Automotive Technology Comprehensive Associate Degree

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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 Available

Program Transfers

What You'll Pay

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Estimated Program Cost

$12,654.56

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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 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 Semester
10-602-100
Automotive Fundamentals
2 credits
10-602-101
Automotive Service Procedures
3 credits
10-602-124
Automotive Electrical 1 (E1)
3 credits
10-602-126
Automotive Electrical 2 (E2)
2 credits
10-602-156
Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning Systems
2 credits
10-602-166
Driveability 1
5 credits
Second Semester
10-457-100
Metal Repair Techniques
2 credits
10-602-157
Technical Braking Systems
5 credits
10-602-158
Service Management
1 credit
10-602-163
Steering and Suspension Systems
5 credits
10-801-195
Written Communication
3 credits
Third Semester
10-602-154
Automatic Transmissions
5 credits
10-602-155
Manual Drivetrains & Axles
5 credits
10-602-162
Automotive Electrical 3 (E3)
2 credits
10-804-134
Mathematical Reasoning
3 credits
10-809-195
Economics
3 credits
Fourth Semester
10-602-115
Hybrid and Alternative Fueled Vehicles
2 credits
10-602-150
Internal Combustion Engines
5 credits
10-602-152
Driveability 2
5 credits
10-801-196
Oral/Interpersonal Communication
3 credits
10-809-199
Psychology Of Human Relations
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
Fall 2025
Application open
Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
Spaces in this program are limited. Submit your application materials as soon as possible. If admitted, register for classes at the earliest opportunity.
If the program reaches capacity, students will be accepted onto a waiting list.
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 Automotive Technology-Comprehensive career.
It's Free to Apply
Transfer Opportunities

UW System Schools
UW Oshkosh
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
UW Platteville
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
Concordia University
Students with 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.
Lakeland University
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.
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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
Bellevue University
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.
Capella University
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.
Colorado State University Global Campus
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
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
Count Percents	2021	2022	2023
Number of Program Graduates	5	9	11
Number of Surveys Sent	5	9	11
Number of Surveys Returned	3	5	10
Percent of Surveys Returned
Available for Employment	3	5	9
Percent Available for Employment	100.0%	100.0%	90.0%
Not in Labor Market
Percent Not in Labor Market	0.0%	0.0%	10.0%

Available for Employment
Count Percents	2021	2022	2023
Graduates Employed	3	5	9
Percent of Graduates Employed	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%
Employed in Related Occupation	2	4	9
Percent Employed in Related Occupation	66.7%	80.0%	100.0%
Employed in Unrelated Occupation	1	1	0
Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation	33.3%	20.0%	0.0%
Employed - No Response	0	0	0
Percent Employed - No Response	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Seeking Employment	0	0	0
Percent Seeking Employment	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

Reaction To Training at Madison College
Count Percents	2021	2022	2023
Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)	3	3.8	3.9
Number of Satisfaction Responses	3	5	10
Very Satisfied (4)	1	4	9
Percent Very Satisfied	33.3%	80.0%	90.0%
Satisfied (3)	1	1	1
Percent Satisfied	33.3%	20.0%	10.0%
Unsatisfied (2)	1	0	0
Percent Unsatisfied	33.3%	0.0%	0.0%
Very Unsatisfied (1)
Percent Very Unsatisfied	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
Count Percents	2021	2022	2023
Number of Primary Reason Responses	3	5	10
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
Count Percents	2021	2022	2023
Number of When Employment Obtained Responses	3	5	9
Before Enrollment	1	1	0
Percent Before Enrollment	33.3%	20.0%	0.0%
While Attending the College	1	1	4
Percent While Attending the College	33.3%	20.0%	44.4%
After Training at the College	1	3	5
Percent After Training at the College	33.3%	60.0%	55.6%

Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
Count Percents	2021	2022	2023
Number of Employment Location Responses	3	5	9
In College District	2	1	8
Percent In College District	66.7%	20.0%	88.9%
In Wisconsin, Not in District	1	2	1
Percent of In Wisconsin	33.3%	40.0%	11.1%
Outside of Wisconsin	0	2	0
Percent Outside Wisconsin	0.0%	40.0%	0.0%
Employer Location Unknown	0	0	0
Percent Location Unknown	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

Salary Trend
Salary Trend		2021	2022	2023
Full Time Employment (Related Job)	Full Time Salary Count	2	4	9
	Average Monthly Wage	$3,870	$2,979	$4,183
	Average Hourly Wage	$22.50	$17.32	$24.32
	Average Work Hours per Week	60.0	43.8	41.6
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 Title	City*
Caliber Collision	Service Advisor	Middleton
Crown Lift Trucks	Field Service Technician
Crown Lift Trucks	Service Technician
Don Miller	Technician
Epic Systems Corp	Fleet Mechanic	Verona
Fields Jaguar Land Rover	Parts Advisor
Howards Cams	Tech/Sales Support	Oshkosh
Smart Toyota / Volvo	Parts Counterperson
Space Saver Company	Welder	Fort 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

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)

Program Overview

Automotive Technology Program Details​

Automotive Technology Careers

Accreditation

Curriculum and Experience

Admission

Transfer Opportunities

Career Outcomes

Related Program

Automotive Technology Program Details