Welding Technology: Pipe Welding

Program Overview

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Welding Technology: Pipe Welding at Cerritos College

Associate of Science

This Associate of Science degree program includes coursework that is specifically designed to teach students how to custom fabricate pipe into real-world applications like those found in power plants and oil refineries. Students in the program will learn the technical aspects of pipe welding data and will develop the hands-on skills leading to Pipe Welding Certifications. The program also includes coursework (including an Advanced Arc Welding Laboratory) which prepares students for multiple structural steel welder certifications. Students completing this program will obtain the necessary technical knowledge, practical welding skills, and welding certifications required to enter the workforce as a skilled welder.

Salary, Growth and Careers

Salary

Careers associated with this program have a salary range from $39,000 to $108,000 with an average salary of $57,000.

Growth

Career opportunities for this program are expected to shrink nationwide from 2022 to 2032.

Careers

• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
  • Education Level: High school diploma or equivalent
  • Job Growth: -8.4%
  • Average Salary: $49,000
  • Salary Range: $39,000 - $55,000
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians and Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
  • Education Level: Associate's degree
  • Job Growth: +4.4%
  • Average Salary: $68,000
  • Salary Range: $42,000 - $108,000
• Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
  • Education Level: High school diploma or equivalent
  • Job Growth: -16.4%
  • Average Salary: $55,000
  • Salary Range: $46,000 - $64,000
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
  • Education Level: High school diploma or equivalent
  • Job Growth: +1.4%
  • Average Salary: $59,000
  • Salary Range: $46,000 - $65,000

Program Map

Welding Technology: Pipe Welding

Associate of Science

60.0 - 66.5 Units

• Major Course
• General Education Course
• Elective Course
• Milestone
• Offers Microcredential

Fall 2024

1st Term

16.0 - 16.5 UNITS

• MAJ WELD 120: Beginning Arc Welding (5.0 Units)
• MAJ WELD 149: Welding Shop Math (4.0 Units)
• GEN English Composition (4.0 - 4.5 Units)
• ELEC Elective (3.0 Units)
• MILE Department Information

Spring 2025

2nd Term

15.0 UNITS

• MAJ WELD 200: Intermediate Arc Welding (4.0 Units)
• MAJ WELD 159: Blueprint Reading for the Welding Trades (4.0 Units)
• GEN Proficiency: Mathematics (4.0 Units)
• GEN Proficiency: Health & Wellness (1.0 Units)
• ELEC Elective (2.0 Units)

Fall 2025

3rd Term

16.0 - 18.0 UNITS

• MAJ WELD 210L: Advanced Arc Welding Laboratory (2.0 Units)
• MAJ WELD 153: Pipe Layout (2.0 Units)
• GEN U.S. History or Government (3.0 Units)
• GEN Communication and Analytical Thinking (3.0 - 5.0 Units)
• ELEC Elective (3.0 Units)
• ELEC Elective (3.0 Units)

Spring 2026

4th Term

13.0 - 17.0 UNITS

• MAJ WELD 252L: Pipe Welding Level 1 (2.0 Units)
• GEN Humanities (3.0 - 5.0 Units)
• GEN Natural Sciences (3.0 - 5.0 Units)
• GEN GE or Elective (0.0 Units)
• ELEC Elective (3.0 Units)
• ELEC Elective (2.0 Units)

Program Outline

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Outline:

• Program Length: Associate of Science degree, 60.0 - 66.5 units.
• Program Content:
• Coursework focused on custom pipe fabrication for applications like those found in power plants and oil refineries.
• Technical aspects of pipe welding data.
• Hands-on skills leading to Pipe Welding Certifications.
• Advanced Arc Welding Laboratory to prepare for structural steel welder certifications.
• Program Structure:
• Four terms across two academic years.
• Each term offers specific courses in major, general education, and elective categories.
• Module Descriptions:
• Fall 2023 (1st term):
• WELD 120 - Beginning Arc Welding (5 units)
• WELD 149 - Welding Shop Math (4 units)
• English Composition (4-4.5 units)
• Elective (3 units)
• Spring 2024 (2nd term):
• WELD 200 - Intermediate Arc Welding (4 units)
• WELD 159 - Blueprint Reading for the Welding Trades (4 units)
• Proficiency: Mathematics (4 units)
• Proficiency: Health & Wellness (1 unit)
• Elective (2 units)
• Fall 2024 (3rd term):
• WELD 210L - Advanced Arc Welding Laboratory (2 units)
• WELD 153 - Pipe Layout (2 units)
• U.S. History or Government (3 units)
• Communication and Analytical Thinking (3-5 units)
• Elective (3 + 3 units)
• Spring 2025 (4th term):
• WELD 252L - Pipe Welding Level 1 (2 units)
• Humanities (3-5 units)
• Natural Sciences (3-5 units)
• GE or Elective (0 units)
• Elective (3 + 2 units)

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Careers:

• Salary range: $28,000 to $108,000 with an average salary of $49,000.
• Growth: Little change expected nationwide from 2019 to 2029.
• Potential careers:
• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians and Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
• Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers