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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.
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Admission
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
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
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 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
Fall 2026
- Application available on September 15, 2025
- 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.
