Welding
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Welding prepares students to work in industry using Oxy-Fuel welding and cutting (OFW) (OFC) and Shielded Metal Arc welding (SMAW) processes. This degree emphasizes the knowledge and skills required to work with modern industrial welding equipment using advanced welding techniques including Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). This degree also provides students with the opportunity to complete at least three of the following certificates: Welding: Gas Metal / Flux Cored Arc Welding (GMAW)/(FCAW), Welding: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Ferrous, Welding: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Non-Ferrous, Welding: Shielded Metal Arc welding (SMAW) Plate, and Welding: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Pipe.
Details
Field of Interest
Applied Technology
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Welding (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3244
Total credits required
61-69
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2022
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
What You'll Learn
- Adhere to industry safety regulations applicable to welding environments.
- Demonstrate proficient use of machines, tools and equipment in the welding environment.
- Prepare various types of weld joints per industry standards, using appropriate welding and cutting processes and procedures.
- Perform various types of welds on industry standard joint types in all positions, using appropriate welding and cutting processes and procedures.
- Evaluate quality control standards and practices applied in welding inspection in the welding industry.
- Analyze technical documentation to make informed decisions in welding processes.
- Apply mathematical and logical reasoning to the welding and fabrication processes.
- Analyze the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of materials to perform welding and fabrication procedures.
- Demonstrate quality workmanship in a timely manner.
- Demonstrate professionalism with conduct, ethics, and workplace practices.
- Effectively communicate verbally, non-verbally and in writing with diverse audiences in various workplace environments.
- Evaluate challenges and employment opportunities within the field of welding.
- Identify opportunities to expand knowledge, skills, and abilities within the field of welding.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career statistics
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
$48,520 Show expanded career information for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WLD101 | Welding I | Gateway course OR Permission of Program Director | 0–3 | ||
| WLD106AA | Introduction to SMAW | Critical course | 5 | ||
| WLD103 or WLD150 or WLD215 or WLD225 |
Basic Blacksmithing and Metal Shaping or Welding Blueprint Reading or Welding Fabrication or Welding Inspection and Quality Control | 3 | |||
| GTC107 | Technical Mathematics I | OR Satisfactory score on math placement test. GTC107 is only needed if intending to take GTC108 to fulfill the math requirement. | 0–3 | ||
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WLD106AB or WLD106AC or WLD206AA |
SMAW 6010 Plate or SMAW 7018 Plate or Introduction to GMAW/FCAW and GTAW | 5 | |||
| WLD103 or WLD150 or WLD215 or WLD225 |
Basic Blacksmithing and Metal Shaping or Welding Blueprint Reading or Welding Fabrication or Welding Inspection and Quality Control | 3 | |||
| GTC108 or MAT14+ |
Technical Mathematics II or College Mathematics | Critical course OR Any higher level mathematics course | None or MA | 3–6 | |
| ENG102 or ENG108 or ENG111 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL or Technical and Professional Writing | FYC or FYC or L | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WLD103 or WLD150 or WLD215 or WLD225 |
Basic Blacksmithing and Metal Shaping or Welding Blueprint Reading or Welding Fabrication or Welding Inspection and Quality Control | 3 | |||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 5 | |||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | ||
| SG or SQ |
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative | Recommend CHM130 AND CHM130LL OR CHM130AA | SG or SQ | 4 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RE | Restricted Electives | 5 | |||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 5–6 | |||
| SB | Social & Behavioral Sciences | SB | 3 | ||
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | HU | 3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WLD101 | Welding I | Gateway course OR Permission of Program Director | 0–3 | ||
| WLD106AA | Introduction to SMAW | Critical course | 5 | ||
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTC107 | Technical Mathematics I | OR Satisfactory score on math placement test. GTC107 is only needed if intending to take GTC108 to fulfill the math requirement. | 0–3 | ||
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
| WLD106AB or WLD106AC or WLD206AA |
SMAW 6010 Plate or SMAW 7018 Plate or Introduction to GMAW/FCAW and GTAW | 5 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTC108 or MAT14+ |
Technical Mathematics II or College Mathematics | Critical course OR Any higher level mathematics course | None or MA | 3–6 | |
| WLD103 or WLD150 or WLD215 or WLD225 |
Basic Blacksmithing and Metal Shaping or Welding Blueprint Reading or Welding Fabrication or Welding Inspection and Quality Control | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG102 or ENG108 or ENG111 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL or Technical and Professional Writing | FYC or FYC or L | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 5 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WLD103 or WLD150 or WLD215 or WLD225 |
Basic Blacksmithing and Metal Shaping or Welding Blueprint Reading or Welding Fabrication or Welding Inspection and Quality Control | 3 | |||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 5 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RE | Restricted Electives | 5–6 | |||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 |
Term 7
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WLD103 or WLD150 or WLD215 or WLD225 |
Basic Blacksmithing and Metal Shaping or Welding Blueprint Reading or Welding Fabrication or Welding Inspection and Quality Control | 3 | |||
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 |
Term 8
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG or SQ |
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative | Recommend CHM130 AND CHM130LL OR CHM130AA | SG or SQ | 4 | |
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | HU | 3 |
Term 9
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB | Social & Behavioral Sciences | SB | 3 |
Footnote
Restricted Electives
Select 15 to 16 credits in consultation with a Program and/or Academic Advisor to further develop skills in the specialization areas shown below. WLD106AB, WLD106AC, WLD206AA may be selected as Restricted Electives if not used to satisfy Required Courses.
Gas Metal / Flux Cored Arc Welding (GMAW)/(FCAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
WLD206AA Introduction to GMAW/FCAW and GTAW 5
WLD206AB Advanced GMAW and FCAW 5
WLD206AC Advanced GTAW Non-Ferrous 5
WLD206AD Advanced GTAW Ferrous 5
WLD208AB GMAW Code Welding 5
WLD208AC FCAW Code Welding 5
WLD296WA Cooperative Education (1) OR
WLD296WB Cooperative Education (2) OR
WLD296WC Cooperative Education (3) OR
WLD296WD Cooperative Education (4) (1-4)
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Plate
WLD106AC SMAW 7018 Plate 5
WLD208AA SMAW Code Welding 5
WLD296WA Cooperative Education (1) OR
WLD296WB Cooperative Education (2) OR
WLD296WC Cooperative Education (3) OR
WLD296WD Cooperative Education (4) (1-4)
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Pipe
WLD106AB SMAW 6010 Plate 5
WLD106AD SMAW Introduction to Pipe 5
WLD208AA SMAW Code Welding 5
WLD208AD SMAW Code Welding Pipe 5
WLD296WA Cooperative Education (1) OR
WLD296WB Cooperative Education (2) OR
WLD296WC Cooperative Education (3) OR
WLD296WD Cooperative Education (4) (1-4)
Computer Aided Design
MPT150 Introduction to SolidWorks 3
DFT105AA Computer Aided Drafting I: AutoCAD 3
WLD296WA Cooperative Education (1) OR
WLD296WB Cooperative Education (2) OR
WLD296WC Cooperative Education (3) OR
WLD296WD Cooperative Education (4) (1-4)
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- FYC = First Year Composition
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=171674).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Welding