Program Details
Certificate in Welding
CertificateMountain Empire Community College
The Certificate in Welding is designed to prepare students for employment as apprentice welders immediately upon completion of the curriculum. Technical courses and shop experience comprise the majority of the program. The remaining courses are in related subjects and general education.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
1. Follow industry safety practices.
2. Cut metals using (oxyfuel and plasma arc) cutting processes.
3. Weld in (flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions) using the basic welding processes of SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and GTAW.
4. Apply basic math and measurement.
5. Read and interpret basic blueprints and welding symbols to fabricate components.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | Graduates of the Technical Studies Welding program are trained in the job skills necessary to enter employment as apprentice welders immediately upon completion of the curriculum. Course work includes a strong emphasis in welding technology with related courses in computer applications, quality control, teamwork, and communication. |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes An academic advisor will review your preparation in Mathematics and English with you. You’ll be guided to appropriate preliminary coursework to give you the greatest chance of success in this program. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
An academic advisor will review your preparation in Mathematics and English with you. You’ll be guided to appropriate preliminary coursework to give you the greatest chance of success in this program.
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Up to 15 hours credit may be given for documented previous work experience and certifications. Although the program is designed to educate and train welders entering the industry, the program offers increased skill levels and knowledge for experienced welders as well. Welders seeking a degree or desiring promotion to upper level managerial positions should also take advantage of this excellent opportunity. |
Doing More With Your Degree | Graduates can expect to find employment as welders in a variety of industries including mining, manufacturing and construction. |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities. |
Credit for Prior Learning | VCCS Policy 5.6.5.1 |
Did You Know That... |
|
College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | Mountain Empire Community College’s mission is to provide our region with accessible, quality higher education, workforce training, and community programs to ensure an educated population and globally competitive workforce. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | |
First Year Student Catalog Year | The catalog year is based on the admission term that the student applies for. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies Welding | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
51-4121.00 | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products. | Production Occupations |
51-4122.00 | Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines. | Production Occupations |
Cost To Complete
