Harper College is closed on Friday, April 18, for Reading Day.
Career options 
Prepare for a career in welding technology with this 60-credit-hour degree program. Welding and fabrication are fast-growing fields, and individuals with skills in these areas are in high demand among employers. When you graduate from this program, you’ll be prepared to secure full-time employment as a welder, fabricator or welder supervisor in the manufacturing or construction industry. Additionally, completion of this program allows you to become a certified welder.
Take classes in welding, prints and schematics, advanced blueprint reading, cutting processes, welding fabrication, applied welding theory, welding power sources and more. You’ll also complete a variety of technical elective courses. All classes are taught by knowledgeable instructors who are highly skilled in the welding and fabrication fields.
This 60 credit-hour program prepares students for employment in the high demand welding and fabrication sector of the economy. Graduates may find employment as welders, fabricators and welder supervisors in the manufacturing and construction industries.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
First Semester | Hours | |
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with a grade of B or better and required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with a grade of B or better and required reading placement test score. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MFT 134 | Print Reading for Industry | 3 |
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 | Applied Math for Technical Careers 1 | 3 |
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 110 | Welding I | 3 |
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 210 | Welding II | 3 |
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 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
Second Semester | ||
| AAS General Education elective(s) + | 6 | |
| WLD 211 | Welding III | 4 |
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 212 | Welding IV | 4 |
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 225 | Advanced Blueprint Reading | 2 |
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 | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
Third Semester | ||
| Technical Elective(s) | 6 | |
| WLD 240 | Cutting Processes | 3 |
Description: Allows the student an opportunity to gain proficiency in all major industrial arc, oxy-fuel, and mechanical cutting processes-manual, semi-automatic and automatic. Processes include Plasma Arc, Air Carbon Arc, Shielded Metal Arc, Exothermic, and Oxy-Fuel cutting; optical tracers; and CNC controls. 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 249 | Applied Welding Theory | 3 |
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 253 | Welding Power Sources | 3 |
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 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
Fourth Semester | ||
| AAS General Education elective(s) + | 3 | |
| Technical Elective(s) | 3 | |
| WLD 245 | Welding Fabrication I | 4 |
Description: Provides hands-on experience constructing welding projects employing arc, oxy-acetylene, gas metal arc (mig), gas tungsten arc (tig), or a combination of these welding processes using a welding blueprint as a guide. NOTE: The prerequisite will be waived for Fall 2020. Prerequisite: WLD 211 and WLD 240 with grades of C or better. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 4 Contact Hours: 6 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| WLD 250 | Welding Fabrication II | 4 |
Description: Prepares the students to construct welding projects employing arc, oxyacetylene, gas metal arc (MIG), gas tungsten arc (TIG), or any combination of these welding processes using a welding blueprint as a guide. Covers advanced fabrication techniques including rolling, forming and bending. NOTE: The prerequisite will be waived for Fall 2020. Prerequisite: WLD 211 and WLD 245 with grades of C or better. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 4 Contact Hours: 6 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Students may take MTH 100, MTH 101, MTH 103 or higher.
At least one of the AAS General Education electives must meet the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MFT 105 | Machining Processes I | 3 |
Description: Covers fundamentals of machine shop theory and safe practices. Provides familiarization with tools, equipment, and practices of the precision metal working industry. Includes introduction to mills, drill press, and lathes. Students are provided classroom and laboratory learning experiences. Students may earn NIMS credentials. Lecture Hours: 1 Lab Hours: 4 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MFT 120 | Machining Processes II | 3 |
Description: Covers machine shop theory with emphasis on safe practices and applications. Includes lathes, surface grinders, and milling machines. Projects in this class will be machined using high speed (HSS) tools. Students are responsible for calculating all feeds and speeds. Students may earn NIMS credentials. NOTE: The prerequisite will be waived for Fall 2020. Prerequisite: MFT 105 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 246 | Pre-Pipe Welding | 4 |
Description: Covers advanced skills in shielded metal arc welding using the E6010 and E 7018 electrodes on mild steel plate up to 3/8” thickness in all positions. NOTE: The prerequisite will be waived for Fall 2020. Prerequisite: WLD 210 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 4 Contact Hours: 6 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| WLD 248 | Basic Pipe Welding | 4 |
Description: Covers techniques of basic pipe fitting, use of 90’s, T’s, flanges, valves, take offs, use of pipe blueprints, sketches, templates, and uphill welding techniques on pipe. Perform SMAW pipe welding with E6010 and E7018 electrodes in all positions. NOTE: The prerequisite will be waived for Fall 2020. Prerequisite: WLD 210 and WLD 246 with grades of C or better. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 4 Contact Hours: 6 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| WLD 260 | Arc Welder Qualification | 4 |
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 | ||
| WLD 261 | Mig Welder Qualification | 4 |
Description: Helps the student attain Mig (GMAW) 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.) 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 | ||
| WLD 285 | Topics in Welding Technology | 1-6 |
Description: Examines selected problems or topics in welding technology. The specific course content and instructional methodology will vary each semester offered depending on the material presented. A syllabus containing specific topic information will be available in the division office with pre-registration materials each time the course is offered. This course may be repeated to a maximum of 6 credit hours. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor Lecture Hours: 6 Lab Hours: 3 Contact Hours: 9 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
Upon completion of the AAS in Welding Technology, students should:
Students interested in welding technology may also be interested in:
For more information about earning a welding degree at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.