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HEATING, VENTILATION &

AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC)

hvac certificate, hvac degree, hvac, HVAC, heating and air conditioning

Are you interested in a career that never waivers in its demand? Then a career in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) is the perfect fit for you! This high-demand industry is always in need of skilled laborers who are knowledgeable in installing, maintaining, and repairing heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration units. 

Our HVAC degree program can be completed on our Gainesville or Champions Circle (Ft. Worth) campuses. NCTC is recognized as an HVAC training site by the Texas Department of License and Regulation (TDLR), so you are guaranteed to learn skills in-depth with the most advanced equipment and facilities possible. Students will leave our program with the foundational knowledge of system setup and installation, electrical systems, heat pump operation and theory, specialty tools, and more.

Career Outlook:

  • HVAC Installer: Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

  • Gas Compressor Operator: Also known as a Compression Station Operator or Plant Operator, these professionals operate steam, gas, electric motor, or internal combustion-engine driven compressors. They have a deep understanding of gasses such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas.

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HVAC Program details

Through the completion of the HVAC program, you will earn an Occupational Skills Award (OSA) and a Level 1 HVAC Certificate, on your way to an AAS HVAC Degree at NCTC. In addition, the Level 1 HVAC Certificate prepares students to test for and obtain an EPA 608 certification, which enables you to transport, recover, and dispose of all refrigerants. 

As a bonus, the HVAC program can be completed with a combination of online, hybrid, and in-person classes, making it even more convenient to fit into your life and schedule.

Basic Level 1 Certificate

 This certificate can be completed with a combination of online, hybrid, and in-person classes. The program is designed to be completed in one semester. Upon completion of the Level 1 Workforce Certificate, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate improved communication skills.

  • Demonstrate the application and use of common hand tools of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning trade.

  • Have a basic understanding of HVAC systems.

  • Prepared to complete the EPA 608 Exam.

Courses and credit hours (#) required to earn the HVAC Basic Certificate.

First Semester

HART 1307 REFRIGERATION PRINCIPLES — (3)

HART 1301 BASIC ELECTRICITY FOR HVAC — (3)

HART 1356 EPA RECOVERY CERTIFICATION PREPARATION — (3)

HART 1341 RESIDENTIAL AIR CONDITIONING — (3)

TECM 1301 INDUSTRIAL MATHEMATICS — (3)

Total credit hours for this semester — (15)

Total Credit Hours — (15)

Capstone Requirement: Students completing the certificate must pass a comprehensive program exam and lab with a score of 70% or higher to satisfy the Capstone requirement.  The exam and lab are part of HART 1341.

Level 1 Certificate

This certificate can be completed with a combination of online, hybrid, and in-person classes. The program is designed to be completed in one year. Upon completion of the Level 1 Workforce Certificate, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate improved communication skills.

  • Demonstrate the application and use of common hand tools of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning trade.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic HVAC systems.

  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of HVAC electrical systems

  • Prepared to complete the EPA 608 exam.

  • Demonstrate basic skills for the installation, setup, and startup of a system.

  • Basic understanding of Heat Pump operation and theory.

Courses and credit hours (#) required to earn the HVAC Level 1 Certificate.

First Semester

HART 1307 REFRIGERATION PRINCIPLES — (3)

HART 1301 BASIC ELECTRICITY FOR HVAC — (3)

HART 1356 EPA RECOVERY CERTIFICATION PREPARATION — (3)

HART 1341 RESIDENTIAL AIR CONDITIONING — (3)

TECM 1301 INDUSTRIAL MATHEMATICS — (3)

Total credit hours for this semester — (15)

Second Semester

HART 2345 RESIDENTIAL AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS DESIGN — (3)

HART 2338 AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION & SETUP — (3)

HART 2342 COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION — (3)

HART 2349 HEAT PUMPS — (3)

HART 2301 AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION CODES — (3)

Total credit hours for this semester — (15)

Total Credit Hours — (30)

Capstone Requirement: Students completing the certificate must pass a comprehensive program exam with a score of 70% or higher to satisfy the requirement. The Capstone exam is part of HART 2349.

HVAC AAS

The AAS can be completed with a combination of online, hybrid, and in-person classes. The program is designed to be completed in two years. Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate improved communication skills.

  • Demonstrate the proper setup and the use of basic procedures related to the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning field.

  • Basic skills for installation, setup, and startup of a system.

  • Heat pump basic operation and theory.

  • Demonstrate the application of and the ability to properly use specialty tools used in the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning field.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of a basic HVAC systems.

  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of HVAC electrical systems.

  • Prepared to complete the EPA 608 exam.

Courses and credit hours (#) required to earn the HVAC AAS Degree.

First Semester

HART 1307 REFRIGERATION PRINCIPLES — (3)

HART 1301 BASIC ELECTRICITY FOR HVAC — (3)

HART 1356 EPA RECOVERY CERTIFICATION PREPARATION — (3)

HART 1341 RESIDENTIAL AIR CONDITIONING — (3)

TECM 1301 INDUSTRIAL MATHEMATICS — (3)

Total credit hours for this semester — (15)

Second Semester

HART 2345 RESIDENTIAL AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS DESIGN — (3)

HART 2338 AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION & SETUP — (3)

HART 2342 COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION — (3)

HART 2349 HEAT PUMPS — (3)

HART 2301 AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION CODES — (3)

Total credit hours for this semester — (15)

Third Semester

OSHT 1320 ENERGY INDUSTRIAL SAFETY — (3)

HART 2341 COMMERCIAL AIR CONDITIONING — (3)

ELPT 2305 MOTORS AND TRANSFORMERS — (3)

ENGL 2311 BUSINESS & TECHNICAL WRITING — (3)

GOVT 2306 TEXAS GOVERNMENT — (3)

Total credit hours for this semester — (15)

Fourth Semester

HART 2334 ADVANCED AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS — (3)

MATH 1332 CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS — (3)

SPCH 1311 INTRODUCTION TO SPEECH COMMUNICATION — (3)

ARTS 1301 ART APPRECIATION — (3)

HART 2380 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION - HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGY — (3)

Total credit hours for this semester — (15)

Total Credit Hours — (60)

Capstone Requirement: HART 2380 Cooperative Education - is the Capstone requirement and may not be substituted. It should be taken the last semester before graduation. As part of HART 2380 the student will be required to work in a related field and accumulate 240 work hours. Additionally, there will be a final exam and lab that must be completed.

Don’t Wait!

Start on your journey to a solid career in HVAC today. Contact our team of Advisors to begin your TRUE Grant application and enrollment, and get started as soon as next semester!

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Victor Drayton - Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning