The 9-credit technical diploma provides a fast track to entry-level positions in the biotechnology industry.
biotechnology student in lab
Biotechnology Laboratory Support Assistant
Program Number: 300071
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Science, Math and Natural Resources
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
9 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 semester
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$1,729.41
  • 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.

    Explore Biotech Careers at Madison College!
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    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.

    Learn About Biotechnology Program Options

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    We’d love to talk with you about the Biotechnology Laboratory Support Assistant program. Complete this form to get the conversation started!

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    Connect with us on social media to learn more about the biotech program work, students, faculty, facilities and more!

  • 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.

    Courses
  • 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.

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    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Biotechnology Laboratory Support Assistant career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • 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.
     

    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202120222023
      Number of Program Graduates9914
      Number of Surveys Sent9914
      Number of Surveys Returned9712
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment103
      Percent Available for Employment11.1%0.0%25.0%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market88.9%100.0%75.0%
      Available for Employment

      202120222023
      Graduates Employed102
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.0%66.7%
      Employed in Related Occupation002
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation0.0%100.0%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation100
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation100.0%0.0%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment001
      Percent Seeking Employment0.0%33.3%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202120222023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)33.73.6
      Number of Satisfaction Responses135
      Very Satisfied (4)023
      Percent Very Satisfied0.0%66.7%60.0%
      Satisfied (3)112
      Percent Satisfied100.0%33.3%40.0%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.0%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 Responses9712
      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 Responses102
      Before Enrollment000
      Percent Before Enrollment0.0%0.0%
      While Attending the College001
      Percent While Attending the College0.0%50.0%
      After Training at the College101
      Percent After Training at the College100.0%50.0%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202120222023
      Number of Employment Location Responses102
      In College District102
      Percent In College District100.0%100.0%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.0%0.0%
      Outside of Wisconsin000
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.0%0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202120222023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count2
      Average Monthly Wage$3,956
      Average Hourly Wage$23.00
      Average Work Hours per Week40.0
      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
      Exact SciencesClinical Laboratory Scientist
      Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics InternationalLaboratory 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

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)