Imagine an audio and video system that looks as amazing as it sounds. Now, imagine you built it with your own hands. If you have the desire to do just that, or hope to simply conquer ohm's law, then it might be time to further your mobile electronics education. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, with the price of college tuition these days), you won't find the proper training for this field at a four-year university. However, there are several trade schools that can help you start your career and achieve your goals. Truckin' explored these different schools to help you find a place to develop or master the requisite skills needed for this field.
List of mobile electronics schools:
Acoustic Edge Institute (AEI),
established in 2001
acousticedge.com
Oklahoma City, OK (866) 813-3343,
Houston, TX, (866) 634-3343,
and coming soon to Chicago, IL
Installer Institute (II),
established in 1990,
installerinstitute.com
Holly Hill, FL (800) 354-6782
Metro Auto Electronics (MAE),established in 1996,
metro-auto.com
Kenilworth, NJ, (800) 649-METRO.
Mobile Dynamics (MD),
established in 1990,
mobiledynamics.com
Tempe, AZ, (800) 610-2122, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, (800) 325-0568
Mobile Technical Training (MTT),
established in 2000,
mobiletechtraining.com
South Hackensack, NJ (877) 832-4682.
Classes Offered:
AEI
Multimedia (home theater and home security) four weeks
Mobile Electronics Installation, four weeks
Custom Fabrication, four weeks
Custom Interiors, four weeks
II
Graduate Certification Program, five weeks
Advanced Certification Program, five weeks
MAE
Mobile Electronics
Custom Fabrication
Enclosure Design
MD
"Phase" Program, eight weeks
How to start your own business.
Custom Home Audio and Video Installation, one week
MTT
Segments 1-4 Installation
Segments 5-8 Fabrication
Custom Upholstery Course
| AMOUNT OF HANDS-ON TRAINING: | |
| AEI | 80% |
| II | 68% |
| MAE | 70% |
| MD | 50% |
| MTT | 75% |
Cost of program:
AEI Acoustic Edge classes run from $3,700 for one course, to $13,900 for all four courses (or $3,475 per course).
II Installer Institute's program cost is $10,299 to include housing, MECP Basic Study Guide, MECP Basic Exam (first try), MECP Advanced Study Guide and Exam (first try), Basic and Advanced tool kits (17 tools in total) and a Porta-Calculator that is used as a handheld box-building program. A student will have no other expenses to pay in order to attend classes.
MAE Metro Auto Electronics programs starting out at $2,500 and up.
MD Mobile Dynamics has several courses available for various budgets. Students can choose a program that best suits their needs. The school's most popular program is the eight-week hands-on training package that costs $7,499. This price includes all school materials and books.
MTT Mobile Technical Training's Mobile Electronics and Fabrication course is $6,370, plus lab fees. Custom Upholstery course is $2,800, plus lab fees.
Financing Available:
AEI Yes, with several options.
II Yes, with several options.
MAE Yes, with opportunities for everyone through federal financial aid, student loans, parent plus loans, and Pell grants.
MD Yes, Sallie Mae-one of the largest student loan providers in the U.S. Out of state students can opt to include accommodations, travel, and living expenses in their loans.
MTT Yes, through Sallie Mae and other agencies, such as Dept. of Veteran Affairs, DVR, GI Bill, and unemployment. Payment plans are also available.