Automotive Technician

91%

Employed

91% of our recent graduates got a job in the industry.

99%

Student Satisfaction

99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.

$35k

Annual Salary

Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $34,944.

Data source: Graduate Summary Report

Technical Diploma

Program Number: 324042

Credits: 58

Area of Study: Transportation

Delivery Method:
100% In Person*

Financial Aid Available

Estimated Program Cost:

Tuition - $8,178.00
Materials/Supplemental Costs
-
$2,556.80
Other Costs
-
$0.00
----------------
Total Estimated Program Costs*:
$10,734.80
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 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 these Madison College campuses:

  • Madison - Truax
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 the Enrollment Center 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 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.

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 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

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 Handshake

Handshake - matching highly-skilled students and alumni with jobs

 

  • Graduate Summary
    Graduate Report Summary Overview

    		201820192020
    Number of Program Graduates282119
    Number of Surveys Sent282118
    Number of Surveys Returned161114
    Percent of Surveys Returned57.1%52.4%77.8%
    Available for Employment161113
    Percent Available for Employment100.0%100.0%92.9%
    Not in Labor Market001
    Percent Not in Labor Market0.0%0.0%7.1%
    Available for Employment

    		201820192020
    Graduates Employed161012
    Percent of Graduates Employed100.0%90.9%92.3%
    Employed in Related Occupation14811
    Percent Employed in Related Occupation87.5%80.0%91.7%
    Employed in Unrelated Occupation211
    Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation12.5%10.0%8.3%
    Employed - No Response010
    Percent Employed - No Response0.0%10.0%0.0%
    Seeking Employment011
    Percent Seeking Employment0.0%9.1%7.7%
    Reaction To Training at Madison College

    		201820192020
    Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.63.53.7
    Number of Satisfaction Responses161114
    Very Satisfied (4)13610
    Percent Very Satisfied81.3%54.5%71.4%
    Satisfied (3)154
    Percent Satisfied6.3%45.5%28.6%
    Unsatisfied (2)100
    Percent Unsatisfied6.3%0.0%0.0%
    Very Unsatisfed (1)100
    Percent Very Unsatisfied6.3%0.0%0.0%
    Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

    		201820192020
    Number of Primary Reason Responses161114
    Preparation for Getting a Job636
    Percent Preparation for Getting a Job37.5%27.3%42.9%
    Career Change021
    Percent Career Change0.0%18.2%7.1%
    Improvement of Existing Skills724
    Percent Improvement of Existing Skills43.8%18.2%28.6%
    Preparation for Further Education111
    Percent Preparation for Further Education6.3%9.1%7.1%
    Personal Interest232
    Percent Personal Interest12.5%27.3%14.3%
    Other000
    Percent Other0.0%0.0%0.0%
    When Employment was Obtained

    		201820192020
    Number of When Employment Obtained Responses9911
    Before Enrollment125
    Percent Before Enrollment11.1%22.2%45.5%
    While Attending the College333
    Percent While Attending the College33.3%33.3%27.3%
    After Training at the College543
    Percent After Training at the College55.6%44.4%27.3%
    Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

    		201820192020
    Number of Employment Location Responses161012
    In College District1689
    Percent In College District100.0%80.0%75.0%
    In Wisconsin, Not in District003
    Percent of In Wisconsin0.0%0.0%25.0%
    Outside of Wisconsin020
    Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%20.0%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 Count11811
    Average Monthly Wage$2,429$2,934$2,912
    Average Hourly Wage$14.12$17.06$16.93
    Average Work Hours per Week42.540.444.5
    Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count0
    Average Hourly Wage
    Average Work Hours per Week18.0
  • Graduate Employers
    Graduate Employers for academic year: 2019
    Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions
    ADESA Salt Lake Vehicle Inspector Salt Lake City UT
    American Auto Madison LLC Automotive Technician
    Dells Auto Center Automotive Technician Wisconsin Dells
    Jon Lancaster, Inc Express Technician
    Metro Ford Of Madison Automotive Technician
    South Street Motors Auto Mechanic Sun Prairie
    Zimbrick Inc Service Technician
    Zimbrick Inc 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

Resources

Related program