Associate of Applied Science | 64 credits minimum

Program Website
Academic and Career Advising

Program Description
Students are required to earn a Certificate of Completion in welding from the Salt Lake Technical College at SLCC as a pre-requisite to the Welding Fabrication and Inspection AAS degree program. The Certificate of Completion in welding from the Salt Lake Technical College at SLCC is the equivalent of 30 credit hours. A student must pass each course with a “C” or higher to move onto the next level class.

Degree seeking students will receive a foundation of industry practices, welding theory, and knowledge of metal alloys and metallurgy processes. Graduates from the program will be competent in layout, fabrication, inspection, fitting, cutting, and forming metals, and determining electrodes and filler metals required by industry. Students will have the opportunity to learn techniques for certification testing, competent blueprint interpretation, and written procedures required by industry. Welders desiring to improve their position by upgrading their skills in specific welding processes or applications; or welders desiring instruction certification, fabrication, or inspection are encouraged to enroll in the program. 

The welding program at SLCC also provides training in a variety of welding processes and joint designs. This includes:

OAW - all position oxyacetylene welding, cutting
PAC - Plasma Arc Cutting
SMAW - stick welding, all positions, plate and pipe
CAC - Carbon Arc Cutting
GMAW - all position short circuiting transfer and spray transfer techniques
GTAW - all position welding ferrous and non-ferrous metals
FCAW - flux cored arc welding
SAW - submerged arc welding
Blueprint reading, fabrication and layout
Operation of shears, rolls, drills and brakes

Career Opportunities
The current need for Utah is 1,650 welders. For Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers the median wage is $47,987, while the national median wage is $43,986. Welding students are often offered a welding position before they finish the program.
Salt Lake Community College welding graduates will be prepared to find careers such as: 

• Fabricator/Welder: $16.00 - $24.00/hr
• Pipe Welders: $20.00-$30.00/hr

Transfer/Articulation Information
Students who earn an AAS degree in Welding have the option to transfer into the Technology Management Bachelor Degree at Utah Valley University. UVU will accept up to 45 technical credits towards this degree.

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Course Fees: $140
Supplies & personal protective equipment: Ranges from $500 to $800

NOTE: Fees may vary based upon specific registration and are subject to change.

Program Entry Requirements
Completion of SLTC Welding Technology Certificate of Completion is required for the program. Good eyesight, good eye-hand coordination, physical condition and basic reading and math skills are required for success in this program. Students may start this program during the Fall or Spring semester. For information on getting started, please visit www.slcc.edu/students-future/admissions