Harper College

Advanced Welding Certificate

Spark a path forward to a career in welding

Program facts Manufacturing and Construction icon


  • Credit hours: 32
  • Stackable to degree: Yes
  • Potential job outcomes: Welder

Develop advanced knowledge and skills in welding with this 32-credit-hour certificate program, which emphasizes advanced welding theory along with practical application of the major forms of welding. You’ll learn how to interpret welding blueprints and hone the skills necessary to pass welder qualification tests. Upon completion of the program, you’ll meet the AWS School Excelling through National Skill Standards Education (SENSE) training standards for certification as an AWS Level II Advanced Welder.

Take classes in properties of materials, prints and schematics, basic technical mathematics, welding, advanced blueprint reading, applied welding theory, welding power sources and more. All classes are taught by knowledgeable instructors who are highly skilled in the welding industry.

Credit earned for this program can be applied to the Welding Technology AAS Degree.

Certificate program requirements

This 32 credit-hour certificate program is designed to give students advanced knowledge and skills in welding. The program of study will emphasize advanced welding theory, and practical application of the major forms of welding. Students will learn to interpret welding blueprints and develop the skills necessary to pass welder qualification tests. Students will meet AWS SENSE (School Excelling through National Skill Standards Education) training standards for certification as an AWS Level II Advanced Welder.

All WLD courses are offered in an 8-week scheduling format.

Program Requirements

Number Course Title Credits
Required
MFT 1343

Description: Provides students in the machine trades the basic skills required for visualizing and interpreting industrial prints. Emphasizes orthographic projection techniques of top, front, side, and section views, tolerancing, geometric dimensioning and the impact of computer drafting as related to the machine trades.

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 1

Contact Hours: 4

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

MTH 100 13

Description: Reviews arithmetic, introduces basic algebraic and right triangle trigonometric techniques. Includes arithmetic, elementary algebra, geometry, ratio and proportions, measurements, right triangle trigonometry and their application to solve a variety of career and technical problems. Draws practical problems from the student’s career area, including emergency services, graphic communications, building trades, culinary arts and information technology. Intended for students pursuing Harper degrees and certificates in career program fields. This mathematics course is intended for AAS degree students only.

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

Contact Hours: 3

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

WLD 1103

Description: Covers fundamentals of oxyacetylene welding theory and practices, and beginning electric welding. Includes arc welding and gas welding, brazing and cutting in the horizontal position.

Lecture Hours: 1

Lab Hours: 4

Contact Hours: 5

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

WLD 2103

Description: Covers advanced welding theory and practice in arc welding. Provides experience in MIG and TIG (Heliarc) techniques. Includes an introduction to strength of weld testing. NOTE: The prerequisite will be waived for Fall 2020. Prerequisite: WLD 110 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor.

Lecture Hours: 1

Lab Hours: 4

Contact Hours: 5

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

WLD 2114

Description: Covers advanced welding theory and extensive practice in major arc welding process. Provides experience in advanced GMAW (gas metal arc welding), FCAW (flux cored arc welding), GTAW (gas tungsten arc welding), and other arc welding techniques. Includes plasma arc and air carbon arc cutting. NOTE: The prerequisite will be waived for Fall 2020. Prerequisite: WLD 210 with a grade of C or better, or consent of coordinator.

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 4

Contact Hours: 6

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

WLD 2124

Description: Covers advanced out-of-position and multi-pass arc welding including GMAW (gas metal arc welding), SMAW (shielded metal arc welding), and GTAW (gas tungsten arc welding). Emphasizes working from blueprints and development of welding skills necessary to pass welder qualification tests. Students must pass guided bend tests to become “certified welders” in accordance with AWS (American Welding Society) D1.1 Structural Welding Code. NOTE: The prerequisite will be waived for Fall 2020. Prerequisite: WLD 211 with a grade of C or better, or consent of coordinator.

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 4

Contact Hours: 6

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

WLD 2252

Description: Teaches the student to become proficient in reading more complex welding blueprints. The student will learn the symbols specific to welding blueprints. Emphasizes developing the ability to transfer the two-dimensional print to the actual three-dimensional object. NOTE: The prerequisite will be waived for Fall 2020. Prerequisite: MFT 134 and WLD 210 with grades of C or better.

Lecture Hours: 1

Lab Hours: 2

Contact Hours: 3

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

WLD 2493

Description: Provides both lab and classroom experience to cover the basic theory of all major welding processes. Covers shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, flux core arc welding, submerged arc welding, plasma arc welding and oxyacetylene welding. NOTE: The prerequisite will be waived for Fall 2020. Prerequisite: WLD 210 with a grade of C or better.

Lecture Hours: 1

Lab Hours: 4

Contact Hours: 5

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

WLD 2533

Description: Familiarizes the student with the difference between types of welding power sources. The student will learn through lab experiences the proper set-up and fine-tuning techniques which will result in a quality weld. Covers selection, use, troubleshooting and maintenance of major welding equipment. Prerequisite: WLD 210 with a grade of C or better.

Lecture Hours: 1

Lab Hours: 4

Contact Hours: 5

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

WLD 2604

Description: Helps the student attain arc (SMAW) welder qualification (certification) as required by many employers. This certification will meet the requirements of AWS (American Welding Society) D1.1 Structural Welding Code. Upon successful completion of the certification exam, the student will be given a copy of their test results (Welding Procedure Qualification.) NOTE: The prerequisite will be waived for Fall 2020. Prerequisite: WLD 210 with a grade of C or better.

Lecture Hours: 1

Lab Hours: 6

Contact Hours: 7

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

Total Hours32
1

MTH 100, MTH 101, MTH 103 or higher.

Related programs

Students interested in welding technology may also be interested in:

Next steps

For more information about Welding Technology, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.

Last Updated: 4/3/25