Welding Fundamentals

Program Overview

Welding Fundamentals

Program Overview

The Welding Fundamentals Certificate provides students with the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to get started in the welding industry. With this certificate, students can pick their path based on the type of welding they'd like to do. They'll start with classes every welder needs and then choose their area of focus.

Welding Focus Areas

• GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding): The most common industrial welding process used in welding and metal fabrication industries. GMAW is used widely for production welding applications and is considered the easiest welding process to become proficient at performing.
• SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding): Used widely in construction, pipeline, and maintenance. SMAW is highly portable and requires more time to become proficient at.
• GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding): For work on specialized materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, or chromoly tubing, or an environment where a high degree of accuracy is needed. GTAW is considered the most challenging welding process to become proficient at performing.

Welding Fundamentals Certificate Details

• Program Number: CERT
• Degree: Certificate
• Area of Study: Construction, Manufacturing, and Maintenance
• Delivery Method: 100% In Person
• Estimated Time to Complete: 7 Credits | Finish in 1 semester
• Estimated Program Cost: $1,365.56

Curriculum and Experience

Required Courses

• Safety for Industry: 1 credit
• Interpreting Engineering Drawings: 2 credits
• Welding Occupational Development: 1 credit

Select one of the following:

• Math for Metal Fabrication: 1 credit
• Math for the Machine Trades: 2 credits
• Vocational Math 1: 1 credit

Select one welding option:

• Basic Arc (SMAW): 2 credits
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding 1 (GTAW/TIG): 2 credits

Admission

• Admission Requirements: There are no admission requirements for this certificate. Simply submit your application by the deadline for each term.
• Application Dates:
  • Fall 2025: Application open, deadline October 15, 2025
  • Spring 2026: Application available September 15, 2025, deadline March 15, 2026
• Additional Notes:
  • Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid
  • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Students who have already completed the certificate coursework at the time of application will receive the certificate diploma at the end of the term of application

Career Outcomes

• Technical Welding Skills: Demonstrate knowledge, set-up, and correct operation of commonly used welding equipment.
• Safety Awareness: Apply and demonstrate safe working practices and techniques that comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, local requirements, and established industry safety practices.
• Basic Blueprint Reading Skills: Read, interpret, and apply information commonly found on blueprints used in the welding industry. Correctly interpret dimensions, welding symbols, and other information commonly found on blueprints used in the welding industry.
• Employability Skills and Practices: Demonstrate abilities that contribute to employment by displaying flexibility, self-motivation, time efficiency, effective written and oral communication, and contributing to work team success.
• Career Advancement Skills and Personal Initiative: Demonstrate career advancement skills by engaging in problem-solving, time management, and shop management practices.

Related Programs

• Welding
• Metal Fabrication
• Machine Tooling Technics

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Welding Fundamentals Certificate provides the foundational skills and knowledge necessary to enter the welding industry.
Students can choose a specialization based on their desired welding type.
• Objectives:
• Acquire foundational welding skills and knowledge.
• Develop proficiency in a specific welding area.
• Prepare for entry-level welding positions.

Program Description:

• Students can choose between Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), or Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW).
• GMAW is the most common industrial welding process used in welding and metal fabrication industries, suitable for production welding applications.
• SMAW is widely used in construction, pipeline, and maintenance, requiring more time to master.
• GTAW is employed for specialized materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, or chromoly tubing, or in environments requiring high precision.

Outline:

Required Courses:

• 10-449-100 Safety for Industry (1 credit)
• 10-606-200 Interpreting Engineering Drawings (2 credits)
• 31-442-320 Welding Occupational Development (1 credit)

Select one of the following:

• 31-457-309 Math for Metal Fabrication (1 credit)
• 32-420-711 Math for the Machine Trades (2 credits)
• 31-804-379 Vocational Math 1 (1 credit)

Select one welding option:

Option 1:

• 31-442-315 Basic Arc (SMAW) (2 credits)
• 31-442-321 Arc Welding (SMAW) Vertical (2 credits)

Option 2:

• 31-442-318 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding 1 (GTAW/TIG) (2 credits)

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Entry Level Welder
• Production Welder
• Maintenance Welder
• Ironworker Apprenticeship
• Structural Welder
• Opportunities:
• Employment in manufacturing, construction, automotive, and specialized industries.
• Preparation for passing American Welding Society (AWS) and State of Wisconsin Structural Steel Welding Certification.
• Outcomes:
• Entry-level welding jobs
• Advancement opportunities in the welding field