Petition Process

Animation
Associate Degree Nursing (R.N.)
Dental Assistant
Medical Assistant
Medical Coding Specialist
Nursing Completion LPN to ADN
Nursing Completion Paramedic to ADN
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Paramedic
Paramedic Technician
Practical Nursing
Radiography
Respiratory Therapy
Surgical Technologist (one-year): The last term of petition is Fall 2023
Surgical Technology (two-year): The first term of petition is Fall 2023
Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Technician

Below are estimated wait times for programs that follow the petition process. These estimates start at the time a student is accepted into a pre-program status*. Estimates are subject to change due to the changing number of students in pre-program status and the number of students who are ready to petition each semester.

Students who have completed or are in-progress with all petition requirements can petition to begin core-program courses. The number of times a student must petition may depend on when all requirements are satisfied.

• Animation – Petition process occurs once a year, no current estimated wait time
• Associate Degree Nursing – Petition process occurs each semester, excluding summer, estimated wait time 0-2 semesters, also subject to change due to program option (traditional, Paramedic-AD, or LPN-AD)
• Dental Assistant – Petition process occurs each semester, including summer, estimated wait time 0-1 semesters
• Dental Hygienist – Petition process occurs once a year, the current trend is 3 years between acceptance into pre-program status and the start of core classes. It is unknown what the estimated wait time will be for Fall 2024 and forward. 
• Medical Assistant – Petition process occurs once a year, no current estimated wait time
• Medical Coding Specialist – Petition process occurs once a year after Spring 2024, no current estimated wait time
• Nursing Completion LPN to ADN – Petition process occurs once a year, estimated wait time 0-1 years
• Nursing Completion Paramedic to ADN – Petition process occurs once a year, estimated wait time 0-1 years
• Occupational Therapy Assistant – Petition process occurs once a year, no current estimated wait time
• Paramedic – Petition process occurs once a year, no current estimated wait time
• Paramedic Technician – Petition process occurs once a year, no current estimated wait time
• Practical Nursing – Petition process occurs each semester, excluding summer, estimated wait time 0-2 semesters
• Radiography – Petition process occurs once a year, estimated wait time 1-2 years
• Respiratory Therapy – Petition process occurs once a year, no current estimated wait time
• Surgical Technologist (one-year) – Petition process occurs once a year, estimated wait time 1-2 years
• Surgical Technology (two-year) – Petition process occurs once a year beginning Fall 2023, no current estimated wait time
• Veterinary Assistant – Petition process occurs once a year, no current estimated wait time
• Veterinary Technician – Petition process occurs once a year, no current estimated wait time

*Note: Application completion dates do not transfer between programs. Please see "How are students selected?" for more information about how completion dates impact entry into core courses.

Students who are interested in beginning the core courses must petition during specific dates. Only students who have completed or are in-progress with all petition requirements can submit a petition form. Those who are admitted into pre-program should run a Degree Progress Report. The report will confirm which pre-program requirements are satisfied and which are not satisfied.

Selection for entry into core courses is based on:

• The completion of all petition requirements
• The term you were admitted to pre-program for
• Your residency
• The date of your pre-program application completion

Programs may use more criteria to meet the needs of the program, labor market, and College strategic plans.

Petition requirements must be completed or be in-progress at the time of petition. Priority for entry into the core courses will be given to those petitioners who have all requirements completed at the time of petitioning.

• If all first-semester spaces are not filled by petitioners who completed all the petition requirements, the remaining petitioners will be reviewed. Any open spots will be tentatively awarded to petitioners who are in-progress with the rest of the petition requirements.
• The tentatively awarded spots will become permanent only after successful completion of the rest of the in-progress requirements.

Priority will be given for residency in this order:

1. Madison College District residents
2. Non-district state residents (including Minnesota residents)
3. Out-of-state residents

Beginning core-program courses requires a full commitment. Successful students become immersed in their program of study and are not as readily available for other commitments. You should determine if it is the right time for you to begin the program based upon personal and financial commitments.

Petition requirements vary by program. Run a Degree Progress Report to review the pre-program requirements and confirm which requirements are satisfied. If your Degree Progress Report does not show that you have satisfied or are in-progress with all requirements, you will not be eligible to submit the petition form.

Applicants must submit official transcripts or test scores that show completion of all petition requirements. If your transcripts include a former first or last name, contact enrollmentservices@madisoncollege.edu to shorten processing time.

After transfer credit, test scores and grades are posted to your record, your Degree Progress Report will automatically update. Run your Degree Progress Report to see which requirements you have satisfied.

If a pre-program requirement is not satisfied on the Degree Progress Report and you believe you have completed it through previous coursework at another school, submit the following for review:

1. Transfer Credit Evaluation Request Form (PDF)
2. Official transcripts

To allow for processing time, submit the transfer credit evaluation form and transcript(s) 15 days prior to the opening of the priority petition window.

Any additional documentation submitted to complete pre-program requirements can take up to a week to show on your record.

If you complete the petition workshop or testing at Madison College, it can take 48 hours to show on your record.

Only students who have completed or are in-progress with all petition requirements should submit a petition form. The petition process happens one to three times per year, depending on the program.

Spring 2024 Petition

The petition window for Spring 2024 program courses opened on September 1, 2023 for the following programs:

• Associate Degree Nursing  -- petition window closed on October 26, 2023
• Dental Assistant     
• Medical Coding Specialist
• Nursing Completion LPN to ADN 
• Nursing Completion Paramedic to ADN
• Practical Nursing -- petition window closed on September 15, 2023

The priority petition window will close end of day September 15, 2023. Students who petition during the priority petition window (September 1, 2023 – September 15, 2023) will be considered first.

If the program is not full after the priority window, students can still petition until whichever comes first:

• The program is full; or
• One week prior to the start of the semester

This may not apply to Associate Degree Nursing; historically this program has closed on September 15.

Only students admitted into a pre-program status for the Spring 2024 term or prior will have access to petition for the Spring 2024 term.

Programs not listed above do not petition for spring terms.

Summer 2024 Petition begins February 1, 2024

Petitioning for Summer 2024 program courses begins February 1, 2024 for the following program:

• Dental Assistant 

The priority petition window will close end of day February 15, 2024. Students who petition during the priority petition window (February 1, 2024 – February 15, 2024) will be considered first.

If the program is not full after the priority window, students can still petition until whichever comes first:

• The program is full; or
• One week prior to the start of the semester

Only students admitted into a pre-program status for the Summer 2024 term or prior will have access to petition for the Summer 2024 term.

Programs not listed above do not petition for summer terms.

Fall 2024 Petition begins April 1, 2024

Petitioning for Fall 2024 program courses begins April 1, 2024 for the following programs:

• Animation
• Associate Degree Nursing -- petition window has historically closed on April 15
• Dental Hygienist -- petition window has historically closed on on April 15
• Medical Assistant 
• Medical Coding Specialist 
• Nursing Completion LPN to ADN 
• Occupational Therapy Assistant 
• Paramedic
• Paramedic Technician
• Practical Nursing 
• Radiography -- petition window has historically closed on April 15
• Respiratory Therapy 
• Surgical Technology
• Veterinary Assistant
• Veterinary Technician 

The priority petition window will close end of day April 15, 2024 for all programs except Dental Assistant. Students who petition during the priority petition window (April 1, 2024 – April 15, 2024) will be considered first.

If the program is not full after the priority window, students can still petition until whichever comes first:

• The program is full; or
• One week prior to the start of the semester

This may not apply to Associate Degree Nursing, Dental Hygienist and Radiography; historically these programs have closed on April 15.

Petitioning for Fall 2024 program courses begins June 1, 2024 for the following program:

• Dental Assistant

The priority petition window for Dental Assistant will close end of day June 15, 2024. Students who petition during the priority petition window (June 1, 2024 - June 15, 2024) will be considered first.

If the program is not full after the priority window, students can still petition until whichever comes first:

• The program is full; or
• One week prior to the start of the semester

Only students admitted into a pre-program status for the Fall 2024 term or prior will have access to petition for the Fall 2024 term.

Programs not listed above do not petition for fall terms.

Spring 2025 Petition begins September 1, 2024

Petitioning for Spring 2025 program courses begins September 1, 2024 for the following programs:

• Associate Degree Nursing -- petition window has historically closed on September 15
• Dental Assistant     
• Nursing Completion LPN to ADN
• Paramedic (for Watertown campus)
• Paramedic Technician (for Watertown campus)
• Practical Nursing

The priority petition window will close end of day September 15, 2024. Students who petition during the priority petition window (September 1, 2024 – September 15, 2024) will be considered first.

If the program is not full after the priority window, students can still petition until whichever comes first:

• The program is full; or
• One week prior to the start of the semester

This may not apply to Associate Degree Nursing; historically this program has closed on September 15.

Only students admitted into a pre-program status for the Spring 2025 term or prior will have access to petition for the Spring 2025 term.

Programs not listed above do not petition for spring terms.

Students must petition to gain access to core program courses. Only students active in a pre-program status will have access to the Petition Form. To access the form:

1. Log into the myMadisonCollege student center
2. Click on "Communications"
3. Click the "To Do's"
4. Select the petition to do list item
5. Click the petition form hyperlink in the description
6. The petition form will open
7. Answer all questions and review all information provided within the form
8. Click the “Submit” Button
9. Within an hour after submitting the form you will receive a confirmation message in your student center on myMadisonCollege. If you do not receive this confirmation message within 24 hours, you must contact the Enrollment Center at enrollmentservices@madisoncollege.edu or call 608.246.6210.

• Madison College will review the petition form and confirm all of the petition requirements are completed
• Approximately 15 business days after the close of the priority window, students are sent a letter or email with the decision and next steps
• Decisions are sent to your Madison College email or mailing address
• All decisions regarding selection are final and cannot be appealed
• Students who are not selected can petition during the next open window for their program
• If selected, you will receive instructions regarding the next steps and required items
• If you do not complete the required items, it may result in  losing your seat and starting the application process from the beginning
• Students who are awarded a seat are expected to start the core-program courses for the awarded term
• Students who choose not to begin the core-program courses or are not able to begin core-program courses may be discontinued from pre-program status
• Students who are awarded a seat must continue to successfully meet program requirements to remain in the program
• Failure to successfully complete program requirements will result in discontinuation from the program. Students will be required to follow program policy to re-enter.
• If enrolled in future semester core classes they are no longer able to take, students will be notified of the requirement to drop and/or be dropped by the College.

Students who are awarded a seat and are in-progress with petition requirements are required to:

• Earn a C or better in the course(s); and
• Send notification of successful completion to Madison College

Notification is due by the following dates based on which term you are completing the course(s).

• Summer: August 23
• Fall: January 5
• Spring: June 15

If you are completing the course(s) at Madison College, contact enrollmentservices@madisoncollege.edu when the final grade is posted in your myMadisonCollege account. 

Completing the course(s) at another college? Submit the final, official transcript(s) by the deadline. Transcripts must be sent directly from the current school to Madison College to be considered official.

Students who do not show completion of the in-progress course with a grade of C or higher will forfeit their awarded seat in the program.

Students are encouraged to attend a drop-in advising session for assistance with:

• Additional questions
• Academic advising
• Understanding next steps in the petition process