Program Information
The heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry continues to advance technologically, especially in the areas of computerization and sophisticated control systems. Thus, an upward trend is emerging in the changing skill sets required for successful service technicians. If you’re passionate about progressive technology and are interested in a satisfying high-demand career based on skill, then the San Jacinto College Air Conditioning Technology program is right for you.
The San Jacinto College Air Conditioning Technology (HVACR) program:
- Is designed to provide students with the necessary skills required to become a state-licensed independent business owner/contractor or for employment in the industry as a technician in residential, commercial, and/or industrial air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating; and
- Is made up of a curriculum that provides the basic preparation for entry-level jobs in the fields of residential and commercial air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating with initial focus on installation, troubleshooting, and service. As students advance through the program, they will learn related topics of indoor air quality, load calculation, system design, and industry code standards.
Additional Information
The Fast Track to HVACR program allows students to complete an Occupational Certificate in just 16 weeks – one semester.
Upon completion of each certificate, students may become registered with the state by registering with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Air Conditioning Technology program will enter a high demand field with excellent wage-earning potential. Presently, industry advisors say the demand for technicians has a 10-year backlog, and a 21 percent growth rate, faster than the average for all occupations.
Graduates of the San Jacinto College Air Conditioning Technology program have the opportunity to work as:
- Residential/commercial technicians,
- Industrial or maintenance technicians,
- Independent business owners or contractors, and
- Refrigeration technicians.
Earning Potential
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer: $53,7571
- 1
Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2022
For more information, students may contact North campus at 281-998-6150, x7264 or South campus at 281-998-6350, x3587.
Campuses
North Campus
South Campus
Information
The Air Conditioning Technology program is offered at the San Jacinto College South campus and the North campus. Both programs offer an Occupational Certificate, a Certificate of Technology, and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The North campus also offers a Level 2 Certificate. The Air Conditioning Technology program focuses on residential and commercial air conditioning as well as commercial refrigeration. All courses in each certificate apply to the AAS degrees.
Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.
Associate of Applied Science
The College designed the Air Conditioning Technology program to provide students with a study of electrical and mechanical knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for employment in today’s residential and light commercial Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) careers. These skills help prepare students for employment as installers, salespersons, and technicians in residential and light commercial air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating. A graduate of this program will have a good foundational knowledge in the principles of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration, with main emphasis on installation, troubleshooting, and customer service. Related topics of energy conservation, air systems design and analysis, advanced HVACR controls, and air conditioning codes are thoroughly covered. While this degree provides the student with 45 credit hours of HVACR specific courses, it also provides the student with 15 credit hours of general education courses should the student look to pursue a higher degree in the future.
Students who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree after graduation from San Jacinto College may want to consider programs at Lamar University. Lamar will accept credit for students with an AAS in Air Conditioning Technology. Interested students may find more information on the Lamar University transfer website.
Admission
No admission requirements.
Job entry requirements:
In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.
Plan of Study
3AIRCON
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| HART 1401 | Basic Electricity for HVAC | 4 |
| HART 1407 | Refrigeration Principles | 4 |
| HART 1441 | Residential Air Conditioning | 4 |
| HART 1445 | Gas and Electrical Heating | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Term | ||
| HART 2331 | Advanced Electricity for HVAC | 3 |
| HART 2301 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Codes | 3 |
| HART 2334 | Advanced A/C Controls | 3 |
| HART 2442 | Commercial Refrigeration | 4 |
| HART 2368 or HART 2338 | Practicum (or Field Experience) - HVAC/R Technology/Technician or Air Conditioning Installation and Startup | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Term | ||
| HART 2441 | Commercial Air Conditioning | 4 |
| EECT 1300 | Technical Customer Service or Industrial Air Conditioning or Heat Pumps or Specialized Commercial Refrigeration | 3 |
| HART 2345 or HART 2302 | Residential A/C System Design or Commercial Air Conditioning System Design | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Speech Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Business and Professional Speech | ||
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| HART 2336 | Air Conditioning Troubleshooting | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences or Government/Political Science or American History | 3 | |
| MATH 1332 or MATH 1314 | Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) or College Algebra | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture (Humanities) or Creative Arts (Fine Arts) | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Capstone Experience: HART 2336 Air Conditioning Troubleshooting
If you do not see your transfer school, please follow the Plan of Study. For more information, contact the Department Chair on your campus. Please speak to an advisor at San Jacinto College and the transfer institution to ensure this Transfer Plan is accurate and complete. For a list of all MAPs, students may go to Transfer Plans A-Z. Students may filter for specific universities, disciplines, or degrees, and print individual MAPs.
Air Conditioning Technology
Lamar, Air Conditioning Tech, Industrial Tech, BSIT Full-time
Lamar, Air Conditioning Tech, Industrial Tech, BSIT Part-time