Search | Menu 
Ready to Learn More?
If you’d like to learn more about the Air Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Technology (HVAC) program, we’d love to talk with you.
We’re here to answer any questions and guide you through our application process step-by-step.
Send us your contact information, and we’ll help you get started right away!
Financial Aid Available
Program Transfers
-
Program Overview
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) equipment is essential in all aspects of modern society from your home to businesses like retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores and hospitals. HVAC/R equipment also is critical in the industrial manufacturing process. Knowing how to build, install, maintain and fix them is a critical skill that is in great demand by employers. As a student in the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology program, you will:
- Learn skills necessary to program, assemble, install, troubleshoot, repair and modify machinery.
- Receive hands-on training on residential and commercial (HVAC/R) systems.
- Training in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC).
- Size and design HVAC/R systems used in residential and commercial applications.
- Understand the applications of building automation systems.
- Use a variety of computer and electronically controlled systems in both manufacturing and facilities environments.
Program Details
Students in the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology program can attend full or part time.
Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology classes are offered at our Madison Truax campus.
As an Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology student in the Associate Degree in Applied Science program, you will receive a required tool kit in the second year of the program that includes all equipment and supplies needed to complete this program. The kits will be covered by the second year course fees.
Careers
Earning your two-year Associate Degree in Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology at Madison College prepares you for valuable work as:
- HVAC/R Service Technician
- HVAC/R Systems Designer
- HVAC/R Systems Installer
- Building Automation / Controls Technician
- Building Automations System Designer
- Building Automations System Installer
- Lead Facilities Mechanic
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
- Facilities / Maintenance Manager
- Mechanical Systems Engineer
- HVAC/R Project Coordinator
-
Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
First SemesterSecond SemesterThird SemesterFourth Semester -
Admission
To Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.
Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
- Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
- Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Air Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Technology (HVAC) career.
-
Transfer Opportunities
Wisconsin Private Schools
Completion of an A.A.S. Degree at Madison College after 2015, and meeting admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a B.B.A degree in Technical Sales at MSOE. -
Career Outcomes
Madison College Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology program graduates are prepared with the following skills:
Technical Skills
- Assemble and install HVAC/Refrigeration components
- Troubleshoot HVAC/Refrigeration systems
- Service HVAC/Refrigeration systems
- Evaluate HVAC/Refrigeration system designs
- Implement safety and regulation codes
- Practice job-site skills such as written and verbal communication to customers, co-workers, and supervisors
-
Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 5 4 3 Number of Surveys Sent 5 4 3 Number of Surveys Returned 3 2 3 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 3 2 3 Percent Available for Employment 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 3 2 2 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 100.0% 66.7% Employed in Related Occupation 3 2 2 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 0 0 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 0 1 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 0.0% 33.3% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3 3 3.7 Number of Satisfaction Responses 3 2 3 Very Satisfied (4) 0 0 2 Percent Very Satisfied 0.0% 0.0% 66.7% Satisfied (3) 3 2 1 Percent Satisfied 100.0% 100.0% 33.3% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 3 2 3 Preparation for Getting a Job Percent Preparation for Getting a Job Career Change Percent Career Change Improvement of Existing Skills Percent Improvement of Existing Skills Preparation for Further Education Percent Preparation for Further Education Personal Interest Percent Personal Interest Other Percent Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 3 2 2 Before Enrollment 1 0 2 Percent Before Enrollment 33.3% 0.0% 100.0% While Attending the College 1 0 0 Percent While Attending the College 33.3% 0.0% 0.0% After Training at the College 1 2 0 Percent After Training at the College 33.3% 100.0% 0.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 3 2 2 In College District 3 2 1 Percent In College District 100.0% 100.0% 50.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 1 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 50.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 3 2 2 Average Monthly Wage $4,788 $3,307 $4,049 Average Hourly Wage $27.84 $19.23 $23.54 Average Work Hours per Week 43.3 40.0 47.5 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count Average Hourly Wage Average Work Hours per Week -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Chiller Consultant Service Refrigeration Service Technician Dousman Harker Heating and Cooling Service Technician * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu
