Search | Menu Short-term Early College Academies allow high school students to explore career pathways and preview the college experience.
When you enroll in one of these academies, you’ll attend Madison College and take courses related to your career interests. You’ll complete all other classes, including general education requirements, at your current high school.
These programs offer the best of both worlds, giving you an early taste of college life while still allowing you to participate in the high school experience with the rest of your graduating class.
Short-Term Academies by Area of Interest
Your course load and schedule will vary depending on the academy you choose and may include in-person, online and/or hybrid classes.
- Business, Marketing and Real Estate
Business Generalist
6 Courses, 19 Credits | Technical Diploma
Develop valuable foundational business skills—from accounting and finance to marketing and spreadsheet applications—and explore various business career paths. You’ll also earn transferable credits that provide a head start on your associate and/or bachelor’s degree.
Preview Business Generalist Curriculum
Business Startup Basics
5 Courses, 14 Credits | Certificate
Learn the core principles needed to create marketing and financial plans for small business ventures and provide first-rate customer service. You’ll study small business development, operations management, artificial intelligence (AI) for small business marketing and more.
Preview Business Startup Basics Curriculum
Essentials of Microsoft Office
4 Courses, 6 Credits | Certificate and Professional Certification (Testing Required)
Master Microsoft Windows, Outlook, Access and Office. These skills can help you get hired, earn a promotion or increase your efficiency in today’s busy workplace. The software proficiency you develop through this academy will also prepare you for Microsoft Office Specialist certification.
Preview Essentials of Microsoft Office Curriculum
Marketing Essentials
4 Courses, 11 Credits | Certificate
Broaden your knowledge of the marketing industry and hone the skills you need to manage marketing and social media initiatives. You’ll also gain proficiency using software for business applications and prepare for roles such as marketing assistant and marketing support specialist.
Preview Marketing Essentials Curriculum
Marketing – Social Media
5 Courses, 15 Credits | Technical Diploma
Explore social media principles, search engine optimization (SEO) practices, web considerations for marketers and the latest mobile marketing techniques. You’ll also gain practical experience as you learn how to develop a marketing campaign with both traditional and digital channels.
Preview Marketing – Social Media Curriculum
Real Estate Sales
4 Courses, 14 Credits | Certificate and State Licenses (Testing Required)
Learn how to manage real estate and develop effective sales and social media skills. Your training includes an internship with 140 hours of work experience and prepares you for the exams required for your Wisconsin Real Estate Salesperson and Real Estate Broker licenses.
- Construction, Manufacturing and Maintenance
Basic Industrial Power (Industrial Maintenance)
6 Courses, 12 Credits | Technical Diploma
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to safely assist a mechanic in repairing, overhauling, installing, testing and inspecting pneumatic and hydraulic systems. You’ll also complete the requirements to obtain your Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 card.
Preview Basic Industrial Power Curriculum
Carpentry Techniques
6 Courses, 13 Credits | Technical Diploma
Get hands-on training in the core skills needed to enter the construction workforce. This program will give you an understanding of key construction processes, such as floor, wall, ceiling and roof framing as well as installation of shingles, windows, doors, exterior trim, siding and more.
Preview Carpentry Techniques Curriculum
Construction Essentials
4 Courses, 5 Credits | Technical Diploma
Build a solid foundational knowledge of basic construction processes, including identification and safe use of hand and portable power tools. You will also earn an industry-recognized certification and receive your OSHA 10 Card, demonstrating you are ready for entry-level construction jobs.
Preview Construction Essentials Curriculum
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
5 Courses, 7 Credits | Technical Diploma
Interpret engineering drawings and blueprints, and gain fundamental skills to set up and operate gas metal arc welding equipment in a welding manufacturing environment. You’ll also learn and apply industry-accepted safe working practices and communication strategies.
Welding Fundamentals
5 Courses, 7 Credits | Certificate
Develop the basic skills and knowledge required to launch a career in the welding industry. You’ll start with core classes every welder needs and then choose an area of focus: gas metal arc welding (GMAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) or gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).
- Education and Hospitality
Basic Early Childhood Educator
3 Courses, 9 Credits | Technical Diploma
Delve into key concepts within early childhood education—including health, safety, nutrition, social sciences, art and music—and learn how to guide children’s behavior. Upon completion, you’ll be prepared for such roles as child care center teacher, family child care provider or nanny.Preview Basic Early Childhood Educator Curriculum
Hospitality Assistant
4 Courses, 12 Credits; Credential: Technical Diploma
Prepare for a career in the leisure service industry, including hospitality and tourism roles. This program will highlight industry trends, help hone your customer service and communication skills, and improve your writing abilities with an emphasis on critical reading and thinking. - Emergency Services
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
2 Courses, 5 Credits | Technical Diploma + State EMT Licensure and National EMT Certification (Testing Required)
Develop critical thinking skills; learn anatomy, physiology and basic airway management; perform and document patient assessments; and understand the needs of special populations. You’ll also prepare for the national EMT registry exam and state licensure as an EMT Basic.
Fire Service Certification
3 Courses, 10 Credits | Technical Diploma + State Firefighter I and II Certification, State EMT Licensure and National EMT Certification (Testing Required)
Train to conquer the physical and academic challenges you will be tested on in state and national certification exams. This program prepares you to achieve State of Wisconsin Firefighter I and II certification, state EMT Basic licensure and national EMT certification.
Preview Fire Service Curriculum
NextGen Responder Academies
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
1 Course, 3 Credits | State EMR Licensure and National EMR Certification (Testing Required)
Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to provide immediate lifesaving interventions at the scene of emergencies or sudden illness. As part of your training, you’ll earn your Basic Life Support CPR credential and prepare for national certification and state licensure as an EMR.
NextGen Responders Academy: Fire Recruit
1 Course, 5 Credits | State Firefighter I and II Certification (Testing Required)
This physically and academically challenging course features 200 hours of firefighter training. The knowledge and skills you’ll develop in the academy will prepare you for the Wisconsin Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification examinations as well as a fire service internship. - Health Sciences
Healthcare Customer Service
4 Courses, 11 Credits | Certificate
Gain the skills you need to succeed in entry-level customer service roles within healthcare organizations. This program covers the foundations of customer service and medical administrative procedures, and introduces you to relevant medical language.Preview Healthcare Customer Service Curriculum
Nursing Assistant
1 Course, 3 Credits | Technical Diploma + State Certification (Testing Required)
In this one-semester course, you’ll develop communication, basic nursing and personal care skills and gain an understanding of clients’ rights and how to care for patients with dementia. Upon completion, you’ll be eligible to take the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry certification exam.Preview Nursing Assistant Curriculum
Phlebotomist/Specimen Processor
2 Courses, 3 Credits | Technical Diploma
Through classroom instruction and hands-on lab work, you’ll be trained in how to safely draw blood from a patient for clinical or medical testing, transfusions, donations or research. You’ll also learn how to prepare and process patient specimens and perform lab tests. - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Biotechnology Laboratory Support Assistant
5 Courses, 9 Credits | Technical Diploma
Learn how to perform lab tests and work with bacteria, DNA, proteins and mammalian cell cultures in state-of-the-art laboratories. You’ll also develop the practical skills needed to succeed in today's biotech job market, including communication, safety and regulatory compliance.Preview Biotechnology Laboratory Support Assistant Curriculum
IT – Introduction to Software Development
2 Courses, 6 Credits | Certificate
Prepare for entry-level software developer positions with this overview of programming languages and tools. You’ll learn how to program with JavaScript, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Structured Query Language (SQL) and more.Preview Introduction to Software Development Curriculum
IT – Service Center Technician
2 Courses, 6 Credits | Certificate
Learn how to install, configure and administer computer operating systems in an enterprise office environment. You’ll also study networking architecture, structure and functions, and you’ll have opportunities to practice your new skills through hands-on and simulated activities. - Video and Visual Storytelling
Video Production
5 Courses, 14 Credits | Certificate
Experiment with video production tools and communication strategies that take advantage of video’s unique capabilities. Using your own video equipment, you’ll learn how to plan and create engaging videos with advanced production techniques in lighting, sound and editing.
Preview Video Production Curriculum
Visual Storytelling
5 Courses, 12 Credits | Certificate
Prepare for a career in multimedia communications by developing the technical skills and story ideas you need to create compelling narratives. With training in videography, photography and social media communications, this program will help you master the art of visual storytelling.
Talk to your high school counselor to see which programs your district offers through Start College Now.
Are you homeschooled or attend a private charter school? Academies are for you, too! Contact our Early College team to learn more.