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Financial Aid Available
Estimated Program Cost
Financial Aid
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Program Overview
The Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician program at Madison College is a two-year technical diploma designed to provide students with the skills necessary to enter the collision repair industry.
Emphasis is placed on returning damaged vehicles to previous condition with safe, manufacturer-specific repairs.
As a student in the Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician program, you will:
- Understand the basic theories and principles used in the collision repair industry.
- Learn about various materials and systems present on late-model vehicles and the proper collision repair considerations for each.
- Exercise methods for diagnosing and resolving common collision repair issues.
- Work to develop hands-on job skills such as metal inert gas (MIG) welding, panel replacement, metal forming, sheet metal alignment and finishing, and automotive refinishing/painting.
- Assess collision damage and create repair estimates with computerized estimating software commonly used in collision repair shops.
- Evaluate structural damage using laser measuring system.
- Repair structural damage using Chief Fuzion Straightening Solutions.
- Practice structural welding and frame sectioning.
- Perform plastic repairs on various types of automotive plastics.
- Learn concepts and processes related to automotive custom painting and airbrushing.
- Create a work portfolio to present to potential employers.
Program Details
Students must start classes in the fall semester.
Students in the Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician must attend full time.
Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.
Careers
Earning your two-year technical diploma in the Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician program at Madison College prepares you for valuable work as:
- Auto Body Technician
- Frame and Alignment Specialist
- Unibody Repair Specialist
- Painting Technician
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
- Insurance Adjuster and Appraiser
- Equipment and Supplies Specialist
- Foreman/Manager/Shop Owner
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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.
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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
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.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician career.
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Career Outcomes
MATC Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician program graduates are prepared to enter the field with these effective workplace skills:
Safety
Use safe technique and personal protection in compliance with OSHA regulations.Problem Solving
Apply logic and math to troubleshoot and solve auto body repair problems.Communication
Communicate effectively both in oral and written format with customers, coworkers, and supervisors.Work Ethics/Employability
Demonstrate work ethics and professionalism by displaying initiative, positive attitude, flexibility, honesty, efficiency, and ability to work with all members of the team.Continuing Education
Awareness of responsibility for continuing education to maintain and expand professional skills.Technical Skills
- Repair or replace sheet metal and plastic body panels.
- Restore the structural integrity of vehicle.
- Remove and replace mechanical and electrical components.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2021 2022 2023 Number of Program Graduates 5 5 13 Number of Surveys Sent 5 5 13 Number of Surveys Returned 2 2 6 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 2 2 6 Percent Available for Employment 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Available for Employment
2021 2022 2023 Graduates Employed 1 2 5 Percent of Graduates Employed 50.0% 100.0% 83.3% Employed in Related Occupation 1 2 4 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.0% 100.0% 80.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 0 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 1 0 1 Percent Seeking Employment 50.0% 0.0% 16.7% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 4 4 3.8 Number of Satisfaction Responses 2 2 6 Very Satisfied (4) 2 2 5 Percent Very Satisfied 100.0% 100.0% 83.3% Satisfied (3) 0 0 1 Percent Satisfied 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Number of Primary Reason Responses 2 2 6 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% 16.7% When Employment was Obtained
2021 2022 2023 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 1 2 5 Before Enrollment 0 0 0 Percent Before Enrollment 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% While Attending the College 0 2 2 Percent While Attending the College 0.0% 100.0% 40.0% After Training at the College 1 0 3 Percent After Training at the College 100.0% 0.0% 60.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2021 2022 2023 Number of Employment Location Responses 1 2 5 In College District 1 2 3 Percent In College District 100.0% 100.0% 60.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 1 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 1 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% Salary Trend 2021 2022 2023 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 1 2 3 Average Monthly Wage $4,300 $4,356 $3,175 Average Hourly Wage $25.00 $25.33 $18.46 Average Work Hours per Week 40.0 40.0 41.3 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* State** Positions Auto Color Inc Autobody & Paint Technician Middleton Avenue Auto Body Inc Technician Middleton Gerber Products Company Autobody Technician Apprentice * - 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
