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Program Overview
Madison College’s Biotechnology Laboratory Support Assistant diploma offers hands-on training necessary for successful entry into today’s biotech job market.
You can earn the diploma in one or two semesters, so it’s a good fit if you’re looking to quickly start a career in biotechnology, whether you’re a recent high school graduate, a professional returning to the workforce or changing careers.
Hear from biotechnology students and faculty about the program and your future career options. Technical Diploma Goals
Technical diploma graduates are ready for a range of entry-level professional positions in biotechnology, including lab assistant, biological science aide, laboratory support technician or lab operations associate.
Real-world, Hands-on Learning
The diploma will prepare you to perform entry-level support tasks in the biotechnology industry, such as maintaining clean and sterile work environments, working aseptically (clean of infectious organisms), producing and maintaining proper documentation, lab safety and team collaboration.
Courses are designed with input from local biotech companies to equip you with the skills in demand by employers. You’ll gain hands-on experience in fully-equipped laboratories using industry-standard equipment and supplies.
Flexible Course Offerings
You can attend full- or part-time. Take classes in-person at our Madison Truax campus.
What Is Biotechnology?
Learn more about the biotech profession and your options to study biotechnology at Madison College.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2065 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.
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Admission
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Apply Now – Secure Your Spot on the Waiting List!
This program operates on a waiting list. To be eligible to enroll in program classes, students must first complete academic preparedness requirements and go through the declaration process.
Before submitting an application, be sure to:
- Review the Waiting List section
- Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements
- Estimated Wait Time: To be determined
- Program Capacity: 18-25 spots each Fall and Spring semester. It shares this capacity with other programs that have a similar curriculum.
Need help? Learn more about the Madison College experience and get support with your application.
Start your application today and take the next step toward your career goals!
Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is January 15, 2026
Fall 2026
- Application available on September 15, 2025
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2026
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admissions 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
Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, academic preparedness requirements, and complete the declaration process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Biotechnology Laboratory Support Assistant career.
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Waiting List
Beginning Fall 2026
This program uses a waiting list to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and program demand. This means there are typically more applicants than there are open seats in the program. A waiting list helps us manage applications in a way that is fair and transparent.
This program has academic preparedness requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. When you’ve completed all academic preparedness requirements, you will complete the declaration process.
Pre-core students can run their Degree Progress Report to confirm which pre-program requirements are satisfied/not satisfied and view specific ways to satisfy requirements.
Prerequisites:
- Math (testing, college coursework)
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
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Career Outcomes
Technical Diploma Program Outcomes
As a Madison College Biotechnology Laboratory Support Assistant technical diploma graduate, you’ll be prepared to:
- Follow policies and procedures in regulated laboratory environments.
- Follow health and safety protocols.
- Demonstrate a variety of math and laboratory skills.
- Apply active listening and oral and written communication skills to follow procedures.
- Adhere to professional and ethical standards in the biotechnology profession.
Biotechnology Jobs
You’ll be qualified to apply for entry-level jobs such as:
Lab Assistant – monitor equipment; prepare samples; maintain glassware; prepare media and solutions.
Biological Science Aide – maintain instrumentation, glassware, stocks and supplies; prepare samples; set up and takedown experiments.
Laboratory Support Technician – maintain lab systems and resources; prepare laboratory reagents and solutions.
Lab Operations Associate – produce and test reagents; assist in process and method development, characterization and validation; manage materials; goods and supplies packaging, shipping, receiving, and distribution.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 9 14 13 Number of Surveys Sent 9 14 13 Number of Surveys Returned 7 12 12 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 0 3 6 Percent Available for Employment 0.0% 25.0% 50.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 100.0% 75.0% 50.0% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 0 2 6 Percent of Graduates Employed 66.7% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 0 2 5 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.0% 83.3% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 0 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.0% 16.7% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 1 0 Percent Seeking Employment 33.3% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.7 3.6 3.4 Number of Satisfaction Responses 3 5 11 Very Satisfied (4) 2 3 6 Percent Very Satisfied 66.7% 60.0% 54.5% Satisfied (3) 1 2 4 Percent Satisfied 33.3% 40.0% 36.4% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 9.1% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 7 12 12 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 0 2 6 Before Enrollment 0 0 1 Percent Before Enrollment 0.0% 16.7% While Attending the College 0 1 4 Percent While Attending the College 50.0% 66.7% After Training at the College 0 1 1 Percent After Training at the College 50.0% 16.7% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 0 2 6 In College District 0 2 6 Percent In College District 100.0% 100.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 2 3 Average Monthly Wage $3,956 $3,822 Average Hourly Wage $23.00 $22.22 Average Work Hours per Week 40.0 38.3 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 2 Average Hourly Wage $21.00 Average Work Hours per Week 16.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Catalent Solution Prep Newcomer Supply Intern Lab Technician Waunakee Promega Corporation Production Scientist Fitchburg Promega Corporation Production Scientist Spherion Staffing Services Specimen Processing Associate * - 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
