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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.
Automotive Technical Training
Through the technical courses, you will use modern tools and equipment to develop skills in diagnosis, service, troubleshooting, testing, repair and overhaul, with a focus on electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems. You will get hands-on experience with:
- automatic transmission/transaxles
- clutches
- manual transmissions/transaxle
- differentials
- four-wheel drive/all-wheel drive
- drive axles
- engine breathing
- ignition systems
- computer control and sensors
- fuel and air management
- emission systems
- lighting
- windshield wipers
- power windows
- instruments
- sound systems
- complete brake systems
- heating and air conditioning systems, including vacuum and electrical controls
- automatic temperature control systems
We strongly recommend that you work in the auto repair industry while in this program in order to gain additional hands-on experience.
Technical Diploma Program Details
Students in the Automotive Technician program can attend full or part time.
Automotive Technician program classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.
Earn Automotive 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 Technician program gives you one of the two years of technical experience required for the ASE Certification.

The Automotive Technology program is accredited through the ASE Education Foundation. Choose Automotive Technology at Madison College
The Automotive Technology program also offers an associate degree for those who want to take their career beyond technical work.
Learn more about our program options and why students choose Madison College to train for an automotive career.

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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2026-2027 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!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Apply Now – Limited Seats Available!
This program has limited capacity and may reach maximum enrollment quickly. Applying early gives you the best chance of securing a spot.
- Program capacity: 80 students every fall semester. It shares capacity with other programs that have a similar curriculum.
If the program reaches capacity, a waiting list will be used to manage additional qualified applicants. However, we’d anticipate only a brief wait for most applicants.
- Students are added to the waiting list based on the date they complete all application requirements
- Being on the waiting list gives you priority for future openings
- Priority does not guarantee a spot in the program
- You may remain on the waiting list if you continue to follow the steps to notify Madison College of your continued interest
Application Dates
Fall 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2026
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
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a program or waiting list does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the program.
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
Earning your two-year Technical Diploma in the Automotive Technology program at Madison 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
The skills you’ll gain in this program are versatile and can be applied to careers beyond automotive technician. You’ll also be prepared for employment in other industries such as:
- Forklift Service
- Small Engine
- Industrial Equipment Repair
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Automotive Tools and Equipment Sales
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2023 2024 2025 Number of Program Graduates 11 44 44 Number of Surveys Sent 11 44 44 Number of Surveys Returned 10 27 21 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 9 24 21 Percent Available for Employment 90.0% 88.9% 100.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 10.0% 7.4% 0.0% Available for Employment
2023 2024 2025 Graduates Employed 9 23 21 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 95.8% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 8 20 19 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 88.9% 87.0% 90.5% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 1 2 2 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 11.1% 8.7% 9.5% Employed - No Response 0 1 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 4.3% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 1 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 4.2% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2023 2024 2025 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.4 3.5 3.8 Number of Satisfaction Responses 10 26 21 Very Satisfied (4) 4 15 16 Percent Very Satisfied 40.0% 57.7% 76.2% Satisfied (3) 6 10 5 Percent Satisfied 60.0% 38.5% 23.8% Unsatisfied (2) 0 1 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 3.8% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2023 2024 2025 Number of Primary Reason Responses 10 26 21 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
2023 2024 2025 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 9 22 21 Before Enrollment 5 7 11 Percent Before Enrollment 55.6% 31.8% 52.4% While Attending the College 1 12 6 Percent While Attending the College 11.1% 54.5% 28.6% After Training at the College 3 3 4 Percent After Training at the College 33.3% 13.6% 19.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2023 2024 2025 Number of Employment Location Responses 9 24 21 In College District 8 21 21 Percent In College District 88.9% 87.5% 100.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 1 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 11.1% 0.0% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 1 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 4.2% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 2 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 8.3% 0.0% Salary Trend 2023 2024 2025 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 7 17 18 Average Monthly Wage $3,845 $4,048 $3,655 Average Hourly Wage $22.36 $23.53 $21.25 Average Work Hours per Week 44.6 42.4 42.4 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 1 Average Hourly Wage $17.50 $18.00 Average Work Hours per Week 9.0 15.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2025 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Bergstrom Chevrolet-Cadillac-Oldsmobile Automotive Technician Middleton 3 Camperland RV Technician/Sales Don Miller Automotive Technician Gary Wille's Auto Service & Tire Center Automotive Mechanic Oregon Kayser Automotive Group Technician Apprentice Sauk City Kearns Motor Car Co Automotive Technician Johnson Creek Parks' Automotive Automotive Technician DeForest Russ Darrow Lube Technician Smart Motors Automotive Technician Smart Motors Automotive Maintenance Technician Smart Motors Automotive Mechanic Wal-Mart Automotive Technician Zimbrick Inc Automotive Service Technician 4 Zimbrick Inc Automotive Service Technician Sun Prairie * - 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
The two-year technical diploma will equip you with the technical skills required to diagnose and repair automotive and light truck mechanical and electrical systems.
Automotive Technician
Program Number: 324042
Your Degree: Technical Diploma
Estimated Time to Complete: 55 Credits | Finish diploma in 2 years
Delivery Method: 100% In Person
Area of Study: Transportation
Estimated Program Cost: $11,358.85
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