Associate of Science
Welding Technology
Connect to a bright future.
Building American infrastructure means updating old roads, bridges, and railways for safety and efficiency. It also involves expanding renewable energy like wind and solar power, improving water systems for clean water, and making sure everyone has access to high-speed internet. These efforts create jobs, boost the economy, and make America stronger for the future.
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
- Blueprint reading
- Metal cutting
- Industry math
- FCAW
- GTAW
- GMAW
- SMAW
- Fabrication
- Plate welding
- Pipe/Tube welding
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:
- Holtec International
- Forms & Surfaces
- ECI
- EA Fab
- Thermal Transfer
- Astrobotic
- Heat Exchange & Transfer
- Scott Metals
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Boilermakers Union
- Steamfitters Local 449
- Littell Steel
- Sippel Steel
- PA Transformer
- B & B Welding Services
- Fabtech
- CTC
- Calgon Carbon
*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
Qualifications offered:
3rd Quarter
3/8” Structural Plate Qualification in the 3G and 4G positions. (AWS)
6” Schedule 80 Pipe Qualification in the 6G position using E6010/E7018 Uphill. (ASME Standards)
5th Quarter
6” Schedule 80 Pipe Qualification in the 6G position with a downhill progression using E6010. (API Standards)
1/2” Structural Plate Qualification in the 3G and 4G positions FCAW. (AWS)
6th Quarter
6” Schedule 80 Pipe Qualification in the 6G position using GTAW/SMAW. (ASME Standards)
2 ¾” x 5/8″ Tube Qualification in the 6G position using GTAW/SMAW. (ASME Standards)
2” Schedule 160 Pipe Qualification in the 6G position using GTAW (ASME Standards)
What's New(s)
Stories about the interesting events and people in our college community.
What's New(s)Welding Graduate Receives “40 Under 40” Award
Sean Myers, 2016 PTC Welding graduate, was presented with the “40 Under 40” award recognizing him for his outstanding contributions to the inland marine transportation industry.