Welding Classes in Houston, Texas with Course Descriptions
Higher Education Articles February 22, 2013There are several colleges within fifty miles of Houston, Texas that offers welding programs. In this article, we will provide an overview of three school’s admission information, requirements, and programs, so students can find out which school is the right one for them.
Colleges and Universities Comparison – Welding Programs
Students can find two different types of certificate options in welding at Houston Community College, which is located near the heart of downtown Houston. San Jacinto Community College, which is about twenty-four miles from downtown Houston, offers many degree and certificate programs in welding. Lee College, located twenty-seven miles from downtown Houston offers associate degree and certificate programs in welding.
|
Colleges |
Lee College |
San Jacinto Community College |
Houston Community College |
|
Welding Programs |
Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology, Certificate of Completion in Welding Inspection Technology, Certificate of Completion in Welding Technology |
Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology, Combination Welder Certificate of Technology, Gas Shielded Welding Certificate of Technology, Structural Welder Certificate of Technology, Occupational Certificate in Welding – Art Welding, Occupational Certificate in Welding Stick Pipe |
Advanced Welding Certificate and Basic Welding Helper certificate |
|
Type of School |
Public Community College |
Public Community College |
Public Community College |
|
Student Enrollments |
6,416 |
29,392 |
63,015 |
|
Campus Setting |
Small City |
Large Suburb |
Large City |
|
Tuition and Fees |
$3,540 (out-of-state), $2,220 (in-state), and $1,500 (in-district) |
$2,982 (out-of-state), $1,782 (in-state), and $1,182 (in-district) |
$3,629 (out-of-state), $3,233 (in-state), $1,625 (in-district) |
|
Financial Aid Assistant Percentage |
63% |
54% |
67% |
|
Retention Rate |
Full-time Students – 65% |
Full-time Students – 66% |
Full-time Students – 69% |
|
Graduation Rate |
21% |
11% |
14% |
|
Distance from Downtown |
26.9 miles |
23.8 miles |
2.2 miles |
Houston Community College Programs
Welding students seeking enrollment in Houston Community College can choose evening, day and weekend courses in advanced and basic certificate programs. Students have to undergo placement testing before they are admitted to either program.
Welding Helper Certificate – Basic
It takes just one semester for students to earn the basic welding helper certificate. Coursework covers subject areas such as critical thinking, blueprint reading, welding using multiple processes, welding fundamentals and industrial mathematics. There are sixteen semester units worth of courses in the program.
Advanced Welding Certificate Program
To complete the advanced welding certificate program, it takes three semesters and forty semester units of work. The first semester is not much different from the basic welding helper certificate program. Thereafter, advanced coursework is imparted including gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding and pipe welding.
San Jacinto Community College Programs
San Jacinto Community College’s welding programs serve as preparation for mandatory industry certification tests. The school offers an associate degree program as well as five different certificate programs.
Welding Stick Pipe
Both advanced and introductory courses in shield metal arc welding are offered in this program. Also, there are advanced and intermediate classes for pipe welding. Students will be able to pass tests related to pipe welding as issued by welding industry and fabrication companies during the end of the program.
Welding – Art Welding
In this program, students are taught how to use welding in an artistic manner to create art objects including yard ornaments and sculptures. Note: students enrolling in this program are not taught industrial welding.
Structural Welder Certificate of Technology
This program primarily focuses on shielded metal arc welding. There are only three courses in this program. This includes an advanced class in the subject and an introductory course to shielded metal arc welding. In addition, a cooperative education experience is required.
Gas Shielded Welding Certificate of Technology
Completion of this program will give students entry-level experience. The program will last for two semesters and includes two major techniques, namely, gas metal arc welding and gas tungsten arc welding.
Combination Welder Certificate Program of Technology
Gas tungsten arc welding and shielded metal arc welding are the two main areas of focus in this program, which is perfectly devised to satisfy the needs of students seeking intermediate and advanced experience in the field. Students can apply credits earned toward the associate degree program offered at the school.
Welding Technology – Associate of Applied Science
This program require students to take many general education classes apart from its welding courses, which include instruction in gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding and shielded metal arc welding. It takes about four terms to complete the entire program.
Lee College Programs
Associate and certificate programs at Lee College are offered in both inspection and welding technology. Students at this school will have access to five welding laboratories on campus.
Welding Technology – Certificate of Completion
To earn this credit, students need to complete thirty-eight semester credit hours. To complete this program, it typically takes four semesters. During the first two semesters, course topics include welding metallurgy, gas arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, tools and equipment, welding safety, and blueprint reading. The final half of the curriculum covers gas tungsten arc welding, welding codes, and pipe welding.
Welding Inspection Technology – Certificate of Completion
The program starts off with coursework on welding metallurgy, blueprint reading, and magnetic particle and liquid penetrant testing. Thereafter, students are taught about welding codes. Students are also required to complete class-work that facilitates preparation to take the welding inspector certification examination. The program spans for twenty-one semester credit hours.
Welding Technology – Associate of Applied Science
The program offers several basic courses covering processes such as gas tungsten arc welding, shielded metal arc welding and pipe welding. Advanced portions are also included in a majority of these courses. Coursework also covers other topics such as oral communications, technical algebra and math applications. Students are required to earn sixty-two to sixty-three credit hours worth of work in this program.
Other School Options
Located thirty-three miles from downtown Houston; Lone Star College System offers several certificate and welding associate degree programs. Students can enroll into similar certificate programs at College of the Mainland that is located thirty-five miles from Houston’s downtown area.
