Spark a Strong Future
Start your journey in Welding Technology with hands-on training that builds from foundational skills to advanced expertise. The Occupational Certificate introduces essential welding processes and safety practices, while the Level 1 and Level 2 Certificates expand your proficiency in specialized techniques and fabrication methods. Continue your education with the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Welding Technology, which combines advanced technical training with leadership and project management courses to prepare you for supervisory roles or career advancement. Whether you’re entering the workforce or aiming to grow your skills, San Jacinto College offers a clear pathway to a strong, high-demand career in welding.
Career Opportunities and Income
Visit sanjac.edu for information regarding career opportunities and potential earnings in the Greater Houston region.
Job Entry Requirements. 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 program’s department chair. This is in accordance with Texas House Bill 1508 amendments to Texas Occupations Code Sec. 53.152.
Some career paths require a TWIC Card and a good driving record.
Learning & Career Pathway
This learning pathway – a series of related and “stacked” certificates and degrees – includes the following awards. You can start at any point on the path and earn certificates on your way to completing the degree.
- Welding Technology Art-Welding Occupational Certificate (6 months)
- Welding, Combination Welder, Certificate of Technology (6 months)
- Gas Shielded Welding, Certificate of Technology (6 months)
- Welding, Industrial Welder, Level 2 Certificate (1.5 years)
- Welding Technology, Associate of Applied Science (2 years)
San Jacinto College works with many Houston-area and Texas universities that offer bachelor’s degrees that are a great next step after earning the Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology. The Transfer Plans tab above shows transfer plans for these universities.
Learning Outcomes and Career Skills
A student completing the last award in the pathway will be able to:
- Follow safe work practices and procedures and work as a team member based on NCCER safety standards.
- Hook up leads for specific welding processes.
- Select proper electrodes and material for each welding process.
- Use appropriate communication techniques, including the interpretation of welding symbols on a drawing and writing clear technical reports.
- Make welds in all positions and in all processes.
- Set up and use both an oxyfuel torch and plasma cutting machine.
External Learning Experiences
This program includes external learning experiences outside of the classroom, such as an internship, externship, clinical, practicum, or cooperative learning experience. Those experiences are typically on-site at a business or organization.
All students participating in external learning experiences are required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the external learning sites. Some learning sites outside the college have their own vaccination requirements. These rules come from those facilities and are not mandated by the college. Failure to meet those immunization requirements may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay a student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the external learning site.
Locations
College Admission
San Jacinto College is an open admission institution. All students are welcome to apply and will be admitted to the College. You may begin the process on the College’s How to Apply webpage.
Program Admission
There are no additional admission requirements for the Welding program; you only need to complete your application to the College, as noted in “College Admission” above, and follow the enrollment steps.
Plan of Study
3WLD
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Term | Credits | |
| WLDG 1428 | Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) | 4 |
| WLDG 1204 | Fundamentals of Oxy-Fuel Welding and Cutting | 2 |
| WLDG 1430 | Introduction to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) | 4 |
| 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 | 16 | |
| Second Term | ||
| WLDG 1434 | Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) | 4 |
| WLDG 2443 | Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) | 4 |
| WLDG 1412 | Introduction to Flux Cored Arc Welding | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Term | ||
| WLDG 1413 | Introduction to Blueprint Reading | 4 |
| WLDG 2406 | Intermediate Pipe Welding | 4 |
| WLDG 2451 | Advanced Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Speech Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Business and Professional Communication | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Term | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Art Metals Welding and CNC Fabrication | ||
| Radiographic Film Interpretation of Weldments (Select one of the following:) | ||
| Pipefitting Fabrication and Blueprint Reading | ||
| WLDG 2453 | Advanced Pipe Welding | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Internship - Welding Technology/Welder | ||
| Intermediate Welding Using Multiple Processes | ||
| Metal Sculpture Welding and Fabrication | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences or Government/Political Science or American History | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Capstone Experience: WLDG 2413 Intermediate Welding Using Multiple Processes or WLDG 1408 Metal Sculpture Welding and Fabrication or Work-Based Learning Experience: WLDG 2488 Internship - Welding Technology/Welder
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.