Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician

Technical Diploma

Program Number: 324051

Credits: 60

Area of Study: Transportation

Delivery Method:
100% In Person*

Financial Aid Available

Estimated Program Cost:

Tuition - $8,460.00
Materials/Supplemental Costs
-
$6,049.00
Other Costs
-
$0.00
----------------
Total Estimated Program Costs*:
$14,509.00
Overview

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

Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician is on a career pathway that includes this two-year technical diploma and a one-year technical diploma. Both will prepare you for a good job. Learn at your own pace and increase your earning potential with credentials that keep you moving on your career path.

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 may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

  • Madison - Truax

Explore financial aid eligibility for Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician.

Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKjsFuddXJU

Admission

Admission

To Apply

After Acceptance

Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at MATC. 

Questions?

Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or (608) 246-6210.

Curriculum

Curriculum

Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2021-2022 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.

Transfer

Transfer Partnerships

There are currently no Transfer Partnerships for this program. Review our Transfer Opportunities page for information on all Madison College transfer options.

Outcomes

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.

 

Careers

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 

Find open jobs in this industry on Handshake

Handshake - matching highly-skilled students and alumni with jobs

 

  • Graduate Summary
    Graduate Report Summary Overview

    		201820192020
    Number of Program Graduates10212
    Number of Surveys Sent10212
    Number of Surveys Returned614
    Percent of Surveys Returned60.0%50.0%33.3%
    Available for Employment614
    Percent Available for Employment100.0%100.0%100.0%
    Not in Labor Market000
    Percent Not in Labor Market0.0%0.0%0.0%
    Available for Employment

    		201820192020
    Graduates Employed514
    Percent of Graduates Employed83.3%100.0%100.0%
    Employed in Related Occupation304
    Percent Employed in Related Occupation60.0%0.0%100.0%
    Employed in Unrelated Occupation210
    Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation40.0%100.0%0.0%
    Employed - No Response000
    Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%0.0%
    Seeking Employment100
    Percent Seeking Employment16.7%0.0%0.0%
    Reaction To Training at Madison College

    		201820192020
    Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.343.8
    Number of Satisfaction Responses614
    Very Satisfied (4)213
    Percent Very Satisfied33.3%100.0%75.0%
    Satisfied (3)401
    Percent Satisfied66.7%0.0%25.0%
    Unsatisfied (2)000
    Percent Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
    Very Unsatisfed (1)000
    Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
    Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

    		201820192020
    Number of Primary Reason Responses614
    Preparation for Getting a Job302
    Percent Preparation for Getting a Job50.0%0.0%50.0%
    Career Change010
    Percent Career Change0.0%100.0%0.0%
    Improvement of Existing Skills200
    Percent Improvement of Existing Skills33.3%0.0%0.0%
    Preparation for Further Education001
    Percent Preparation for Further Education0.0%0.0%25.0%
    Personal Interest101
    Percent Personal Interest16.7%0.0%25.0%
    Other000
    Percent Other0.0%0.0%0.0%
    When Employment was Obtained

    		201820192020
    Number of When Employment Obtained Responses113
    Before Enrollment010
    Percent Before Enrollment0.0%100.0%0.0%
    While Attending the College003
    Percent While Attending the College0.0%0.0%100.0%
    After Training at the College100
    Percent After Training at the College100.0%0.0%0.0%
    Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

    		201820192020
    Number of Employment Location Responses514
    In College District413
    Percent In College District80.0%100.0%75.0%
    In Wisconsin, Not in District101
    Percent of In Wisconsin20.0%0.0%25.0%
    Outside of Wisconsin000
    Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%0.0%0.0%
    Employer Location Unknown000
    Percent Location Unknown0.0%0.0%0.0%
    Salary Trend
    Salary Trend201820192020
    Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count32
    Average Monthly Wage$2,250$3,268
    Average Hourly Wage$13.08$19.00
    Average Work Hours per Week43.340.0
    Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count1
    Average Hourly Wage$12.00
    Average Work Hours per Week20.0

Resources

Related Program