Welding Program

Division of Technical Studies

Program Mission

The mission of the Welding Program is to provide instruction and related hands-on experience in the world of cutting and welding technology.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the Welding Program will be able to:

  • Integrate safety practices related to specific hazards/environment and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure a safe and secure workspace. 
  • Structure a productive welding workspace through proper machine set-up, calibration, and material application. 
  • Produce quality welds according to specifications and position using the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) processes.
  • Produce quality cuts according to specifications using Oxyfuel Cutting (OFC) and Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC) processes.
  • Interpret technical information used on welding drawings and blueprints.

Student achievement related to Program Learning Outcomes is assessed systematically and results are made available on the Program Review webpage

Campuses/Sites Offered

  • Florida Parishes Campus (Greensburg)
  • Hammond Area Campus (Hammond)
  • Lacombe Campus (Lacombe)
  • Livingston Campus (Walker)
  • Rayburn Correctional Center (Angie)
  • Sullivan Campus (Bogalusa)

Technical Diploma in Welding

The following criteria must be satisfied towards completion of the Technical Diploma:

Required Courses33
Concentration Area (choose one of four below)12
SMAW Process Core
FCAW Process Core
GTAW Process Core
GMAW Process Core
Total Hours45

Required Courses:

WELD 1110Occupational Orient and Safety3
WELD 1120Blueprint, Metal & Weld Sym3
WELD 1130Welding Inspection & Testing2
WELD 1210Oxyfuel Systems2
WELD 1310Cutting Processes-CAC/PAC2
WELD 1410SMAW - BASIC Beads2
WELD 1411SMAW - Fillet Weld3
WELD 1412SMAW V Grove BU/Gouge3
WELD 1420SMAW - V - Groove Open4
WELD 2110FCAW - Basic Fillet Welds3
WELD 2210GTAW - Basic Multi-Joint3
WELD 2310GMAW - Basic Fillet Weld3
Total Hours33

Concentration Area:

Choose one of the four Concentration Areas listed below towards completion of Technical Diploma.

SMAW Process Concentration:

WELD 1510SMAW - PIPE 2G4
WELD 1511SMAW--Pipe 5G4
WELD 1512SMAW--Pipe 6G4
Total Hours12

FCAW Process Concentration:

WELD 2112FCAW Pipe 5G4
WELD 2113FCAW Pipe 2G4
WELD 2114FCAW Pipe 6G4
Total Hours12

GTAW Process Concentration:

WELD 2220GTAW - PIPE 5G4
WELD 2221GTAW - PIPE 2G4
WELD 2222GTAW - PIPE 6G4
Total Hours12

GMAW Process Concentration:

WELD 2320GMAW--Pipe 2G4
WELD 2321GMAW--Pipe 5G4
WELD 2322GMAW--6G4
Total Hours12

Additional Exit Points:

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Technical Studies

The highest exit point in the Welding program is the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Technical Studies. To qualify, students must complete the General Education Core and the Technical Diploma (TD) in Welding. Requirements for exit points and completion are outlined below.

General Education Core15
Technical Diploma in Welding45
Total Hours60

Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS) in Arc Welder GTAW:

WELD 1110Occupational Orient and Safety3
WELD 1210Oxyfuel Systems2
WELD 1310Cutting Processes-CAC/PAC2
WELD 2210GTAW - Basic Multi-Joint3
Welding Electives (GMAW Courses Only)12
Total Hours22

Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS) in Arc Welder GMAW:

WELD 1110Occupational Orient and Safety3
WELD 1210Oxyfuel Systems2
WELD 1310Cutting Processes-CAC/PAC2
WELD 2310GMAW - Basic Fillet Weld3
Welding Electives (GMAW Courses Only)12
Total Hours22

Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS) in Arc Welder FCAW:

WELD 1110Occupational Orient and Safety3
WELD 1210Oxyfuel Systems2
WELD 1310Cutting Processes-CAC/PAC2
WELD 2110FCAW - Basic Fillet Welds3
Welding Electives (FCAW Courses Only)12
Total Hours22

Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS) in Arc Welder SMAW:

WELD 1110Occupational Orient and Safety3
WELD 1210Oxyfuel Systems2
WELD 1310Cutting Processes-CAC/PAC2
WELD 1410SMAW - BASIC Beads2
WELD 1420SMAW - V - Groove Open4
Welding Electives (SMAW Courses Only)12
Total Hours25

Certificate and Technical Certificate (CTC) in Welder Fundamentals:

WELD 1410SMAW - BASIC Beads2
WELD 2110FCAW - Basic Fillet Welds3
WELD 2310GMAW - Basic Fillet Weld3
Total Hours8

Certificate and Technical Certificate (CTC) in Welder Helper:

WELD 1110Occupational Orient and Safety3
WELD 1210Oxyfuel Systems2
WELD 1310Cutting Processes-CAC/PAC2
Total Hours7

Special Comments:

  • Anticipated program length for the completion of the highest level exit point is 2 years. 

  • Program requirements must be completed with a programmatic grade point average of 2.0 or higher and grade of "C" or higher in all applicable coursework.

Career Information


Career Opportunities

To learn more about careers related to the Welding program, including salary range and job demand, click the link below.

► Click here for related Career Opportunity Information

Career Services Resources

Need help guiding your career planning efforts? Review the resources below from the NTCC Career Services Office: