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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 are offered at the Madison Truax campus.
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
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.
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
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 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 SemesterSecond SemesterThird SemesterFourth Semester -
Admission
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
To Apply
Submit all application materials by the deadline.
Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
Program Status: Waitlist
Due to demand, the program is currently accepting students to the waitlist.
- This program is available to in-state residents only
- Estimated wait time: 0-1 year
- Students will be notified by email when space becomes available
- Selection from the waitlist into the program is based on:
- Date of application completion
- Residency
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
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience 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
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
3. Residency Requirement
Per Wisconsin Statute TCS-10 because this program has a waitlist:
- Out-of-state residents (except Minnesota residents*) are not eligible for admission consideration to this program
- Non-district state residents
- May only be considered after January 1 for the upcoming fall term
- *Minnesota residents are considered non-district state residents for admission purposes
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 Automotive Technician career.
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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.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 13 11 44 Number of Surveys Sent 13 11 44 Number of Surveys Returned 12 10 27 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 12 9 24 Percent Available for Employment 100.0% 90.0% 88.9% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.0% 10.0% 7.4% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 12 9 23 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 100.0% 95.8% Employed in Related Occupation 10 8 20 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 83.3% 88.9% 87.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 2 1 2 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 16.7% 11.1% 8.7% Employed - No Response 0 0 1 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 4.3% Seeking Employment 0 0 1 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 0.0% 4.2% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.6 3.4 3.5 Number of Satisfaction Responses 12 10 26 Very Satisfied (4) 7 4 15 Percent Very Satisfied 58.3% 40.0% 57.7% Satisfied (3) 5 6 10 Percent Satisfied 41.7% 60.0% 38.5% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 1 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 3.8% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 12 10 26 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% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 12 9 22 Before Enrollment 2 5 7 Percent Before Enrollment 16.7% 55.6% 31.8% While Attending the College 4 1 12 Percent While Attending the College 33.3% 11.1% 54.5% After Training at the College 6 3 3 Percent After Training at the College 50.0% 33.3% 13.6% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 12 9 24 In College District 9 8 21 Percent In College District 75.0% 88.9% 87.5% In Wisconsin, Not in District 3 1 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 25.0% 11.1% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 1 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 4.2% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 2 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 8.3% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 10 7 17 Average Monthly Wage $3,079 $3,845 $4,048 Average Hourly Wage $17.90 $22.36 $23.53 Average Work Hours per Week 41.7 44.6 42.4 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 Average Hourly Wage $17.50 Average Work Hours per Week 9.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Bergstrom Chevrolet-Cadillac-Oldsmobile Service Technician 2 Butch's Repairs Automotive Technician Oregon City of Madison Fleet Technician City of Madison Mechanic Crown Lift Trucks Forklift Service Technician Don Miller Automotive Technician 2 Don Miller Service Technician Don Miller East Maintenance Technician Joe Conant Technician Stoughton Middleton Ford Mobile/Quick Lane Technician Middleton Ness Auto Automotive Technician Lodi Smart Toyota / Volvo Technician Smart Toyota / Volvo Automotive Technician Village Mobil Automotive Technician Waunakee Zimbrick Inc Express Technician Zimbrick Inc Automotive Technician * - 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
