Program Description
This program is designed for students wanting to complete a two-year AAS Degree in Welding Technology and enter the workforce. Students explore metal cutting processes, blueprint reading, and many welding techniques. These welding techniques include shielded metal arc, gas tungsten arc, and gas metal arc. Graduates from this program exit with quality welding skills and the teamwork and communication skills to match. This degree prepares students for entry-level careers in welding, fabrication, and manufacturing. An AAS degree in Welding shows employers you are job-ready with quality welding skills, knowledge of job safety, teamwork, and communication skills.
Learn more about this program.
What You Will Learn
Upon completion of the program you will be able to:
1. Follow general welding shop safety rules and protocol utilizing critical thinking skills
2. Identify the fundamental theory and principals of an oxy-fuel system, apply and demonstrate this theory in various welding and cutting applications
3. Identify the fundamental theory and principals of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), apply and demonstrate this theory in various SMAW applications
4. Identify the fundamental theory and principals of Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), apply and demonstrate this theory in various GMAW applications
5. Identify the fundamental theory and principals of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), apply and demonstrate this theory in various GTAW applications
6. Identify the fundamental theory and principals of Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW), apply and demonstrate this theory in various FCAW applications
7. Identify basic welding blueprint symbols, visualize and interpret 3D and 2D drawings that support a manufacturing and welding environment utilizing quantitative reasoning skills
8. Identify general welding shop fabrication practices, maintain and operate general fabrication equipment and machinery
9. Employ advanced communication skills and techniques in a welding and manufacturing environment, as well as utilizing information and technology literacy
10. Employ current industry standards in welding processes, demonstrating professionalism regarding appropriate work-ethic traits through personal conduct and effective teamwork
My Academic Plan: Full-Time
Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree in 4 semesters (2 years). For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
| WEL 1006 | Blueprint Reading for Welders & Fitters | 4 |
| WEL 2024 | Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II | 4 |
| WEL 1010 | Advanced Shielded Metal Arc I | 4 |
| PHY 1105 or Higher | Conceptual Physics w/Lab (PHY 1105) or Higher | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Fourth Semester
| General Education | Personal Finance (BUS 1016), Intro to PC Applications (CIS 1018), Any (ART), Any World Language Course (1001 or higher), or Any GT Pathways Course | 3 |
| Welding Elective | Welding AAS Degree Electives* | 4 |
| COM 1150 or COM 1250 or MTE 1110 | Public Speaking (COM 1150) or Interpersonal Communication (COM 1250) or Applied Communication & Teamwork in Industry (MTE 1110) | 3 |
| Welding Elective | Welding AAS Degree Electives* | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Semester Note: Upon completion of WEL 1000, WEL 1001, WEL 1003, WEL 1010, WEL 2001, WEL 1024, WEL 1004, WEL 2003, and WEL 2024, you should apply for the Comprehensive Welding Certificate.
Upon completion of WEL 1000, WEL 1001, WEL 1003, WEL 2001, WEL 1024, WEL 1004, WEL 1006, WEL 2050, and WEL 2051, you should apply for the Metal Fabrication Certificate.
My Academic Plan: Part-Time
Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree within 8 semesters (3 years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
Fall Semester 1
| WEL 1000 | Safety for Welders | 1 |
| WEL 1003 | Basic Shielded Metal Arc I | 4 |
| WEL 1004 | Basic Shielded Metal Arc II | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Spring Semester 2
Summer Semester 3
Fall Semester 4
| General Education | Personal Finance (BUS 1016), Intro to PC Applications (CIS 1018), Any (ART), Any World Language Course (1001 or higher), or Any GT Pathways Course | 3 |
| WEL 1006 | Blueprint Reading for Welders & Fitters | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 7 |
Spring Semester 5
| WEL 2001 | Gas Metal Arc Welding I | 4 |
| WEL 2003 | Flux Cored Arc Welding I | 4 |
| Elective | Welding AAS Degree Electives* | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Summer Semester 6
| COM 1150 or COM 1250 or MTE 1110 | Public Speaking (COM 1150) or Interpersonal Communication (COM 1250) or Applied Communication & Teamwork in Industry (MTE 1110) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Fall Semester 7
| WEL 1024 | Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I | 4 |
| WEL 2024 | Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II | 4 |
| Elective | Welding AAS Degree Electives* | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Semester Note: Upon completion of WEL 1000, WEL 1024, and WEL 2024, you should apply for the Gas Tungsten ARC (TIG) Welding Certificate.
Upon completion of WEL 1000, WEL 1001, WEL 1003, WEL 1010, WEL 2001, WEL 1024, WEL 1004, WEL 2003, and WEL 2024, you should apply for the Comprehensive Welding Certificate.
If you take more credits in Math or Science than are listed, it will reduce the 7 credits of Welding electives needed to complete this AAS degree.
Spring Semester 8
Semester Note: Upon completion of WEL 1000, WEL 1001, WEL 1003, WEL 2001, WEL 1024, WEL 1004, WEL 1006, WEL 2050, and WEL 2051, you should apply for the Metal Fabrication Certificate.
If you take more credits in Math or Science than are listed, it will reduce the 7 credits of Welding electives needed to complete this AAS degree.