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Mechanical Design Technology
Program Number: 106061
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Architecture and Engineering
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
70 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

$11,755.25

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program 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 are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.

    Mechanical Design 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. 
  • 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.

    It is strongly recommended to meet with an academic advisor or faculty advisor upon admission to the program and prior to enrolling in courses.
    For students planning on transferring, consult your advisor for the best course choices when options are available.
    First Semester
    10-606-130
    1 credit
    10-606-131
    2 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    10-804-115
    5 credits
    Second Semester
    10-606-132
    2 credits
    10-606-140
    1 credit
    10-606-155
    3 credits
    10-606-161
    2 credits
    10-606-170
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
    Third Semester (Summer)
    Fourth Semester
    10-457-100
    2 credits
    10-462-104
    1 credit
    10-606-104
    3 credits
    10-606-116
    3 credits
    10-606-125
    3 credits
    10-606-164
    2 credits
    10-809-166
    3 credits
    Fifth Semester
    10-606-112
    3 credits
    10-606-150
    2 credits
    10-801-197
    3 credits
    10-806-154
    4 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 Mechanical Design Technology career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Transfer Opportunities

    UW System Schools

    Students who complete the applied associates degree in Mechanical Engineering may have up to 70-71 credits applied toward the BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Students interested in this path are strongly recommended to complete Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 and 2 at Madison College. Students must meet all UWGB degree requirements for graduation. At least 30 credits must be completed at UWGB to satisfy the UWGB residency requirement.
    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 who complete the Associate Degree of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, Mechanical Design Technology, Electromechanical Technology or Automated Manufacturing Systems Technology at Madison College will be guaranteed admission to Edgewood College when students transfer directly from Madison College to Edgewood College within 5 years of completing the Associate Degree.
    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.
    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 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. 
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates141211
      Number of Surveys Sent141210
      Number of Surveys Returned1197
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment1197
      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 Employed997
      Percent of Graduates Employed81.80%100.00%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation786
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation77.80%88.90%85.70%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation211
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation22.20%11.10%14.30%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment200
      Percent Seeking Employment18.20%0.00%0.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.133.4
      Number of Satisfaction Responses1197
      Very Satisfied (4)413
      Percent Very Satisfied36.40%11.10%42.90%
      Satisfied (3)574
      Percent Satisfied45.50%77.80%57.10%
      Unsatisfied (2)110
      Percent Unsatisfied9.10%11.10%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)100
      Percent Very Unsatisfied9.10%0.00%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses1197
      Preparation for Getting a Job551
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job45.50%55.60%14.30%
      Career Change104
      Percent Career Change9.10%0.00%57.10%
      Improvement of Existing Skills411
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills36.40%11.10%14.30%
      Preparation for Further Education110
      Percent Preparation for Further Education9.10%11.10%0.00%
      Personal Interest021
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%22.20%14.30%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses997
      Before Enrollment211
      Percent Before Enrollment22.20%11.10%14.30%
      While Attending the College221
      Percent While Attending the College22.20%22.20%14.30%
      After Training at the College565
      Percent After Training at the College55.60%66.70%71.40%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses976
      In College District875
      Percent In College District88.90%100.00%83.30%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin101
      Percent Outside Wisconsin11.10%0.00%16.70%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count776
      Average Monthly Wage$4,370$3,959$3,882
      Average Hourly Wage$25.41$23.02$22.57
      Average Work Hours per Week42.44047
      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
      ActalentDraftsman
      Aero Simulation Inc.DesignerTampaFL
      Milwaukee ToolDesignerBrookfield
      Springfield Industries, IncMechanical Design EngineerWaunakee
      Sub Zero WolffMechanical DesignerFitchburg
      Sussek Machine Corp.Design EngineerWaterloo

      * - 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 Engineering, Science, and Mathematics

Madison Truax Campus
Main Building, C2433

1701 Wright Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

esm@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.6990

Hours

  • Monday – Thursday: 8 am - 4:30 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm (Phone and email only.)