From welding to philosophy, FRCC has a program for you.

Is a bachelor's degree your goal? Our two-year associate degrees (A.A., A.S.) are guaranteed to transfer to four-year public schools in Colorado.

Need skills? Our technical degrees (A.A.S.) and certificates launch you into a career. Some certificates can be completed in just one semester!

Select a campus to see what programs are offered there.  Click on a program name for required classes, contacts, starting salaries, and more.

Welding Technology

Offered at: Larimer

If you enjoy creating and repairing using the welding technique, a welding degree might be right for you. FRCC’s welding school offers an associate degree in Welding, along with several specialized welding courses and certificates.

Learn welding techniques in a hands-on approach that will prepare you for an exciting career in welding.

Welding Degree

A.A.S. in Welding

60 credits
(4 semesters)

An A.A.S. degree in Welding shows employers you are job-ready with quality welding skills, knowledge of job safety, and teamwork and communication skills. Employers will know you have been trained in a certified welding testing facility by certified welding instructors.

You may complete a Welding Fundamentals certificate, enter the workforce and then return at any time to learn specific skills while pursuing advanced certificates or an A.A.S. degree.

Welding Degree: See required courses and descriptions.

Welding Certificates

Metal Fabrication

33 credits
(2 semesters)

This certificate program covers a broad spectrum of welding techniques, including: cutting processes, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding, blueprint reading, design, layout and metal fabrication.

Metal Fabrication certificate: See required courses and descriptions.

Comprehensive Welding

33 credits
(2 semesters)

This certificate program covers a broad spectrum of welding techniques, including: cutting processes, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding and gas metal arc welding.

Welding certificate: See required courses and descriptions.

Creative Metalworking

16 credits
(2 semesters)

This Metalworking certificate program is designed for the artist in you. It combines 2-D design and introductory welding concepts to produce welded sculptures using techniques to color and texture metal.

Metalworking certificate: See required courses and descriptions.

Gas Metal Arc Welding

9 credits
(1 semester)

This certificate program covers welding in all positions and on various joint configurations using the gas metal arc welding process on various metals.

Gas Metal Arc certificate: See required courses and descriptions.

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

9 credits
(1 semester)

This certificate program covers welding in all positions on various joint configurations using the gas tungsten arc welding processes on various metals.

Gas Tungsten Arc certificate: See required courses and descriptions.

Oxyacetylene Welding

5 credits
(1 semester)

This certificate program covers setting up equipment and performing cutting and gouging operations using various cutting processes.

Oxyacetylene Welding certificate: See required courses and descriptions.

Shielded Metal Arc Welding

13 credits
(2 semesters)

This certificate program covers safety inspections, minor repairs, operating parameters and operating shielded metal arc welding equipment using various electrodes.

Shielded Metal Arc Welding certificate: See required courses and descriptions.

Welding Fundamentals

9 credits
(1 semester)

This certificate program provides an introduction to welding skills, including cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding and gas metal arc welding.

Welding Fundamentals certificate: See required courses and descriptions.

What You Will Learn

Upon completion of the Welding program, you will be able to:

  1. Follow general welding shop safety rules and protocol utilizing critical thinking skills.
  2. Identify the fundamental theory and principals of an oxy-fuel system, apply and demonstrate this theory in various welding and cutting applications.
  3. Identify the fundamental theory and principals of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), apply and demonstrate this theory in various SMAW applications.
  4. Identify the fundamental theory and principals of Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), apply and demonstrate this theory in various GMAW applications
  5. Identify the fundamental theory and principals of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), apply and demonstrate this theory in various GTAW applications.
  6. Identify the fundamental theory and principals of Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW), apply and demonstrate this theory in various FCAW applications
  7. Identify basic welding blueprint symbols, visualize and interpret 3D and 2D drawings that support a manufacturing and welding environment utilizing quantitative reasoning skills.
  8. Identify general welding shop fabrication practices, maintain and operate general fabrication equipment and machinery.
  9. Employ advanced communication skills and techniques in a welding and manufacturing environment, as well as utilizing information and technology literacy.
  10. Employ current industry standards in welding processes, demonstrating professionalism regarding appropriate work-ethic traits through personal conduct and effective teamwork.

Certified by the American Welding Society

AWS logo

Our instructors are certified welding educators and certified welding inspectors. Your FRCC Welding degree or certificates make you a highly qualified welding professional. Contact Josh Heuerman for more information on the AWS Testing Facility.

Welding Salaries

Jobs Entry Average Experienced
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, Brazers $35,986 $50,747 $58,128
Sheet Metal Workers $33,662 $49,621 $57,600
Structural Iron & Steel Workers $42,408 $56,276 $63,211
Colorado Dept. of Labor & Employment (2021)
 

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