Program Costs*
Welding Technology
Our 1 p.m. Tuesday Campus Visits have gone virtual! Learn more and RSVP here.
| Awards | Credits | Delivery ( COVID delivery changes) |
|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology - Diploma | 36 cr. | On Campus |
| Program Datasheet: Download the Welding Technology Datasheet | ||
The Welding Program offers a variety of training in different welding processes specific to our trade. Students will gain knowledge through theory in class and hands on experience in the welding lab. The major topics and welding processes will be covered in this nine-month course to ready the student for entry level positions in the industry. Subjects that are covered include: Shielded Metal Arc, Gas Metal Arc, Flux Cored Arc, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Processes Oxy/Fuel, Plasma Arc, Carbon Air Arc Cutting and Gouging Processes. Students will work with a variety of metals which include: steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Shop Fabrication, Blueprint Reading, Math, Visual Inspection, and Safety are covered in the curriculum.
This program offers Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Seek credit for life experience to accelerate your progress toward a degree, diploma, or certificate. Visit the Credit for Prior Learning page to learn more.
| Welding Technology Diploma • 36 credits |
|
|---|---|
| Tuition | $184/cr. |
| Fees | $21.45/cr. |
| Tools/Equipment | $800 |
| Textbooks | $175 |
| Grand Total | $8,371.20 |
Each year, Dakota County Technical College and the DCTC Foundation make more than $200,000 in scholarships available to our students. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.
Students looking for ways to help finance their college education can find part-time jobs on campus with various DCTC departments and programs. Deliver your completed Work-Study Application to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and search for openings at College Central Network Services. For more information, you can review Work Study Procedure.
Step 1: Apply now for financial aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
DCTC's Federal School Code: 010402
Step 2: After receiving an official award letter from DCTC, you may apply online for a Federal Stafford Student Loan. Visit the Loans page for more information.
Welders with the ability to fabricate and weld metal products from blueprints are in great demand in a wide range of industries. Working careers in industry consist of three major areas: Manufacturing, Construction, and Repair.
According to CAREERwise Education, Minnesota's career, education and job resource, employment for welders is expected to grow 18 percent in Minnesota by the year 2020. CAREERwise: "There will be a need for about 3,490 new Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers to meet market demand between 2010-2020. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth."
Articulation Agreements are formal agreements between two or more colleges and/or universities to accept credits in transfer toward a specific academic program. DCTC has articulation agreements in place with a number of public and private colleges and universities.
MN Transfer.org is your official guide to a seamless transfer experience in Minnesota Higher Education. Use this resource to find agreements that DCTC has entered with other Minnesota State institutions.
Do you want to see how your courses transfer to programs at participating colleges and universities? Add the coursework you've taken and use Transferology to find out how it might transfer to any of the participating schools in the Transferology network. Get an account and create a plan now!
Whether you're a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or an international student or transferring from high school or a four-year university, DCTC will help you through the process. Visit our Transfer Students page for more information.
The Welding Technology program at DCTC is active throughout the year and makes headlines in college publications. Read about student field trips and competitions as well as the accomplishments of our welding technology instructors.
As a student in DCTC's Welding Technology program, you have many opportunities to make connections in the welding industry through your involvement in professional clubs and organizations.
DCTC features active, industry-relevant clubs for Welding Technology students right on campus. Getting involved in these clubs allows you to make the most of your college experience and gives you an edge when seeking employment. The following clubs are open to all welding students:
SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization for students at community and technical colleges across the U.S. The organization focuses on students in academic programs that lead to careers in the trade, industrial, technical and health care fields. Nearly 100 SkillsUSA competitions at the state and national levels relate to leadership skills or programs of study at DCTC.
In 2013, DCTC fielded 17 students at the nationals who ranked in the top 15 in the nation. For more information about the competition, read "DCTC Students Rock at SkillsUSA Nationals" on DCTC News.
