Welding Technology

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Gain versatile career training at Ozarks Tech! This hands-on program trains you for jobs in the local welding industry. You learn how to join metal parts and polish surfaces using specialized tools. Our programs allow you to choose from a focus area in the industry. One pathway focuses on stainless steel and aluminum the other on carbon steel. Learn how to complete various welding processes, including:

  • Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
  • Gas Metal Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

You will also gain skills in safety gear use, blueprint reading and job searching.

The A.A.S. degree builds on welding certificate courses or the Industrial Welding Specialist Program. Graduates find jobs in metal finishing companies, manufacturers, fabricators and other industries.

The Springfield campus lab holds certification from the American Welding Society (AWS).

Landon Vinson
Industrial & Manufacturing Department Chair
417-447-6615

Visit Department

Accreditation

The Springfield campus lab holds certification from the American Welding Society (AWS).

OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our current accreditation status with the HLC is displayed on the page linked below. Our next comprehensive evaluation will be in 2030-2031. View more information on OTC accreditation.

Program Outcomes

View program outcomes

General Admissions to Ozarks Tech

Admission to Ozarks Technical Community College is open to all individuals who can benefit from its educational programs. A focus of the college mission is on the academic, career and personal goals of the student. OTC may admit you as a First-Time student just completing their high school, GED or HiSET requirements or as a Transfer student coming from another institution finishing up a certificate or degree. For more information, visit OTC Admissions.

Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? At OTC, we believe that cost shouldn’t be a barrier to earning a degree. Our staff will work with you to make a financial plan. To browse the resources available to you, see paying for college.

At Ozarks Tech, we want your transfer process to be easy. We accomplish this goal through articulation agreements. These agreements are an official partnership to match coursework between schools. This gives you a more seamless transition from Ozarks Tech to a four-year institution.

We have established an agreement for this program. This will simplify the transfer of your credits to partner schools. To understand how this degree will transfer, review the current articulation agreements. Be sure to consult with your transfer school to ensure you’re on the right path toward completing your four-year degree.

APPLY NOW
COSTS & OPTIONS
PROGRAM DETAILS
REQUEST INFO
VISIT DEPARTMENT
BACK TO ALL PROGRAMS

COSTS & OPTIONS

Not Sure Which Career is Right for You?

TAKE A CAREER ASSESSMENT TEST

PROGRAM DETAILS

Clicking on the options below will provide overview information, course sequences (when applicable), and specific course descriptions. To see a full catalog of all the offerings at OTC, visit catalog.otc.edu.

Welding Technology - Stainless (A.A.S.)

 A.A.S. Degree: 63 Hours

This hands-on program provides skills-based instruction needed to secure jobs in the local stainless steel and aluminum welding industry. Coursework provides fundamental instruction in the major welding processes including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) along with training in safety, blueprint reading, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting and carbon arc cutting.  Advanced welding classes will focus on GMAW and GTAW welding skills along with fabrication and finishing techniques to prepare the graduate for testing and certification for local stainless and aluminum fabrication shops.  The Associate of Applied Science degree builds upon either the certificate welding courses or the WLD 230 Industrial Welding Specialist (20-week welding) program through additional instruction in welding inspection, advanced project construction, and general education classes.  The lab facility at the Springfield campus is a certified Accredited Testing Facility by the American Welding Society (AWS) https://www.aws.org/, 8669 NW 36 Street #130, Miami, FL 33166-6672, (800) 443-9353.

The Missouri Department of Higher Education has identified a common set of general education courses that have been adopted statewide. These courses are called the "CORE 42."  CORE 42 courses are guaranteed to transfer to any Missouri public college or university to satisfy general education requirements.

Courses in knowledge areas below, designated with the CORE 42 logo indicates courses in that area have been evaluated and provided a MOTR number for transfer to all Missouri public institutions of higher education.

Courses that do not have this designation may still transfer to public and private colleges and universities in Missouri and elsewhere, but students are encouraged to check the transfer equivalency website of the institution to which they plan to transfer to confirm.

Please refer to the MDHE Core Transfer Curriculum for detailed information on CORE 42 courses.

Welding Technology - Stainless Certificate

Certificate: 32 Hours

This hands-on program provides skills-based instruction needed to secure jobs in the local stainless steel and aluminum welding industry. Coursework provides fundamental instruction in the major welding processes including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) along with training in safety, blueprint reading, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting and carbon arc cutting.  Advanced welding classes will focus on GMAW and GTAW welding skills along with fabrication and finishing techniques to prepare the graduate for testing and certification for local stainless and aluminum fabrication shops.  For an expedited path to employment, students may also complete the WLD 230 Industrial Welding Specialist 20-week welding program.  The lab facility at the Springfield campus is a certified Accredited Testing Facility by the American Welding Society (AWS) https://www.aws.org/, 8669 NW 36 Street #130, Miami, FL 33166-6672, (800) 443-9353.

Welding Technology - Structural (A.A.S.)

A.A.S.Degree - 63 Hours

This hands-on program provides skills-based instruction needed to secure jobs in the local carbon steel industry. Coursework provides fundamental instruction in the major welding processes including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) along with training in safety, blueprint reading, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting and carbon arc cutting and gouging.  Advanced welding classes will focus on SMAW and GMAW welding skills along with fabrication techniques to prepare the graduate for testing and certification for local carbon steel shops.  The Associate of Applied Science degree builds upon the certificate welding courses through additional instruction in welding inspection, advanced project construction, and general education classes.  The lab facility at the Springfield campus is a certified Accredited Testing Facility by the American Welding Society (AWS) https://www.aws.org/, 8669 NW 36 Street #130, Miami, FL 33166-6672, (800) 443-9353.

The Missouri Department of Higher Education has identified a common set of general education courses that have been adopted statewide. These courses are called the "CORE 42."  CORE 42 courses are guaranteed to transfer to any Missouri public college or university to satisfy general education requirements.

Courses in knowledge areas below, designated with the CORE 42 logo indicates courses in that area have been evaluated and provided a MOTR number for transfer to all Missouri public institutions of higher education.

Courses that do not have this designation may still transfer to public and private colleges and universities in Missouri and elsewhere, but students are encouraged to check the transfer equivalency website of the institution to which they plan to transfer to confirm.

Please refer to the MDHE Core Transfer Curriculum for detailed information on CORE 42 courses.

Welding Technology - Structural Certificate

Certificate: 32 Hours

This hands-on program provides skills-based instruction needed to secure jobs in the local carbon steel industry. Coursework provides fundamental instruction in the major welding processes including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) along with training in safety, blueprint reading, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting and carbon arc cutting and gouging.  Advanced welding classes will focus on SMAW and GMAW welding skills along with fabrication techniques to prepare the graduate for testing and certification for local carbon steel shops.  The lab facility at the Springfield campus is a certified Accredited Testing Facility by the American Welding Society (AWS) https://www.aws.org/, 8669 NW 36 Street #130, Miami, FL 33166-6672, (800) 443-9353.

Welding - Industrial Welding Specialist

Certificate: 34 Credit Hours

This 20-week, hands-on program provides skills-based instruction needed to secure jobs in the local stainless steel and aluminum welding industry. Coursework provides fundamental instruction in the major welding processes including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) along with training in safety, blueprint reading, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting and carbon arc cutting.  Advanced welding classes will focus on GMAW and GTAW welding skills along with fabrication and finishing techniques to prepare the graduate for testing and certification for local stainless and aluminum fabrication shops.  The lab facility at the Springfield campus is a certified Accredited Testing Facility by the American Welding Society (AWS) https://www.aws.org/, 8669 NW 36 Street #130, Miami, FL 33166-6672, (800) 443-9353.

 

VIEW SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCES

REQUEST INFORMATION

*Notices and Disclaimers

*Costs displayed are based on current tuition and fee rates for the program’s required credit hours, as approved by the OTC Board of Trustees, and are subject to change without notice. Estimates reflect both in-district and out-of-district residency rates. Actual costs, degree completion time, and credit requirements may vary based on residency, prior credits, elective courses, program updates, and enrollment factors. For additional information on attendance costs, visit Cost of Attendance, tuition and fees or contact us at 417-447-6900.

**Graduation rates vary by individual. For details on program enrollment, retention, exam/certification, and employment rates, visit Student Outcomes / Student Right-to-Know. Some careers on this list may require additional education and training. For program-specific accreditation visit OTC Accreditation.