Associate in Science
Welding Technology
Start full-time or part-time.
Connect to a bright future.
Shell is investing billions of dollars in a new ethane cracker plant just up the road in Beaver County that will eventually employ hundreds of workers. But it’s already creating thousands of construction jobs—and they need hundreds of trained workers to weld the plant’s miles of pipes. That’s just one example of the boom in local construction that’s creating opportunities for welders.
In PTC’s associate degree program in Welding Technology, you’ll start with the fundamentals, then move on to advanced pipe welding and plate welding, as well as SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW pipe welding. And you’ll do all that learning in a lab that features 36 welding booths with 24 oxy acetylene stations.
But it’s not just about developing hard skills. On your way to a real-world internship where you’ll hone your craft, you’ll also build the critical thinking, human relations and communications skills you’ll need for a successful career.
Career Skills
- Welding in the downhill and uphill position.
- Welding ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
- High-pressure tube welding.
- MIG, TIG, and Arc welding.
- Flux core welding.
- Pipe welding.
- Plate welding
- Spot welding.
- Blueprint reading
Career Opportunities
Our Welding Technology grads are working in the field in a range of roles including:
- Welder
- Flux core welder
- Apprentice boilermaker
- Apprentice steamfitter
Employers of PTC Graduates*
You won’t be alone in your job search. Our Career Services staff has helped our grads start their careers with employers like:
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Boilermakers Union
- Steamfitters Local 449
- Littell Steel
- Sippel Steel
*Background check and drug screening may be required prior to employment.
Program Courses
The Associate in Science, Welding consists of seven quarters. For course descriptions, visit our catalog.
Quarter 1
- Supplementary Mathematics
- College Mathematics
- Steps to Career Success 1
- Gas Welding Plate & Pipe
- Metal Cutting & Fabrication
- Blueprint Reading & Symbols
Quarter 2
- Personal Finance
- Critical Thinking
- General SMAW Practices (Equipment and Electrode ID)
- General Exotic Metals
Quarter 3
- Principles of Writing
- English Composition 1
- Steps to Career Success 2
- Welding Certification/Prep
- SMAW Pipe Welding
- Advanced Plate Welding
Quarter 4
- English Composition 2
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- AWS Sense MIG & TIG Prep
- Flux Core Inner & Outer Shield
Quarter 5
- Effective Speech
- Ethics
- Career Development
- Advanced Pipe Welding
- Exotic Metals Advanced
Quarter 6
- Human Relations in Organizations
- GMAW Pipe Welding
- GTAW Pipe Welding
- GTAW Tube
Quarter 7
- Internship (360 hours)
Associate Degree Qualifications
You’ll prepare for the American Welding Society (AWS), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and American Petroleum Institute (API) certifications.
Certifications offered:
1st Quarter
3” schedule 40 Pipe Certification in the 6G position. (AWS Standards)
3rd Quarter
3/8” Structural Plate Certifications in the 3G and 4G positions. (AWS)
6” Schedule 80 Pipe Certification in the 6G position using E6010/E7018 Uphill. (AWS Standards)
5th Quarter
6” Schedule 80 Pipe Certification in the 6G position with a downhill progression using E6010. (AWS Standards)
6th Quarter
6” Schedule 80 Pipe Certification in the 6G position using GTAW/SMAW. (AWS Standards)
6” Schedule 80 Pipe Certification in the 6G position using GMAW with a Downhill Progression. (AWS Standards)
2 ¾” Schedule 160 Tube Certification in the 6G position using GTAW/SMAW. (AWS Standards)
Introducing part-time programs for full-time lives.
Earning your associate degree just got easier.
With life comes lots of responsibilities. And if you’re looking to upgrade your education, how do you make it all work? We’re here to help you with an easy-to-manage course load by focusing on one course at a time.
- Enroll as an associate degree or certificate student to opt in to our new bundled courses.
- Classes begin on October 11 and 13. You’ll learn 100% on campus in the evening.
- You can also apply for financial aid, and we offer merit scholarships and need-based grants up to $6,000 if you qualify.
Jump start your degree in Welding. Prepare for the opportunities.
Welders are retiring while employers are seeking new hires for hundreds of unfilled positions. That means more opportunities for you; be prepared to jump on that open position with the right education.
Gas Metal Arc Welding, 3 credits, on campus, 1 night (T)
Students learn the practices and techniques of Gas Metal Arc Welding, and how to weld mild steel and aluminum utilizing fillet and groove welds in all positions. Students are introduced to shielding gases and filler wire associated with GMAW. You’ll also apply the visual inspection process to evaluate welds. Coursework includes equipment inspection, setup, minor repair, and operation. Industry safety standards are reinforced in the shop. This course includes both lab and classroom elements.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, 3 credits, on campus, 1 night (TH)
Students learn the practices and techniques of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, and how to weld mild steel utilizing fillet and groove welds in all positions. You are also introduced to shielding gases and filler wire associated with GTAW, and you’ll apply the visual inspection process to evaluate welds. Coursework includes equipment inspection, setup, minor repair, and operation. Topics include selecting proper tungsten and filler metals. Industry safety standards are reinforced in the shop. This course includes both lab and classroom elements.
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