“What the ... why is it... stupid computer!” So they call the help desk – and you get them back to work. Thanks in advance.
IT-Desktop SuppoIT-Desktop Support Image of Instructor and Students
IT-Desktop Support Technician
Program Number: 311541
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Information Technology
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
29 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$4,842.10

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    The IT-Desktop Support Technician program will prepare you to provide first-level technical support to resolve software, hardware and system problems for PC users. You will develop skills to install, support, and maintain hardware and software, and to ensure that all customer requests and problems are dealt with quickly and effectively. Courses are presented in a hands-on classroom atmosphere. As a student you will be trained in hardware and software installation, configuration, and troubleshooting, basic network concepts, supporting new technologies, repairing workstations and performing upgrades.

    You will gain an understanding of how a help desk functions, and how customer service plays an important role in today’s world of technology. Career opportunities exist in all areas of the country. This program may be used to help prepare for the CompTIA A+ computer troubleshooting certification.

    Program Details

    Students in the IT-Desktop Support Technician program can attend classes full or part time. 

    IT-Desktop Support Technician classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

    • Madison – Truax

    ** note that if starting in Spring term, it may take 3 semesters to complete program. Courses core to the IT-Desktop Support Technician program will only be offered during the daytime for students accepted in the Spring term.

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    Careers

    Madison College IT-Desktop Support Technician graduates are ready for a range of professional positions including:

    • Computer Support Specialist
    • Customer Call Center Specialist
    • End User Support Specialist
    • Help Desk Professional
    • Microcomputer Application Specialist
    • PC Support Technician
    • Software Technician
    • Technical Help Desk Support
    • Technical Specialist

    Resources

  • 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.

    First Semester
    10-150-104
    3 credits
    10-151-102
    1 credit
    10-154-104
    3 credits
    10-154-184
    3 credits
    10-156-105
    1 credit
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-103-133
    1 credit
    10-103-139
    1 credit
    10-154-122
    3 credits
    10-154-171
    3 credits
    10-154-190
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 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 IT-Desktop Support Technician career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the IT-Desktop Support Technician program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

    • Manage information technology hardware
    • Manage software
    • Support computer networks
    • Provide end user support
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates343112
      Number of Surveys Sent343112
      Number of Surveys Returned32611
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment3156
      Percent Available for Employment100.00%93.80%85.70%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market0.00%68.80%71.40%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed3116
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.00%73.30%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation096
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation0.00%81.80%100.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation320
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation100.00%18.20%0.00%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment040
      Percent Seeking Employment0.00%26.70%0.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.73.43.3
      Number of Satisfaction Responses3167
      Very Satisfied (4)272
      Percent Very Satisfied66.70%43.80%28.60%
      Satisfied (3)185
      Percent Satisfied33.30%50.00%71.40%
      Unsatisfied (2)010
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%6.30%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)000
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses32611
      Preparation for Getting a Job274
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job66.70%26.90%36.40%
      Career Change150
      Percent Career Change33.30%19.20%0.00%
      Improvement of Existing Skills021
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills0.00%7.70%9.10%
      Preparation for Further Education0106
      Percent Preparation for Further Education0.00%38.50%54.50%
      Personal Interest020
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%7.70%0.00%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses3116
      Before Enrollment143
      Percent Before Enrollment33.30%36.40%50.00%
      While Attending the College063
      Percent While Attending the College0.00%54.50%50.00%
      After Training at the College210
      Percent After Training at the College66.70%9.10%0.00%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses276
      In College District266
      Percent In College District100.00%85.70%100.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin010
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%14.30%0.00%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count86
      Average Monthly Wage$4,949$3,229
      Average Hourly Wage$28.77$18.77
      Average Work Hours per Week40.941.7
      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
      Em Sang LeCustomer Services
      Network Engineering TechnologiesHelpdeskMiddleton
      Sorge CPAIT DirectorMonona
      Travel Mart IncIT Store SupportWisconsin Dells
      UW Credit UnionDesktop Intern
      UW Credit UnionIT Desktop Support Intern

      * - 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 Technologies and Trades

Madison Truax Campus
Main Building, A2105

1701 Wright Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

tandt@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.6800

Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (phone or email only)