Once they put computers in cars, keeping them running became a whole new thing. Do you have the drive?
Person showing students the underneath of a car.
ASE
Automotive Service Excellence
Master Certified Instructors
Learn from the best
Our instructors have over 100 years of experience in the auto industry.
99%
Student Satisfaction
99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
Automotive Technician
Program Number: 324042
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Transportation
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
54 Credits | Finish diploma in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$9,992.60

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program 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 ASE Education Foundation.

    Program Details

    Students in the Automotive Technician program can attend full or part time.

    Automotive Technician program classes may be offered at this Madison College campus:

    • Madison – Truax

    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

    Earn Industry Certifications

    EPA 609 Certification
    You will be trained and test to receive the EPA 609 certification for Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning systems. This is required to service and repair automobile air conditioning systems.

    ASE Certification
    Completing the Automotive Service Technician program gives you 1 of the 2 years of technical experience required for the ASE Certification.

  • 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.

    First Semester
    10-602-100
    2 credits
    10-602-101
    3 credits
    10-602-124
    3 credits
    10-602-126
    2 credits
    10-602-166
    5 credits
    Second Semester
    10-457-100
    2 credits
    10-602-157
    5 credits
    10-602-163
    5 credits
    Third Semester
    10-602-154
    5 credits
    10-602-158
    1 credit
    10-602-155
    5 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-602-150
    5 credits
    10-602-152
    5 credits
    10-602-162
    2 credits
  • 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 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is August 31, 2024

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is January 15, 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.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Automotive Technician career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    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.
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates191313
      Number of Surveys Sent181313
      Number of Surveys Returned14512
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment13512
      Percent Available for Employment92.90%100.00%100.00%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market7.10%0.00%0.00%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed12512
      Percent of Graduates Employed92.30%100.00%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation11410
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation91.70%80.00%83.30%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation112
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation8.30%20.00%16.70%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment100
      Percent Seeking Employment7.70%0.00%0.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.73.43.6
      Number of Satisfaction Responses14512
      Very Satisfied (4)1027
      Percent Very Satisfied71.40%40.00%58.30%
      Satisfied (3)435
      Percent Satisfied28.60%60.00%41.70%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)000
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses14512
      Preparation for Getting a Job605
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job42.90%0.00%41.70%
      Career Change113
      Percent Career Change7.10%20.00%25.00%
      Improvement of Existing Skills423
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills28.60%40.00%25.00%
      Preparation for Further Education100
      Percent Preparation for Further Education7.10%0.00%0.00%
      Personal Interest221
      Percent Personal Interest14.30%40.00%8.30%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses11512
      Before Enrollment522
      Percent Before Enrollment45.50%40.00%16.70%
      While Attending the College304
      Percent While Attending the College27.30%0.00%33.30%
      After Training at the College336
      Percent After Training at the College27.30%60.00%50.00%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses959
      In College District959
      Percent In College District100.00%100.00%100.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin000
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count11310
      Average Monthly Wage$2,912$3,340$3,079
      Average Hourly Wage$16.93$19.42$17.90
      Average Work Hours per Week44.543.341.7
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count1
      Average Hourly Wage$13.00
      Average Work Hours per Week30
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Agustin's Auto ServicesOwner/Technician
      Bergstrom Chevrolet-Cadillac-OldsmobileAutomotive Technician
      Bill FritzTechnician
      Byrider MadisonTechnician
      East Madison ToyotaTechnician
      Ewald Automotive GroupPartsOconomowoc
      Harold's Muffler & Auto CareMechanicFort Atkinson
      Jon Lancaster, IncExpress Technician
      Premier CooperativeAutomotive TechnicianMount Horeb
      Southside AutomotiveAutomotive TechnicianBeaver Dam

      * - 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

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)

Ready to get started?
Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!