Program Details
Program Details
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Career Studies Certificate
Mountain Empire Community College
Program Details
Career Studies Certificate in Welding Operator I
Career Studies CertificateCareer Studies Certificate in Welding Operator I
Mountain Empire Community College
The Welding Operator I career studies certificate is designed to prepare students for employment as apprentice welders immediately upon completion of the curriculum. Technical courses and shop experience comprise the program..
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 and GTAW.
4. Read and interpret basic blueprints and welding symbols to fabricate components.
Program Overview & Guidance

Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | The Welding Operator I career studies certificate is designed to prepare students for employment as apprentice welders immediately upon completion of the curriculum. Technical courses and shop experience comprise the program. |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Articulation course credits may be earned by the validation of welding skills learned in a vocational school or on-the-job experience. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Articulation course credits may be earned by the validation of welding skills learned in a vocational school or on-the-job experience. |
Doing More With Your Degree | The Career Studies Certificate in Welding Operator I will prepare students for the occupational goal of an entry level welder. |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.
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.
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.
The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio
and the requirements for the selected program.
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.
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.
Requirements
Required Credits
Career Studies Certificate in Welding Operator I
16
Career Studies Certificate in Welding Operator I
16
Course Requirements for 221-995-01
16
Core Requirements for 221-995-01
16
WEL 110
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
WEL 123
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
BLD 110
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
WEL 115
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
WEL 100
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Residency
16
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 12 credits may be applied to this program.
Plan GPA for 221-995-01
16
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
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... |
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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

This section displays degrees most closely related to this program
and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the
next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to
visit that program page.
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
