Go to work in many industries as a specialist in one of the most highly paid skilled trades.
What is Welding Technology?
If you admire the creativity of architecture and want to be part of creating something lasting, a welding career might be the perfect fit for you. Somerset Community College (SCC) offers a Welding program that provides students with the skills and experience needed to start a successful career. With job opportunities for welders expected to grow in the coming years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, now is a great time to begin this exciting career path.
SCC’s Welding program is a two-year course of study that trains students in various welding techniques, including shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding. Throughout the program, students can earn up to nine certificates, a diploma, and an Associate in Applied Science degree. Welders use heat to join pieces of metal together, creating strong and permanent bonds. These skills are used in a variety of industries, such as shipbuilding, construction, automotive manufacturing, and other fields that rely on skilled welders.
Getting Started
What are my degree, diploma, and certificate options?
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 120 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding | 2 |
| WLD 121 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 130 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding | 2 |
| WLD 131 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 140 - Gas Metal Arc Welding | 2 |
| WLD 141 - Gas Metal Arc Welding Fillet Lab | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 123 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding Groove Lab | 3 |
| WLD 133 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Groove Lab | 3 |
| WLD 143 - Gas Metal Arc Welding Groove Lab | 3 |
| ENG 101 - English 101 | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 100 - Oxy-Fuel Systems OR WLD 110 - Cutting Processes | 2 |
| WLD 101 - Oxy-Fuel Systems Lab OR WLD 111 - Cutting Processes Lab | 3 |
| Approved Electives | 2-3 |
| Digital Literacy | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Total | 13-14 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 170 - Blueprint Reading for Welding | 2 |
| WLD 171 - Blueprint Reading for Welding Lab | 3 |
| WLD 220 - Welding Certification | 2 |
| WLD 221 - Welding Certification Lab | 3 |
| WLD 298 - Welding Practicum OR WLD 299 - Welding Co-op | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
Total credit hours: 53-54
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 100 - Oxy-Fuel Systems | 2 |
| WLD 101 - Oxy-Fuel Systems Lab | 2 |
| Total | 4 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 110 - Cutting Processes | 2 |
| WLD 111 - Cutting Processes Lab | 3 |
| Total | 5 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 120 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) AND | 2 |
| WLD 121 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Fillet Lab OR | 3 |
| WLD 130 - Gas Tungsten ARC Welding (GTAW) AND | (2) |
| WLD 131 - Gas Tungsten ARC Welding (GTAW) Fillet Lab OR | (3) |
| WLD 140 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) AND | (2) |
| WLD 141 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Fillet Lab | (3) |
| Total | 5 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 120 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) AND | 2 |
| WLD 121 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding Fillet Lab OR | 3 |
| WLD 130 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) AND | (2) |
| WLD 131 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Fillet Lab OR | (3) |
| WLD 140 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) AND | (2) |
| WLD 141 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Fillet Lab | (3) |
| Total | 5 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 170 - Blueprint Reading for Welding | 2 |
| WLD 171 - Blueprint Reading for Welding Lab | 3 |
| Total | 5 |
Total credit hours for certificate: 10
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 140 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) | 2 |
| WLD 141 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 143 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Groove Lab | 3 |
| WLD 170 - Blueprint Reading for Welding | 2 |
| WLD 171 - Blueprint Reading for Welding Lab | 3 |
| WLD 251 - Welding Automation Lab | 1-6 |
| Total | 14-19 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 100 - Oxy-Fuel Systems And | 2 |
| WLD 101 - Oxy-Fuel Systems Lab Or | 2 |
| WLD 110 - Cutting Processes And | (2) |
| WLD 111 - Cutting Processes Lab | (3) |
| WLD 140 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) | 2 |
| WLD 141 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 143 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Groove Lab | 3 |
| WLD 170 - Blueprint Reading for Welding | 2 |
| WLD 171 - Blueprint Reading for Welding Lab | 3 |
| Total | 15-18 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 100 -Oxy-Fuel Systems And | 2 |
| WLD 101 - Oxy-Fuel Systems Lab Or | 2 |
| WLD 110 - Cutting Processes And | (2) |
| WLD 111 - Cutting Processes Lab | (3) |
| WLD 130 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) | 2 |
| WLD 131 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 133 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Groove Lab | 3 |
| WLD 170 - Blueprint Reading for Welding | 2 |
| WLD 171 - Blueprint Reading for Welding Lab | 3 |
| Total | 17-18 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 100 - Oxy-Fuel Systems And | 2 |
| WLD 101 - Oxy-Fuel Systems Lab Or | 2 |
| WLD 110 - Cutting Processes And | (2) |
| WLD 111 - Cutting Processes Lab | (3) |
| WLD 120 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) | 2 |
| WLD 121 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 123 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Groove with Backing Lab Or | 3 |
| WLD 225 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Open Groove Lab | (3) |
| WLD 170 - Blueprint Reading for Welding | 2 |
| WLD 171 - Blueprint Reading for Welding Lab | 3 |
| Total | 17-18 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 100 - Oxy-Fuel Systems And | 2 |
| WLD 101 - Oxy-Fuel Systems Lab OR | 2 |
| WLD 110 - Cutting Processes And | (2) |
| WLD 111 - Cutting Processes Lab | (3) |
| WLD 120 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) | 2 |
| WLD 121 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 130 -Gas Tungsten ARC Welding (GTAW) | 2 |
| WLD 131 - Gas Tungsten ARC Welding (GTAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 140 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) | 2 |
| WLD 141 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| Total | 19-20 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 100 - Oxy-Fuel Systems And | 2 |
| WLD 101 - Oxy-Fuel Systems Lab OR | 2 |
| WLD 110 - Cutting Processes And | (2) |
| WLD 111 - Cutting Processes Lab | (3) |
| WLD 120 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) | 2 |
| WLD 121 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 140 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) | 2 |
| WLD 141 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| Total | 14-15 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 130 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) | 2 |
| WLD 131 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 170 - Blueprint Reading for Welding | 2 |
| WLD 171 - Blueprint Reading for Welding Lab |
3 |
| Total | 10 |
Total credit hours: 24-25
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 100 - Oxy-Fuel Systems And | 2 |
| WLD 101 - Oxy-Fuel Systems Lab OR | 2 |
| WLD 110 - Cutting Processes And | (2) |
| WLD 111 - Cutting Processes Lab | (3) |
| WLD 120 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) | 2 |
| WLD 121 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 140 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) | 2 |
| WLD 141 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 123 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding Groove W/Backing Lab | 3 |
| Total | 17-18 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| WLD 130 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) | 2 |
| WLD 131 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Fillet Lab | 3 |
| WLD 133 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Groove Lab | 3 |
| WLD 143 - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Fillet Groove Lab | 3 |
| WLD 170 - Blueprint Reading for Welding | 2 |
| WLD 171 - Blueprint Reading for Welding Lab | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Total credit hours: 33-34
How Do I Pay For This?
Worry no more. With the lowest tuition in Kentucky, financial aid options, and a helping hand to guide you through the application process, SCC has you covered. SCC will help you reach your goals at a price that won't break the bank.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Additional Information
This program is offered at the Laurel and Somerset Campuses.
Courses in blueprint reading, shop mathematics, and mechanical drawing are also part of the instruction at SCC. Knowledge of computers is gaining importance, especially for welding machine operators, who are becoming responsible for the programming of computer-controlled machines, including robots and CNC cutting systems.
Length of Program
You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in collaboration with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
