Milwaukee Area Technical College offers an associate degree in welding technology. Applicants to the program must have taken algebra as a prerequisite, and courses are available online and during the evening to accommodate students with personal and professional obligations. Required courses in the 68-credit program include welding theory, fabrication graphics, automated welding process, welding practice and manufacturing applications for robots. Graduates of the program are able to weld industrial alloys, operate automated equipment and troubleshoot welding robots. The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredits the school, and tuition was about $30,000 per year, as of 2011.
The welding technology program at Laney College educates students through classroom and laboratory work. Students are required to take courses in arc welding, wire feed welding, engineering drawing for welders and acetylene welding. Courses teach students to operate welding equipment safely and develop welding techniques to use in the field. Students are required to purchase and bring their own personal protective equipment to class. Laney College is accredited by Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, and as of 2011, in-state tuition was about $800, while out-of-state about $5,500 per year.
The Community College of Allegheny College offers a 61-credit associate degree in welding technology. The program is available in both the day and evening to accommodate students, and courses are conducted on the North campus. Students are required to take courses in welding fundamentals, blueprint reading, brazing and welding, welding inspection, pipe welding and technical communications. These courses teach students to utilize safety procedures, operate equipment safely, employ welding inspection processes and identify welding symbols. The college is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education. As of 2011, those who live in district pay about $2,700 for tuition, while in-state students pay $5,200 and out-of-state students pay $7,600 per year.
Kilgore College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in welding technology that takes two years to complete and is 72 credits. The courses teach students about topics in gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, pipe welding and welding metallurgy. Students also must complete general education requirements in grammar and composition, humanities, mathematics and social science. Graduates of the program are prepared to work in manufacturing industries, construction sites and repair shops. The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits the school. Tuition is $1,200 for in-district students, $2,500 for in-state students, and $3,500 for out-of-state students, as of 2011