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Business Generalist
Program Number: 301025
Your Degree: Technical Diploma
Estimated Time to Complete: 19 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
Delivery Method: 100% In Person, 100% Online, Some Online/Some In Person
Area of Study: Business
Estimated Program Cost: $4,089.53
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  • Program Overview

    The Business Generalist short-term technical diploma will prepare you with valuable knowledge including foundational business, accounting, marketing, business math, writing, and Excel skills. In addition to these skills, the Business Generalist diploma provides you with a pathway to multiple business programs at Madison College and 4-year transfer partners.

    Program Details

    Students in the Business Generalist program can attend full or part-time. Start classes in September, October, January, March, or June.

    Business Generalist classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

    • Madison - Truax
    • Madison - South
    • Fort Atkinson
    • Portage
    • Reedsburg
    • Watertown

    Your Advantages at Madison College

    Faculty members with years of business experience lead courses.

    • Courses focus on active learning through simulations, cases, and sharing of business experiences rather than passive textbook learning.
    • Courses are offered online, face-to-face or 8-week accelerated delivery.
    • Full-time or part-time options are available.
    • Career pathways available to double major in Human Resources and transfer to four-year institutions.

    Careers

    Graduates with a Business Generalist Diploma from Madison College are ready for a range of professional positions, such as: 

    • Office Clerk 
    • Account Representative
    • Marketing Assistant 
    • Administrative Assistant
    • Supervisor

  • Program Courses

    Here's a sample course sequence that shows how classes for full-time students are typically organized by semester. 

    Once you're admitted, your full curriculum and sequence—including any pre-requisites—is defined in your Degree Progress Report.

    First Semester
    10-102-134
    Introduction to Business
    Explore concepts related to business strategy, marketing, operations, finance, and corporate culture, as well as their interrelationship within the organization. Expand understanding through case studies and a computer business simulation. Recognize the role of small businesses and their participation in international markets. Use an Ethics framework, further explored in upper-level Program classes, to promote and enforce ethical behavior.
    3 credits
    10-106-109
    Business Spreadsheet Applications
    Create professional, data-driven workbooks using Microsoft Excel. Develop skills with formulas, functions, worksheet formatting, charts, tables, conditional formatting, multiple worksheets and workbooks, templates, data validation, worksheet protection, and macros. Import and cleanse data, perform what-if analysis using Scenario Manager, Data Tables, and Solver, and complete loan amortization, investment analysis, and asset depreciation calculations.
    3 credits
    10-801-195
    Written Communication
    Develops workplace writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on workplace subject matter and content.
    3 credits
    10-804-144
    Math of Finance
    This course takes an algebraic approach to solving financial problems. Topics include personal finance and retirement, mathematics of retailing, mathematics of banking and lending, and statistical applications. Major emphasis is placed on solving problems involving the time value of money by using a financial calculator. The material in this course develops a sound base for subsequent courses by using an analytical approach to problem solving.
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-101-111
    Accounting 1 - Principles
    Introduction to the field of accounting. The accounting cycle of journalizing transactions, posting, adjusting and closing entries, as well as the preparation of accounting statements is emphasized for service industries and merchandising concerns. Details of accounting for cash and receivables are studied. An introduction to a computerized accounting system is also included.
    4 credits
    10-104-102
    Marketing Principles
    Explore the dynamic and engaging world of marketing where creativity meets strategy. This course dives into the four key principles: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Students will uncover how marketing shapes business through topics like target markets, consumer behavior, product development, pricing strategies, distribution channels, and innovative promotions.
    3 credits

  • How to Apply

    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 2026

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2026

    Spring 2027

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2027

    Summer 2027

    • Application available on September 15, 2026
    • Application completion deadline is July 15, 2027

    Fall 2027

    • Application available on October 15, 2026
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2027

    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. 

    Questions?

    Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the Business Generalist program at Madison College, you will be able to:

    • Function effectively in a business organizational environment
    • Use critical thinking skills to analyze and solve business problems
    • Apply your knowledge of accounting, business, math of finance and technology skills to ensure efficiency in the workplace

    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      		20242025
      Number of Program Graduates1452
      Number of Surveys Sent1452
      Number of Surveys Returned1149
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment223
      Percent Available for Employment18.2%46.9%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market81.8%49.0%
      Available for Employment

      		20242025
      Graduates Employed223
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.0%100.0%
      Employed in Related Occupation115
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation50.0%65.2%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation08
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation0.0%34.8%
      Employed - No Response10
      Percent Employed - No Response50.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment00
      Percent Seeking Employment0.0%0.0%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      		20242025
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.23.3
      Number of Satisfaction Responses532
      Very Satisfied (4)112
      Percent Very Satisfied20.0%37.5%
      Satisfied (3)419
      Percent Satisfied80.0%59.4%
      Unsatisfied (2)01
      Percent Unsatisfied0.0%3.1%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      		20242025
      Number of Primary Reason Responses1149
      Preparation for Getting a Job211
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job18.2%22.4%
      Career Change11
      Percent Career Change9.1%2.0%
      Improvement of Existing Skills17
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills9.1%14.3%
      Preparation for Further Education624
      Percent Preparation for Further Education54.5%49.0%
      Personal Interest16
      Percent Personal Interest9.1%12.2%
      Other00
      Percent Other0.0%0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      		20242025
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses123
      Before Enrollment09
      Percent Before Enrollment0.0%39.1%
      While Attending the College110
      Percent While Attending the College100.0%43.5%
      After Training at the College04
      Percent After Training at the College0.0%17.4%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      		20242025
      Number of Employment Location Responses225
      In College District117
      Percent In College District50.0%68.0%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District04
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.0%16.0%
      Outside of Wisconsin01
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%4.0%
      Employer Location Unknown13
      Percent Location Unknown50.0%12.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend20242025
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count11
      Average Monthly Wage$3,896
      Average Hourly Wage$22.65
      Average Work Hours per Week42.1
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count11
      Average Hourly Wage$33.66$15.39
      Average Work Hours per Week20.028.5

    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2025
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      AlciviaCustomer Solutions SpecialistCottage Grove
      Alliance Laundry SystemsProduction SupervisorRipon
      AprilaireOperations SpecialistPoynette
      Archie MonumentsAdministrative/SalesRichland Center
      Compadres Mexican RestaurantManagerMiddleton
      Culver'sTraining CoordinatorPortage
      Dairy QueenShift Lead
      Dept of RevenueCompliance Revenue Agent
      Epic Systems CorpApplication Services OperationsVerona
      Lotus SalonCosmetology ApprenticeStoughton
      Pepsi-Cola of MadisonAccount ManagerWindsor
      Self-EmployedBusiness Owner/Executive Manager
      Stark Company RealtorsReal Estate AgentSun Prairie
      UW HealthClinical Operations Assistant

      * - 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

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