Agricultural Equipment Technology

Scholarships

• Madison College Scholarships
  • Student Bulletin Listing
     
• John Deere Scholarships
  • First year students: Five $500 scholarships
  • Second year students: Five $500 scholarships
     
• Midwest Equipment Dealers Association
  • First and Second year students: Two $1,000 scholarships and four $750 scholarships
     
• Local Cenex Coop A Scholarship Programs
• Foremost Farms USA Scholarship
• National FFA College Scholarships
• Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce Program
• Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
• Wisconsin Agri-Service Association Inc.

For more information about scholarships, contact rgrayjr[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (Bob Gray) at (608) 246-6834 or Pat Johnson at (608) 246-6102.

Go to http://www.jdpowerup.com for more information about Madison College and John Deere's partnership.

John Deere Partnership

Madison College and John Deere are in a partnership to teach students technical theory and skills needed to work on John Deere equipment under realistic dealership conditions.

Over 1650 dealerships offer employment opportunities. Madison College graduates in the Agriculture Equipment Technology program are highly sought after by dealerships who are seeking technicians. Graduates can expect a salary range of $25,000 - $50,000 depending on the dealership.

John Deere website

Dealership Work Experiences May Include

• Proper machine set-up
• Engine repair and rebuild
• Powertrain repair and rebuild
• Hydraulic diagnostics and repair
• Electrical starting, charging, control system diagnostics, and repair
• Air conditioning diagnostics and repair
• Tractor performance - ballasting, fuel system, diagnostics, and repair

The Agriculture Equipment Technology Curriculum

• Hydraulics
• Engines
• Powertrains
• Fuel Systems
• Tillage
• Planting
• Harvesting
• Operation and adjustment

Student Responsibilities

• Obtain a dealership partner - you should treat this like a job interview
• Complete all required course and laboratory work
• Maintain required GPA
• Provide needed tools
• Be a responsible, productive employee during the training internship

The dealership training portion of the Agriculture Equipment Technology program provides real-life hands-on experience. There is no better learning environment than on-the-job.

The dealership training coordinators ensure that you receive correct training experiences, while the college program coordinators monitor your progress and rate your performance.

For more information about the Agriculture Equipment Technology program contact rgrayjr[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (Bob Gray) at (608)246-6834.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I start the program? 

You can only apply to start the Agricultural Equipment program in the fall semester.

When can I apply, and how can I apply?

The Agriculture Equipment Technology program accepts students for the fall semester only. You may apply as early as September 1 for the following fall. Click here to apply.

What are the admissions requirements? 

Students must have four things in place before they can be admitted into the program:

1. Schedule an appointment with Bob Gray, the lead instructor. He can be reached at 246-6834 or rgrayjr[at] matcmadison [dot] edu
2. You must have a John Deere employer sponsor. Bob Gray, the lead instructor, can assist you if you don’t have a sponsor, but you will need to complete an interview process with the dealer.
3. You must take the COMPASS test, including mechanical reasoning. If they are not high enough, you may need to take developmental coursework in English and math before you can be admitted into the program.
4. You must apply online

Does this program have a waitlist?

No, this program typically does not have a waitlist.

What is the cost of tuition? 

Go to Madison College’s tuition webpage to see approximate cost per semester for every program.

How long is the program and what kind of diploma/degree will I receive? 

The program will take two years to complete if you take all classes each semester in sequence. It is an associate degree program.

What is a typical schedule? 

Typically, students will be in class for half of the semester, and the other half of the semester they will be working at the site of their sponsor.

Can I start working towards graduation requirements before I am accepted into the program? 

Yes. You may take general studies classes before you enter into the program. To find these classes, look at the Agriculture Equipment Technology curriculum, which lists all required classes. General studies courses are identified by an 800 course number (for example, Intro to College Math is 10-804-106).

Can I just take one or two of the Agricultural Equipment Technology classes without applying to the program? 

No. Because of the special employer sponsorship requirements, a student must be admitted into the program to take Agriculture Equipment Technology program courses.