Cars. You love everything about them – from driving to tinkering to keeping them running. Have we got a degree for you.
Automotive Technology Comprehensive Image of Student
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Automotive Service Excellence
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Our instructors have over 100 years of experience in the auto industry.
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100% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.

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Automotive Technology-Comprehensive
Program Number: 106026
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Transportation
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
69 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$12,866.06

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    The Automotive Technology program at Madison college is a two-year associate degree in automotive mechanical systems. Graduates may choose to go on to earn a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution.

    As an Automotive Technology-Comprehensive student, you will:

    • Develop hands-on skills in automotive and light truck technology, diagnosis and repair, focusing on electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems.
    • Learn about engine breathing, ignition systems, computer control and sensors, fuel and air management and emission systems.
    • Develop the skills needed to diagnose, service, repair automatic transmission/transaxles and overhaul procedures.
    • Test equipment and troubleshoot circuits, such as lighting, windshield wipers, power windows, instruments and sound systems.
    • Cover in detail service department operation and depth, from large to small organizations.
    • Receive hands-on experience, including inspecting, troubleshooting, and repairing and replacing defective or worn parts of the complete brake system.
    • Gain skills needed to diagnose, service and repair clutches, manual transmissions/transaxle, differentials, four-wheel drive/all-wheel drive and drive axles.

    We strongly recommend that you work in the automobile repair industry while in this program to gain additional real-world experience.

    Automotive Technology Program Details​

    Students in the Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program can attend full- or part-time.

    Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.

    Students who are in the Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program who finish the course work for the Automotive Technician program will receive the Automotive Technician Technical diploma on their way to earn the Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program degree. 

    Automotive Technology Careers

    Earning your associate degree in the Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:

    • Service Technician
    • Service Writer
    • Auto Parts Salesperson
    • Diagnostic Specialist
    • Service Manager
    • Specialized Technician
    • Equipment Salesperson
    • Equipment Service and Training Technician
    • Service Director
    • Lab Technician
    • Shop Owner
    • Fleet Manager
    • Service Writer
    • Parts and Sales Specialist

    ​You also will be prepared for employment in other industries, including;

    • Forklift Service
    • Small Engine
    • Industrial Equipment Repair
    • Manufacturing
    • Engineering
    • Automotive Tools and Equipment Sales
    • Auto Repair

    Accreditation

    The Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program is accredited through the ASE Education Foundation.

  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 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 Semester
    10-602-100
    2 credits
    10-602-101
    3 credits
    10-602-124
    3 credits
    10-602-126
    2 credits
    10-602-166
    5 credits
    Second Semester
    10-457-100
    2 credits
    10-602-157
    5 credits
    10-602-158
    1 credit
    10-602-163
    5 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-602-154
    5 credits
    10-602-155
    5 credits
    10-602-162
    2 credits
    10-804-134
    3 credits
    10-809-195
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-602-150
    5 credits
    10-602-152
    5 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
  • 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

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is January 15, 2025

    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
    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) 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

    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.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Automotive Technology-Comprehensive career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Transfer Opportunities

    UW System Schools

    The terms of the B.S in Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S or A.A.A. degrees and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
    Students with an AAS transfer in with articulated general education transfer credit, 12 credits of 1000T Industrial Studies credits, and 15 credits of 3000T Industrial Studies credits. 27 credits of Industrial Studies electives can apply to the ITM.

    Wisconsin Private Schools

    Students witn an AA, AS or AAS are Advanced Core. Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 60 credits. Students transferring prior to completion or with less than 60 credits are standard core and credits are evaluated course by course.
    Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
    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.

    Out-of-State Schools

    Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement.
    Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring.
    Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.
    Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of Madison College graduates with an AA, AS, or AAS. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer up to 94 additional credits toward their baccalaureate degree.
  • Career Outcomes

    MATC Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program graduates are prepared for:  

    Lifelong Learning

    • Assume responsibility for continuing education in order to maintain skills and enhance professional growth.
    • Exhibit self-management and study skills necessary to succeed in increasingly challenging academic environments.

    Employability

    • Demonstrate work ethics and reliable behavior, including but not limited to assuming responsibility for decisions and actions, utilizing time and stress management skills, and displaying initiative.

    Professionalism

    • Demonstrate pride in profession through motivation and initiative, positive attitude, and flexibility.

    Ethics/Respect/Integrity

    • Demonstrate professional ethics, honesty and respect when dealing with customers, co-workers and supervisors.

    Working Cooperatively

    • Work as a team member by demonstrating good communication and listening skills, cooperating and providing a supportive environment.

    Communication

    • Communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal communications to customers, co-workers and supervisors, using positive interpersonal skills including but not limited to empathy, active listening and flexibility.

    Technical Knowledge

    • Explain and apply technical concepts and their interrelationships between various vehicular systems.
    • Demonstrate applications of technical knowledge to other technologies and disciplines.

    Technical Skills

    • Diagnose customer complaints accurately and demonstrate mechanical aptitude in the servicing of vehicles.
    • Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate and solve problems.
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202120222023
      Number of Program Graduates5911
      Number of Surveys Sent5911
      Number of Surveys Returned3510
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment359
      Percent Available for Employment100.0%100.0%90.0%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market0.0%0.0%10.0%
      Available for Employment

      202120222023
      Graduates Employed359
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.0%100.0%100.0%
      Employed in Related Occupation249
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation66.7%80.0%100.0%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation110
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation33.3%20.0%0.0%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment000
      Percent Seeking Employment0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202120222023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)33.83.9
      Number of Satisfaction Responses3510
      Very Satisfied (4)149
      Percent Very Satisfied33.3%80.0%90.0%
      Satisfied (3)111
      Percent Satisfied33.3%20.0%10.0%
      Unsatisfied (2)100
      Percent Unsatisfied33.3%0.0%0.0%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202120222023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses3510
      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 Other0.0%0.0%0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202120222023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses359
      Before Enrollment110
      Percent Before Enrollment33.3%20.0%0.0%
      While Attending the College114
      Percent While Attending the College33.3%20.0%44.4%
      After Training at the College135
      Percent After Training at the College33.3%60.0%55.6%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202120222023
      Number of Employment Location Responses359
      In College District218
      Percent In College District66.7%20.0%88.9%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District121
      Percent of In Wisconsin33.3%40.0%11.1%
      Outside of Wisconsin020
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%40.0%0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202120222023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count249
      Average Monthly Wage$3,870$2,979$4,183
      Average Hourly Wage$22.50$17.32$24.32
      Average Work Hours per Week60.043.841.6
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count
      Average Hourly Wage
      Average Work Hours per Week
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Caliber CollisionService AdvisorMiddleton
      Crown Lift TrucksField Service Technician
      Crown Lift TrucksService Technician
      Don MillerTechnician
      Epic Systems CorpFleet MechanicVerona
      Fields Jaguar Land RoverParts Advisor
      Howards CamsTech/Sales SupportOshkosh
      Smart Toyota / VolvoParts Counterperson
      Space Saver CompanyWelderFort Atkinson

      * - 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

Ready to get started?
Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!
Contact the School of Technologies and Trades

Madison Truax Campus
Main Building, A2105

1701 Wright Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

tandt@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.6800

Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (phone or email only)