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Program Overview
Hospitality Specialist, the one-year technical diploma at Madison College, is designed to help you obtain skills needed to begin or continue your career in the expansive hospitality industry. Hospitality includes careers in tourism, hotels and resorts, gaming establishments, event services, restaurants, bakeries, catering services, health care facilities, and schools.
The Hospitality Specialist program incorporates comprehensive hands-on learning experiences that will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities in hospitality. You will hone your customer service and communication skills and learn about industry trends, marketing, business, accounting fundamentals, social media, meeting management, and law.
After completing the Hospitality Specialist diploma, you have the opportunity to further your education and expand your career potential by enrolling in our Hospitality Management associate degree program.
Program Details
Students in the Hospitality Specialist technical program can attend part-time or full-time, online or in person.
- Madison – Truax
- Online
Careers
After completing the Hospitality Specialist Technical program at Madison Area Technical College, examples of opportunities for your career starting point include but are not limited to the following areas:
- Bar or Restaurant Supervisor
- Casino Supervisor
- Catering Assistant
- Convention Services Specialist
- Front Office Manager
- Guest Services Coordinator
- Hospitality Coordinator
- Housekeeping Leader
- Meeting or Event Coordinator
- Reservation Specialist
- Operations Specialist
- Sales Manager
- Spa Manager
- Special Event Coordinator
- Tour Guide
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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
To Apply
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.
Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes, or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.
Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2026
Summer 2026
- Application available on September 15, 2025
- Application completion deadline is July 15, 2026
Fall 2026
- Application available on September 15, 2025
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 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.
Additional Notes
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a certificate or waiting list does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the certificate.
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 Hospitality Specialist career.
