Cars. You love everything about them – from driving to tinkering to keeping them running. Have we got a degree for you.
Automotive Technology Comprehensive Image of Student
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Automotive Technology-Comprehensive
Program Number: 106026
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Transportation
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
69 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$12,413.60

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    The Automotive Technology program at Madison college is a two-year associate degree in automotive mechanical systems. Graduates may choose to go on to earn a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution.

    As an Automotive Technology-Comprehensive student, you will:

    • Develop hands-on skills in automotive and light truck technology, diagnosis and repair, focusing on electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems.
    • Learn about engine breathing, ignition systems, computer control and sensors, fuel and air management and emission systems.
    • Develop the skills needed to diagnose, service, repair automatic transmission/transaxles and overhaul procedures.
    • Test equipment and troubleshoot circuits, such as lighting, windshield wipers, power windows, instruments and sound systems.
    • Cover in detail service department operation and depth, from large to small organizations.
    • Receive hands-on experience, including inspecting, troubleshooting, and repairing and replacing defective or worn parts of the complete brake system.
    • Gain skills needed to diagnose, service and repair clutches, manual transmissions/transaxle, differentials, four-wheel drive/all-wheel drive and drive axles.

    We strongly recommend that you work in the automobile repair industry while in this program to gain additional real-world experience.

    Automotive Technology Program Details​

    Students in the Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program can attend full- or part-time.

    Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.

    Students who are in the Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program who finish the course work for the Automotive Technician program will receive the Automotive Technician Technical diploma on their way to earn the Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program degree. 

    Automotive Technology Careers

    Earning your associate degree in the Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:

    • Service Technician
    • Service Writer
    • Auto Parts Salesperson
    • Diagnostic Specialist
    • Service Manager
    • Specialized Technician
    • Equipment Salesperson
    • Equipment Service and Training Technician
    • Service Director
    • Lab Technician
    • Shop Owner
    • Fleet Manager
    • Service Writer
    • Parts and Sales Specialist

    ​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

    Accreditation

    The Automotive Technology-Comprehensive program is accredited through the ASE Education Foundation.

  • 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
    10-602-158
    1 credit
    10-602-163
    5 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-602-154
    5 credits
    10-602-155
    5 credits
    10-602-162
    2 credits
    10-804-134
    3 credits
    10-809-195
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-602-150
    5 credits
    10-602-152
    5 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 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 Technology-Comprehensive career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Transfer Opportunities

    UW System Schools

    The terms of the Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete an associates of applied science degree and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis of the Leadership and Organizational Studies at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
    Madison College students with an associate of applied science in this program who transfer to UW-Platteville will transfer in with articulated general education transfer credit, 12 credits of 1000T Industrial Studies credits, and 15 credits of 3000T Industrial Studies credits. The 27 credits of Industrial Studies electives will be applied to the Industrial Technology Management (ITM) major. Students will then complete the baccalaureate degree requirements at UW-Platteville including all remaining general education requirements and major requirements.

    Wisconsin Private Schools

    A student who completes an associate of arts, associate of science or associates of applied science is considered part of the ‘advanced core‘. The Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 64 credits of transfer. If students transfer prior to completion or with less than 64 credits they will be considered part of the standard core and credits will be evaluated on a course by course basis.
    Students will be granted admission to a bachelors degree program upon completion of an approved transfer program at Madison College. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while at Madison College. Regardless of the number of credits transferred students must complete at least 25% of their baccalaureate degree credits at Herzing University University University.
    Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
    Any Madison College student who has successfully completed an associate degree in applied science after 2015, and meets admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Technical Sales at MSOE by successfully completing the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Business Administration program. --- In particular, any Madison College student who successfully completes all technical courses and general education courses in their AAS program with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; successfully completes all other specified courses, as defined in this transfer agreement, with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; and meets the MSOE admission requirements for transfer students into the BBA Program at MSOE, minimum 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from the last regionally accredited school will be admitted into the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at MSOE.

    Out-of-State Schools

    Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.
    Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring. Articulation agreement is for students who graduate from appropriate program and wish to pursue one of the following degrees at Capella: Bachelor of Science in Business specializations, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Public Safety specializations, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (must hold a valid RN license) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
    Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.
    Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of all Madison College graduates with an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate of Applied Science. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer additional credits (up to a maximum of 94) toward their baccalaureate degree.
  • Career Outcomes

    MATC Automotive Technology-Comprehensive 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 Graduates1659
      Number of Surveys Sent1659
      Number of Surveys Returned935
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment935
      Percent Available for Employment100.00%100.00%100.00%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed835
      Percent of Graduates Employed88.90%100.00%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation724
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation87.50%66.70%80.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation111
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation12.50%33.30%20.00%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment100
      Percent Seeking Employment11.10%0.00%0.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.533.8
      Number of Satisfaction Responses835
      Very Satisfied (4)414
      Percent Very Satisfied50.00%33.30%80.00%
      Satisfied (3)411
      Percent Satisfied50.00%33.30%20.00%
      Unsatisfied (2)010
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%33.30%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 Responses935
      Preparation for Getting a Job511
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job55.60%33.30%20.00%
      Career Change111
      Percent Career Change11.10%33.30%20.00%
      Improvement of Existing Skills101
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills11.10%0.00%20.00%
      Preparation for Further Education100
      Percent Preparation for Further Education11.10%0.00%0.00%
      Personal Interest112
      Percent Personal Interest11.10%33.30%40.00%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses735
      Before Enrollment411
      Percent Before Enrollment57.10%33.30%20.00%
      While Attending the College211
      Percent While Attending the College28.60%33.30%20.00%
      After Training at the College113
      Percent After Training at the College14.30%33.30%60.00%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses723
      In College District721
      Percent In College District100.00%100.00%33.30%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin002
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%0.00%66.70%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count724
      Average Monthly Wage$3,031$3,870$2,979
      Average Hourly Wage$17.62$22.50$17.32
      Average Work Hours per Week42.36043.8
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count
      Average Hourly Wage
      Average Work Hours per Week
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      JRC EnterprisesAuto TechnicianColumbus
      Keffer KiaAutomotive TechnicianMooresvilleNC
      Stevenson-Hendrick Honda of WilmingtonService AdvisorWilmingtonNC

      * - 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

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