| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2025-03-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
| 2026-03-01 | - |
Program Overview
Welding Technology: Welding Fabrication and Layout at Cerritos College
Associate of Science
The Associate of Science degree program in Welding Fabrication and Layout combines general education courses with courses designed to teach students metal fabrication and welding techniques along with proper use of industrial metal fabrication equipment used in the industry to build and fabricate everything from racecars to high rise buildings. Coursework in the certificate program also includes beginning and intermediate Arc Welding courses, as well as coursework in technical math skills and reading blueprints used in the industry. Students completing this program will obtain the necessary technical knowledge, practical welding skills, and fabrication experience to enter all forms of the industry.
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: Welding Fabrication and Layout
- Associate of Science
- 59.0 - 65.5 Units
Program Pathway
- Fall 2024, 1st Term
- 15.0 - 15.5 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 (2.0 Units)
- MILE Department Information
- Spring 2025, 2nd Term
- 14.0 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)
- ELEC Elective (2.0 Units)
- Fall 2025, 3rd Term
- 15.0 - 17.0 Units
- MAJ WELD 170: Structural Fabrication (2.0 Units)
- GEN U.S. Government (3.0 Units)
- GEN Communication and Analytical Thinking (3.0 - 5.0 Units)
- GEN Proficiency: Health & Wellness (1.0 Units)
- ELEC Elective (3.0 Units)
- ELEC Elective (3.0 Units)
- Spring 2026, 4th Term
- 15.0 - 19.0 Units
- GEN Humanities (3.0 - 5.0 Units)
- GEN Natural Sciences (3.0 - 5.0 Units)
- GEN GE or Elective (3.0 Units)
- ELEC Elective (3.0 Units)
- ELEC Elective (3.0 Units)
Program Details
- Welding Technology: Welding Fabrication and Layout - Associate of Science
- 59.0 - 65.5 units
- To ensure that you have sufficient units to graduate (at least 60 semester units/90 quarter units for an associate degree and 120 semester units/180 quarter units for a bachelor's degree), make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits your needs.
Program Outline
Welding Technology: Welding Fabrication and Layout - Associate of Science at Cerritos College
Degree Overview:
The Associate of Science degree program in Welding Fabrication and Layout combines general education courses with specialized courses designed to equip students with the technical knowledge, practical welding skills, and fabrication experience needed to enter various welding careers.
Objectives:
- To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of metal fabrication and welding techniques.
- To train students in the proper use of industrial metal fabrication equipment.
- To prepare students for entry-level positions in the welding industry.
- To develop students' technical math skills and blueprint reading abilities.
Program Description:
This program offers a combination of theoretical and hands-on learning, ensuring students gain the necessary skills and knowledge for success in the welding field. Students will learn various welding techniques, including arc welding, as well as develop their metal fabrication and blueprint reading skills. The program also emphasizes safety procedures and industry standards.
Outline:
Fall 2023:
- WELD 120 - Beginning Arc Welding (5 units): Introduces students to the fundamentals of arc welding, including safety procedures, equipment operation, and basic welding techniques.
- WELD 149 - Welding Shop Math (4 units): Covers essential mathematical concepts and calculations used in welding, such as measurement, geometry, and trigonometry.
- English Composition (4-4.5 units): Develops students' writing and communication skills.
- Elective (2 units): Students can choose from various elective courses to fulfill their general education requirements.
Spring 2024:
- WELD 200 - Intermediate Arc Welding (4 units): Builds upon the skills learned in Beginning Arc Welding, focusing on advanced techniques and welding applications.
- WELD 159 - Blueprint Reading for the Welding Trades (4 units): Teaches students how to read and interpret welding blueprints and technical drawings.
- Proficiency: Mathematics (4 units): Students choose a math course that satisfies their proficiency requirement.
- Elective (2 units): Students can choose from various elective courses to fulfill their general education requirements.
Fall 2024:
- WELD 170 - Structural Fabrication (2 units): Introduces students to the principles and techniques of structural metal fabrication.
- U.S. Government (3 units): Satisfies general education requirements in government and politics.
- Communication and Analytical Thinking (3-5 units): Develops students' critical thinking and communication skills.
- Proficiency: Health & Wellness (1 unit): Students choose a health and wellness course to fulfill their proficiency requirement.
- Elective (3 units): Students can choose from various elective courses to fulfill their general education requirements.
- Elective (3 units): Students can choose from various elective courses to fulfill their general education requirements.
Spring 2025:
- Humanities (3-5 units): Students choose a humanities course to fulfill their general education requirements.
- Natural Sciences (3-5 units): Students choose a natural sciences course to fulfill their general education requirements.
- GE or Elective (3 units): Students can choose either a general education course or an elective to fulfill their remaining requirements.
- Elective (3 units): Students can choose from various elective courses to fulfill their general education requirements.
- Exams and quizzes: To assess students' understanding of theoretical concepts and knowledge.
- Practical assignments and projects: To evaluate students' practical welding skills and application of learned techniques.
- Performance-based assessments: To observe students' ability to safely and effectively perform various welding tasks.
Teaching:
The program likely utilizes a combination of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures and classroom instruction: To convey theoretical knowledge and concepts related to welding and fabrication.
- Hands-on training: To provide students with practical experience in using welding equipment and techniques.
- Demonstrations and simulations: To illustrate welding processes and techniques in a visual and interactive manner.
- Individualized instruction and feedback: To ensure students receive personalized guidance and support in their learning.
Careers:
The program prepares graduates for various career opportunities in the welding industry, including:
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: These professionals operate and monitor welding machines, ensuring proper settings and quality control.
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians: These professionals calibrate and maintain welding equipment and ensure its accuracy and performance.
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters: These professionals fabricate and assemble metal structures using welding techniques.
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: These professionals use various welding techniques to join and repair metal components. Program graduates can find employment in various industries, including:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Automotive
- Aerospace
