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Program Overview
Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Technician is a one-year program at Madison College designed to provide students with skills necessary to enter the metal finishing and automotive refinishing/painting areas of the auto body and light truck trade. Students may also choose to go on to receive Madison College's Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician two-year technical diploma.
As a student in the Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Technician Program, you will:
- Learn the basic theories and principles used in the collision repair industry.
- Work with various materials and systems on late-model vehicles and the proper collision repair considerations for each.
- Exercise methods for diagnosing and resolving common collision repair issues.
- Work to develop hands-on job skills such as metal inert gas (MIG) welding, panel replacement, metal forming, sheet metal alignment and finishing, and automotive refinishing/painting.
Program Details
Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Technician program offerings begin in the fall semester of each academic year.
Students in the Auto Collision Repair and Refinish program must attend full time.
Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Technician Program classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:
- Madison - Truax
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Careers
Earning your one-year technical diploma in the Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Technician program at Madison College prepares you for valuable work as a/an:
- Auto Body Disassembler/Assistant
- Paint Prep Tech
- Detailer
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
- UniBody Repair Specialist
- Manager/Shop Owner
- Insurance Adjuster and Appraiser
- Equipment and Supplies Specialist
- Frame and Alignment Specialist
Individuals choosing to enter professions in areas other than collision repair will also benefit from skills learned in the Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Technician Program; related careers could include, but are not limited to:
- Insurance adjusting
- Welding and fabrication
- Auto glass installation
- Industrial painting
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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 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 Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Technician career.
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Career Outcomes
MATC Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Technician program graduates are prepared with the following skills:
Safety
- Use safe technique and personal protection in compliance with OSHA regulations.
Problem Solving
- Apply logic and math to troubleshoot and solve auto body repair problems.
Communication
- Communicate effectively both in oral and written format with customers, coworkers, and supervisors.
Work Ethics/Employability
- Demonstrate work ethics and professionalism by displaying initiative, positive attitude, flexibility, honesty, efficiency, and ability to work with all members of the team.
Technical Skills
- Repair or replace sheet metal and/or plastic body panels.
- Refinish vehicle to pre-accident condition.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 14 14 5 Number of Surveys Sent 14 14 5 Number of Surveys Returned 14 12 5 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 5 4 2 Percent Available for Employment 35.7% 33.3% 40.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 64.3% 66.7% 60.0% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 4 4 2 Percent of Graduates Employed 80.0% 100.0% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 3 3 2 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 75.0% 75.0% 100.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 1 1 0 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 25.0% 25.0% 0.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 1 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 20.0% 0.0% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 4 3.5 3 Number of Satisfaction Responses 13 6 3 Very Satisfied (4) 13 3 2 Percent Very Satisfied 100.0% 50.0% 66.7% Satisfied (3) 0 3 0 Percent Satisfied 0.0% 50.0% 0.0% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 33.3% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 14 12 5 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 4 4 2 Before Enrollment 1 2 0 Percent Before Enrollment 25.0% 50.0% 0.0% While Attending the College 3 0 1 Percent While Attending the College 75.0% 0.0% 50.0% After Training at the College 0 2 1 Percent After Training at the College 0.0% 50.0% 50.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 4 4 2 In College District 3 4 1 Percent In College District 75.0% 100.0% 50.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 1 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 25.0% 0.0% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 1 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 50.0% 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 2 1 Average Monthly Wage $3,655 $7,740 Average Hourly Wage $21.25 $45.00 Average Work Hours per Week 45.0 40.0 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 3 1 1 Average Hourly Wage $21.70 $19.00 $15.00 Average Work Hours per Week 27.0 20.0 5.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Caliber Collision Detailer Minneapolis MN Custom RV Autobody Technician DeForest * - 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
