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Automotive Technician
Two Year Technical Diploma
Program number:
324042
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Overview
Overview
The Automotive Technician program at Madison College is a two-year diploma that covers a wide range of mechanical systems found in automobiles. We strongly recommend that you work in the auto repair industry while in this program in order to gain additional hands-on experience.
As an Automotive Technician student, you will:
- Learn electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems technology.
- Diagnose and repair automotive and light truck equipment.
- Understand engine breathing, ignition systems, computer control and sensors, fuel and air management, and emission systems.
- Gain skills on heating and air conditioning systems, including vacuum and electrical controls, and automatic temperature control systems using modern tools and diagnostic equipment.
- Test equipment and troubleshoot circuits, such as lighting, windshield wipers, power windows, instruments and sound systems.
- Diagnose and rebuild electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems in modern automatic transmissions and transaxles.
- Rebuild clutches, standard transmissions, manual transaxles, drivelines and differentials.
Students who complete the Automotive Technician program earn a two-year technical diploma. Graduates may also attain an associate degree in Automotive Technology by completing the General Education classes for the Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program.
The Automotive Technician program is accredited through the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).
Program Details
Students in the Automotive Technician program can attend full or part time.
Automotive Technician program classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:
- Madison - Truax
All courses for this program are offered only in person.
Admission
To Apply
- View the admission requirements for application deadlines, materials and requirements.
- Attend an Academic Information Session to get started in the admission process.
- Visit MATC to learn more about the Madison College experience, including campus tours and program open houses.
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 the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or (608) 246-6210.
Curriculum
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2019-2020 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current program students (including newly admitted), go directly to your Degree Progress Report (also referred to as an Advising Report or Academic Requirements) to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your report, please see Advising Services.
First SemesterSecond SemesterThird SemesterFourth SemesterOutcomes
MATC Automotive Technician program graduates are prepared for:
Lifelong Learning
- Assume responsibility for continuing education in order to maintain skills and enhance professional growth.
- Exhibit self-management and study skills necessary to succeed in increasingly challenging academic environments.
Employability
- Demonstrate work ethics and reliable behavior, including but not limited to assuming responsibility for decisions and actions, utilizing time and stress management skills, and displaying initiative.
Professionalism
- Demonstrate pride in profession through motivation and initiative, positive attitude, and flexibility.
Ethics/Respect/Integrity
- Demonstrate professional ethics, honesty and respect when dealing with customers, co-workers and supervisors.
Working Cooperatively
- Work as a team member by demonstrating good communication and listening skills, cooperating, and providing a supportive environment.
Communication
- Communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal communications to customers, co-workers and supervisors, using positive interpersonal skills, including but not limited to empathy, active listening and flexibility.
Technical Knowledge
- Explain and apply technical concepts and their interrelationships between various vehicular systems.
- Demonstrate applications of technical knowledge to other technologies and disciplines.
Technical Skills
- Diagnose customer complaints accurately and demonstrate mechanical aptitude in the servicing of vehicles.
- Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate and solve problems.
Careers
Earning your two-year Technical Diploma in the Automotive Technician program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:
- Automotive Service Technician
- Auto Electronics Specialist
- Transmission and Drive Train Specialist
- Alignment Specialist
- Automotive Machine Specialist
- Service Manager or Assistant Service Manager
- Service Writer
- Parts and Sales Specialists
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
- Shop Foreman
- Specialty Technician
- Fleet Dispatcher
- Specialty/Repair Shop Owner
- Service Manager
You also will be prepared for employment in other industries, including;
- Forklift Service
- Small Engine
- Industrial Equipment Repair
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Automotive Tools and Equipment Sales
- Auto Repair
Find open jobs in this industry on Wisconsin TechConnecttm
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Estimated Program Cost
# of Credits for Completion59Tuition$8053.50Materials/Supplemental Costs$2432.15Other Costs$0.00Total Estimated Program Costs:
(book costs not included)$10485.65
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2016 2017 2018 Number of Program Graduates 34 21 28 Number of Surveys Sent 34 21 28 Number of Surveys Returned 25 16 16 Percent of Surveys Returned 73.50% 76.20% 57.10% Available for Employment 25 16 16 Percent Available for Employment 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% Not in Labor Market 0 0 0 Percent Not in Labor Market 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Available for Employment
2016 2017 2018 Graduates Employed 25 16 16 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% Employed in Related Occupation 23 13 14 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 92.00% 81.30% 87.50% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 2 3 2 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 8.00% 18.80% 12.50% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Seeking Employment 0 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2016 2017 2018 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.8 3.8 3.6 Number of Satisfaction Responses 25 16 16 Very Satisfied 19 12 13 Percent Very Satisfied 76.00% 75.00% 81.30% Satisfied 6 4 1 Percent Satisfied 24.00% 25.00% 6.30% Unsatisfied 0 0 1 Percent Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 6.30% Very Unsatisfied 0 0 1 Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 6.30% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2016 2017 2018 Number of Primary Reason Responses 25 16 16 Preparation for Getting a Job 10 8 6 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 40.00% 50.00% 37.50% Career Change 5 2 0 Percent Career Change 20.00% 12.50% 0.00% Improvement of Existing Skills 3 3 7 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 12.00% 18.80% 43.80% Preparation for Further Education 4 0 1 Percent Preparation for Further Education 16.00% 0.00% 6.30% Personal Interest 3 3 2 Percent Personal Interest 12.00% 18.80% 12.50% Other 0 0 0 Percent Other 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% When Employment was Obtained
2016 2017 2018 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 25 16 9 Before Enrollment 7 3 1 Percent Before Enrollment 28.00% 18.80% 11.10% While Attending the College 12 7 3 Percent While Attending the College 48.00% 43.80% 33.30% After Training at the College 6 6 5 Percent After Training at the College 24.00% 37.50% 55.60% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2016 2017 2018 Number of Employment Location Responses 25 16 16 In College District 20 14 16 Percent In College District 80.00% 87.50% 100.00% In Wisconsin, Not in District 2 2 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 8.00% 12.50% 0.00% Outside of Wisconsin 1 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 4.00% 0.00% 0.00% Employer Location Unknown 2 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 8.00% 0.00% 0.00% Salary Trend Salary Trend 2016 2017 2018 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 21 11 11 Average Monthly Wage $2,573 $2,557 $2,429 Average Hourly Wage $14.96 $14.86 $14.12 Average Work Hours per Week 44.4 46.4 42.5 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 0 1 0 Average Hourly Wage $12.00 Average Work Hours per Week 20 30 18
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Graduate Employers
Total Positions Open for academic year: 2018 Wisconsin TechConnectTM Jobs* Madison Non-Madison Number of Full Time Positions Open 79 215 Number of Part Time Positions Open 18 45 Total Jobs 97 260 Graduate Employers for academic year: 2018 Employer(s) Job Title City** State*** Positions Bell Ford Mechanic Arlington Costco Tire Shop Supervisor Middleton Courtesy Ford Technician Sauk City Firestone General Service Technician Jefferson County Sheriff's Dept Auto Mechanic Jefferson JK Rock Maintenance Worker Fitchburg Lodi Shell Auto Technician Lodi Metro Ford of Madison Lube & Quick Service Monona Tire West Towne Auto Technician Sherwood Automotive Technician Columbus Wal-Mart Service Technician Portage * - Wisconsin TechConnectTM jobs are posted through a statewide consortium operated and funded by all 16 of the technical colleges in Wisconsin.
** - 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 techconnect@madisoncollege.edu