Mechanical Design Technology

Associate Degree in Applied Science

Program number: 106061

Overview

Overview

As a Mechanical Design Technology student, you will: 

  • Apply skills that are used to assist in the design process for manufactured products used in everyday life.
  • Analyze product reliability costs and design to meet customer needs.
  • Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to design parametric part models.
  • Use state-of-the-art additive manufacturing technology when creating 3D printed or rapid prototyped parts.
  • Acquire hands-on training in various manufacturing processes including machine tool operations, plastics processes, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), hydraulics and pneumatics.
  • Interpret and apply American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) drawing standards when creating engineering drawings.
  • Apply common industry quality practices when designing parts.
  • Learn to work effectively in a team environment.
  • Use project management principles when planning for projects, including scope, time and cost.
  • Apply math, science and communication skills.
  • Explore potential design career paths through field trips to high-tech companies.

Program Details

Students in the Mechanical Design Technology program can attend full or part time.

Mechanical Design Technology program classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

  • Madison - Truax

Explore financial aid eligibility for Mechanical Design Technology. 

All courses for this program are offered only in person.

Mechanical Design Technology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gftOkxbylvM

Admission

Admission

To Apply

  • Visit MATC to learn more about the Madison College experience including campus tours and program open houses.

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 Enrollment Services 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 2019-2020 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.

Outcomes

Outcomes

MATC Mechanical Design Technology program graduates are prepared to:  

  • Prepare detail and assembly drawings for documentation of mechanical components and products.
  • Create computer-aid design (CAD) geometry, parts and assemblies.
  • Design mechanical components and products.
  • Analyze mechanical engineering problems.
  • Select purchased parts.
  • Work effectively and productively, both independently and within a team work environment to develop customer focused needs. 
Careers

Careers

Earning your Associate Degree in the Mechanical Design Technology program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:

  • Mechanical Drafter
  • Mechanical Design Technician
  • Detailer
  • CAD Drafter
  • Mechanical Designer

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:

  • Senior Mechanical Designer
  • Tool Designer
  • Mold Designer
  • CAD Specialist
  • Design Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Machine Designer
  • Professional Engineer
  • Engineering Consultant
  • Director 

​Graduates of this program have excellent career potential.

  • The average starting salary over the past two years for graduates of the Mechanical Design Technology program at Madison College ranges from $39,500 to $54,500.
  • Opportunities exist for graduates to transfer to four-year engineering degree programs, which upon successful completion potentially enhance job potential and growth. 

Find open jobs in this industry on Wisconsin TechConnecttm

Wisconsin TechConnect Connecting Skills with Jobs

  • Estimated Program Cost
    # of Credits for Completion
    70
    Tuition
    $9555.00
    Materials/Supplemental Costs
    $1186.30
    Other Costs
    $0.00
    Total Estimated Program Costs:
    (book costs not included)
    $10741.30
  • Graduate Summary
    Graduate Report Summary Overview

    		 2016 2017 2018
    Number of Program Graduates 10 17 13
    Number of Surveys Sent 9 17 12
    Number of Surveys Returned 8 15 9
    Percent of Surveys Returned 88.90% 88.20% 75.00%
    Available for Employment 8 15 9
    Percent Available for Employment 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
    Not in Labor Market 0 0 0
    Percent Not in Labor Market 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
    Available for Employment

    		 2016 2017 2018
    Graduates Employed 8 13 9
    Percent of Graduates Employed 100.00% 86.70% 100.00%
    Employed in Related Occupation 7 8 7
    Percent Employed in Related Occupation 87.50% 61.50% 77.80%
    Employed in Unrelated Occupation 1 5 2
    Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 12.50% 38.50% 22.20%
    Employed - No Response 0 0 0
    Percent Employed - No Response 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
    Seeking Employment 0 2 0
    Percent Seeking Employment 0.00% 13.30% 0.00%
    Reaction To Training at Madison College

    		 2016 2017 2018
    Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.4 3.4 3.3
    Number of Satisfaction Responses 8 14 9
    Very Satisfied 3 6 5
    Percent Very Satisfied 37.50% 42.90% 55.60%
    Satisfied 5 8 3
    Percent Satisfied 62.50% 57.10% 33.30%
    Unsatisfied 0 0 0
    Percent Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
    Very Unsatisfied 0 0 1
    Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 11.10%
    Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

    		 2016 2017 2018
    Number of Primary Reason Responses 8 15 9
    Preparation for Getting a Job 4 7 4
    Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 50.00% 46.70% 44.40%
    Career Change 3 5 4
    Percent Career Change 37.50% 33.30% 44.40%
    Improvement of Existing Skills 0 3 1
    Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 0.00% 20.00% 11.10%
    Preparation for Further Education 1 0 0
    Percent Preparation for Further Education 12.50% 0.00% 0.00%
    Personal Interest 0 0 0
    Percent Personal Interest 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
    Other 0 0 0
    Percent Other 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
    When Employment was Obtained

    		 2016 2017 2018
    Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 8 13 9
    Before Enrollment 1 3 1
    Percent Before Enrollment 12.50% 23.10% 11.10%
    While Attending the College 2 6 4
    Percent While Attending the College 25.00% 46.20% 44.40%
    After Training at the College 5 4 4
    Percent After Training at the College 62.50% 30.80% 44.40%
    Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

    		 2016 2017 2018
    Number of Employment Location Responses 8 13 9
    In College District 5 13 8
    Percent In College District 62.50% 100.00% 88.90%
    In Wisconsin, Not in District 2 0 1
    Percent of In Wisconsin 25.00% 0.00% 11.10%
    Outside of Wisconsin 1 0 0
    Percent Outside Wisconsin 12.50% 0.00% 0.00%
    Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0
    Percent Location Unknown 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
    Salary Trend
    Salary Trend 2016 2017 2018
    Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 6 7 7
    Average Monthly Wage $3,197 $3,229 $3,861
    Average Hourly Wage $18.59 $18.77 $22.45
    Average Work Hours per Week 41.4 43.6 42.1
    Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1
    Average Hourly Wage $14.00
    Average Work Hours per Week 15
  • Graduate Employers
    Total Positions Open for academic year: 2018
    Wisconsin TechConnectTM Jobs* Madison Non-Madison
    Number of Full Time Positions Open 77 606
    Number of Part Time Positions Open 8 79
    Total Jobs 85 685
    Graduate Employers for academic year: 2018
    Employer(s) Job Title City** State*** Positions
    Diesel Forward Manufacturing Engineer Windsor
    Plastic Ingenuity Inc Mechanical Engineering Intern Cross Plains
    Sub-Zero Freezer Co, Inc Drafter 2
    Tormach Inc Mechanical Design Technician Waunakee
    United Science Mechanical Designer Osceola
    Wisconsin Built Engineer Deerfield

    * - Wisconsin TechConnectTM jobs are posted through a statewide consortium operated and funded by all 16 of the technical colleges in Wisconsin.

    ** - 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 techconnect@madisoncollege.edu

Resources