Welding Technology - A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
Get a Degree or Certificate in our New Welding Program
The Welding Technician profession is woven into a multitude of businesses which require these skilled professionals to work in a variety of industries including energy, construction, and manufacturing.
This program provides over 1500 contact hours of welding theory and hands on training and is tailored to meet industry standards. It will provide students with a well-rounded set of welding skills that will help most enter the workforce in entry level positions. Students have the opportunity to earn National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) credentials, an AWS ASME IX 6G certification (Industry standard test required for employment and certification), while earning a Level 1 Certificate, Level 2 Certificate and AAS degree. Students learn to weld in both an indoor and outdoor laboratory environment.
Career Opportunities
The nation’s aging infrastructure will require the expertise of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers to help rebuild bridges, highways, and buildings. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) reported Employment of Welders is projected to grow 3 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers was $42,490 in 2019.
According to Texas Wages and Employment Projections for the Gulf Coast, including Brazoria County, the projected employment is 64155 with 7183 average openings. This includes hourly wages of $24.09 and annual wages of $50,100. Labor Market & Career Information (LMCI) reports the salary for the Houston region is $50,100 annually.
For more information on career opportunities, please visit Career Coach where you can explore the local job market, take a career assessment, and build a resumé.
What Will I Study?
Courses in the Welding Technology Program will teach you how to:
- Demonstrate proper safety practices while working hand tools, power tools, welding, and cutting equipment.
- Produce Fillet welds in the 1F, 2F, 3F, and 4F positions using multiple processes.
- Produce Groove welds in the 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G positions on plate and pipe using multiple processes.
- Interpret welding symbols and Isometric drawings.
- Demonstrate the work ethic, cross cultural competencies, and professional attitude that is required to work as a welder in the industry.
- Construct a comprehensive Welding Project.
Contact Us
Schedule a meeting or a tour of the welding shop.
Curriculum Guide - Welding Technology, A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
First Year
First Semester
- WLDG 1323 - Welding Safety, Tools, and Equipment 3 Course Credits
- WLDG 1200 - Introduction to Welding 2 Course Credits
- WLDG 1428 - Intro Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) 4 Course Credits
- WLDG 1313 - Intro to Blueprint Reading for Welders 3 Course Credits
- MATH 1332 - Quantitative Reasoning 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 15
Second Semester
- WLDG 1457 - Inter Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) 4 Course Credits
- WLDG 1307 - Intro to Welding Using Multiple Proc 3 Course Credits
- WLDG 1434 - Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW) 4 Course Credits
- ENGL 1301 - Composition I 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 14
Third Semester
- WLDG 1430 - Intro to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) 4 Course Credits
- SPCH Component Area 090: Group 1 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 7
Second Year
First Semester
- WLDG 1435 - Introduction to Pipe Welding 4 Course Credits
- WLDG 1353 - Intermediate Layout and Fabrication 3 Course Credits
- WLDG 2413 - Intermed Welding Using Multiple Process 4 Course Credits
- Social & Behavioral Sciences Core Curriculum 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 14
Second Semester
- WLDG 2406 - Intermediate Pipe Welding 4 Course Credits
- WLDG 2380 - Co-Educ - Welding Technology / Welder 3 Course Credits * or
- WLDG 2371 - Welding Final Project 3 Course Credits *
- Creative Arts Core Curriculum 3 Course Credits +or
- Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Curriculum 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 10
Total Credits Required for Welding Technology, A.A.S.: 60
+ Denotes core requirement. Speak with Department Chair or Pathways Advisor for proper course selection.
* Capstone Course
First Semester
- WLDG 1323 - Welding Safety, Tools, and Equipment 3 Course Credits
- WLDG 1200 - Introduction to Welding 2 Course Credits
- WLDG 1428 - Intro Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) 4 Course Credits
- WLDG 1313 - Intro to Blueprint Reading for Welders 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester
- WLDG 1457 - Inter Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) 4 Course Credits
- WLDG 1307 - Intro to Welding Using Multiple Proc 3 Course Credits
- WLDG 1434 - Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW) 4 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 11
Total Credits Required for Welding Certificate: 23
First Year
First Semester
- WLDG 1323 - Welding Safety, Tools, and Equipment 3 Course Credits
- WLDG 1200 - Introduction to Welding 2 Course Credits
- WLDG 1428 - Intro Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) 4 Course Credits
- WLDG 1313 - Intro to Blueprint Reading for Welders 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester
- WLDG 1457 - Inter Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) 4 Course Credits
- WLDG 1307 - Intro to Welding Using Multiple Proc 3 Course Credits
- WLDG 1434 - Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW) 4 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 11
Third Semester
- WLDG 1430 - Intro to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) 4 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 4
Second Year
First Semester
- WLDG 1435 - Introduction to Pipe Welding 4 Course Credits
- WLDG 1353 - Intermediate Layout and Fabrication 3 Course Credits
- WLDG 2413 - Intermed Welding Using Multiple Process 4 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 11
Second Semester
- WLDG 2406 - Intermediate Pipe Welding 4 Course Credits
- WLDG 2380 - Co-Educ - Welding Technology / Welder 3 Course Credits * or
- WLDG 2371 - Welding Final Project 3 Course Credits *
Semester Credits: 7
Total Credits Required for Welding Certificate: 45
* Capstone Course
Approximate yearly costs for the Level I Certificate program are $3451 for in-district students and $3832 for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees.
Additional fees for books and supplies may vary according the the degree/certificate plan.
For more information on education costs, payment options, payment plans, deadlines and more, visit our Tuition and Fees section.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. For more information, visit our Financial Aid section.
*Alvin Community College may change tuition rates and other fees without notice or when so directed by the Board of Regents.
COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS
Welding Technology is part of our Manufacturing, Construction, and Logistics Pathway. Click the box below to see other programs that may interest you.