In this diploma-based program, students learn about the tools, parts and systems necessary to work on small engines as well as basic maintenance and repair. This diploma-based course features four modules, which include:
Basic Principles of Small Engine Repair: The fundamentals of small engine design, safety rules to follow, tools used and common repairs are covered in this course.
Servicing Small Gas Engines Part 1: Two-cycle and four-cycle engines, the basics of carburetion, engine construction and operation, and fuel and emission control systems are reviewed.
Servicing Small Gas Engines Part 2: A variety of engine systems, including cooling, ignition and lubrication, are reviewed in addition to fuel system and ignition system servicing.
Servicing Small Gas Engines Part 3: Students learn about the crankshaft and rods and bearings in this module, as well as explore small engines found in lawn equipment, garden tractors and snow throwers.
Upon completion, qualified students in the small engine repair program have the opportunity to receive equipment including a compression tester, multimeter and wireless tachometer.
Joining Stratford Career Institute
Students who choose to enroll at Stratford Career Institute will find they have access to a variety of tools online and can review grades, order an unofficial transcript, make a payment or even see when materials for a module have been shipped. Students who register for the school’s e-service can use its online library to access numerous types of resources including books, dictionaries and periodicals.
The school uses an open-entrance policy and generally only requires students to have a minimum eight years of schooling to be able to enroll. Once enrolled, students are offered several different options for tuition payment.