Welding Technology Program

Welding is becoming an increasingly high-tech skill in which welders are being trained to operate robots and other automated systems that use powerful lasers, electron beams and explosives to bond metal. With demand for skilled welders rising and the technology used in welding becoming more advanced, especially where automation and robotics are concerned, students have a unique opportunity to learn a career that can be shaped around their interests.

The Welding Technology program is designed for students interested in learning welding or upgrading their skills. Earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in welding or receive a certificate in welding and AWS Sense 1.

Students will learn shield metal arc (stick), gas tungsten (TIG), oxyacetylene (gas), gas metal arc (MIG) and plasma welding/cutting processes, using both manual and semi-automatic applications. Welding courses in welding theory and blueprint reading are also available. The Welding program is an individualized, competency-based program that benefits both novice and advanced welders.

Welding supplies are required. The following gear list outlines supplies in order to begin Welding 1100.

Facilities for the Welding Technology program are housed in the Technical Education Center (TEC). The program offers instruction during day, evening and Saturday classes.

Determine Your Path

The U.S. Department of Labor lists more than 75 occupational titles, including mechanics, machinists, plumbers, construction and maintenance workers, as well as sculptors and other artisans, that entail some form of welding-related activities.

Whether you are preparing for a career in welding or updating your skills, College of DuPage has the right program for you. COD offers:

Dedicated instructors with years of practical industry experience, certification, and licensing.
Instruction in top-notch facilities, on cutting-edge equipment.
Flexible schedules with day, evening, and weekend classes.
Hands-on experience as well as classroom-based studies.
Affordable programs that get you on the fast track to success without breaking the bank.
Partnerships with industry professionals and organizations ensure that the curricula and equipment are on track with the skills required in the field and sought after by employers.

AWS Sense 1, Certificate

Theory and practice in the preparation and welding of steel joints in various positions. Safety, electrode selection, inspection, and testing using shielded metal, gas tungsten, flux core, and gas metal arc welding. Skills are developed in producing different position butt and fillet welds. American Welding Society (AWS) testing is emphasized. The AWS Sense 1 certificate requires 17 credits in the courses listed below.

Welding Technology, A.A.S.

The Welding Technology program will provide students with the theory and practice in entry-level welding skills. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be prepared for the American Welding Society (AWS) examinations.

Welding, Certificate

The Welding Certificate provides a competency-based method of instruction in the four most common methods of metal joining: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Oxy-Fuel Welding (OFW), and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). American Welding Society testing standards are used.

Get Started Today

The first step to getting started in accounting is to apply for admission.

Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree or certificate that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.

Welding Program graduates will:

Identify safe welding practices and procedures conforming to American Welding Society (AWS) Z 49 standards.
Demonstrate practical knowledge of making welds with all types of mild steel electrodes, arc air gouging and the welding of mild steel in all positions in a safe manner.
Exhibit a basic understanding of metallurgy required of a competent welder.
Interpret both basic and advanced welding fabrications blueprints including: welding symbols, weld testing symbols, structural steel shapes, and welding specifications.
Document advanced knowledge and techniques for the safe and successful operation of gas tungsten welding, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and oxy fuel gas welding.
Demonstrate knowledge of code practices and procedures in American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1.
Perform an American Welding Society (AWS) 1G with a backing strip test or 3G with an open root.

College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree in welding. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.

For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.

Articulation Agreements

College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or the Counseling and Advising office to stay on track.

Transfer Guides

Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.