Program Overview

Automotive Technician Technical Diploma

Program Overview

The Automotive Technician program at Madison College is a two-year diploma that covers a wide range of mechanical systems found in automobiles. We strongly recommend that you work in the auto repair industry while in this program in order to gain additional hands-on experience.

As an Automotive Technician student, you will:

• Learn electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems technology.
• Diagnose and repair automotive and light truck equipment.
• Understand engine breathing, ignition systems, computer control and sensors, fuel and air management, and emission systems.
• Gain skills on heating and air conditioning systems, including vacuum and electrical controls, and automatic temperature control systems using modern tools and diagnostic equipment.
• Test equipment and troubleshoot circuits, such as lighting, windshield wipers, power windows, instruments and sound systems.
• Diagnose and rebuild electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems in modern automatic transmissions and transaxles.
• Rebuild clutches, standard transmissions, manual transaxles, drivelines and differentials.

Students who complete the Automotive Technician program earn a two-year technical diploma. Graduates may also attain an associate degree in Automotive Technology by completing the General Education classes for the Automotive Technology-Comprehensive Program.

The Automotive Technician program is accredited through the ASE Education Foundation.

Program Details

• Students in the Automotive Technician program can attend full or part time.
• Automotive Technician program classes are offered at the Madison Truax campus.

Careers

Earning your two-year Technical Diploma in the Automotive Technician program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:

• Automotive Service Technician
• Auto Electronics Specialist
• Transmission and Drive Train Specialist
• Alignment Specialist
• Automotive Machine Specialist
• Service Manager or Assistant Service Manager
• Service Writer
• Parts and Sales Specialists

Earn Industry Certifications

EPA 609 Certification

You will be trained and test to receive the EPA 609 certification for Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning systems. This is required to service and repair automobile air conditioning systems.

ASE Certification

Completing the Automotive Service Technician program gives you 1 of the 2 years of technical experience required for the ASE Certification.

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

• Shop Foreman
• Specialty Technician
• Fleet Dispatcher
• Specialty/Repair Shop Owner
• Service Manager

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

Curriculum and Experience

First Semester

• Automotive Fundamentals (2 credits)
• Automotive Service Procedures (3 credits)
• Automotive Electrical 1 (E1) (3 credits)
• Automotive Electrical 2 (E2) (2 credits)
• Driveability 1 (5 credits)

Second Semester

• Metal Repair Techniques (2 credits)
• Automotive Heating & Air Conditioning Systems (2 credits)
• Technical Braking Systems (5 credits)
• Steering and Suspension Systems (5 credits)

Third Semester

• Hybrid and Alternative Fueled Vehicles (2 credits)
• Automatic Transmissions (5 credits)
• Service Management (1 credit)
• Manual Drivetrains & Axles (5 credits)

Fourth Semester

• Internal Combustion Engines (5 credits)
• Driveability 2 (5 credits)
• Automotive Electrical 3 (E3) (2 credits)

Admission

Application Dates

• Fall 2025: Application open, deadline is August 31, 2025
• Fall 2026: Application available on September 15, 2025, deadline is August 31, 2026

Admission Requirements

• Admission Application
• 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
• Residency Requirement: Per Wisconsin Statute TCS-10 because this program has a waitlist:
  • Out-of-state residents (except Minnesota residents*) are not eligible for admission consideration to this program
  • Non-district state residents:
    • May only be considered after January 1 for the upcoming fall term
    • *Minnesota residents are considered non-district state residents for admission purposes

Career Outcomes

Madison College Automotive Technician 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

• Number of Program Graduates: 13 (2022), 11 (2023), 44 (2024)
• Number of Surveys Sent: 13 (2022), 11 (2023), 44 (2024)
• Number of Surveys Returned: 12 (2022), 10 (2023), 27 (2024)
• Percent of Surveys Returned: 92.3% (2022), 90.9% (2023), 61.4% (2024)
• Available for Employment: 12 (2022), 9 (2023), 24 (2024)
• Percent Available for Employment: 100.0% (2022), 90.0% (2023), 88.9% (2024)
• Not in Labor Market: 0 (2022), 1 (2023), 2 (2024)
• Percent Not in Labor Market: 0.0% (2022), 10.0% (2023), 7.4% (2024)

Graduate Employers

• Bergstrom Chevrolet-Cadillac-Oldsmobile
• Butch's Repairs
• City of Madison
• Crown Lift Trucks
• Don Miller
• Joe Conant
• Middleton Ford
• Ness Auto
• Smart Toyota / Volvo
• Village Mobil
• Zimbrick Inc

Related Programs

• Automotive Technology-Comprehensive
• Diesel Medium and Heavy Truck Technology
• Diesel Heavy Equipment Technology
• Agricultural Equipment Technology
• Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician