Houston Welding Schools with Program Information
There are seven schools within 50 miles of Houston that have welding programs. Read an overview of three schools' programs, requirements and admission info and find out which school is the right one for you.
Comparison of Welding School Options in Houston
Students seeking training in welding have several options in the Houston, Texas, area. The largest institution in the area, Lone Star College System, offers certificates in various welding specializations and an associate's degree program. Houston Community College is the closest school to downtown Houston, and it has a welding technology certificate program with specialization options in MIG, TIG and pipe welding. San Jacinto Community College in Pasadena awards certificates in welding, as well as associate's degrees in welding technology.
| Lone Star College Systems | Houston Community College | San Jacinto Community College | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welding Programs Offered | Certificate in Shielded Metal Arc Welding Certificate Gas Metal Arc Welding Certificate in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Certificate in Layout and Fabrication Welding Certificate in Pipe Welding Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology | Certificate in Basic Welding Helper Certificate in Basic Welding Certificate in Welding | Certificate in Gas Shielded Arc Welding Certificate in Combination Welding Certificate in Art Welding Certificate in Stick Pipe Welding Certificate in Structural Welding Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology |
| School Type | 2-year; public | 2-year; public | 2-year; public |
| Total Enrollment (2011) | 63,029* | 63,015* | 29,392* |
| Campus Setting | Small suburb | Large city | Large suburb |
| Tuition & Fees 2011-2012 | $1,408 in-district, $3,088 in-state; $3,448 out-of-state* | $1,625 in-district, $3,233 in-state, $3,629 out-of-state* | $1,182 in-district; $1,782 in-state; $2,982 out-of-state* |
| % of First-Year Students Receiving Some Form of Financial Aid (2011) | 56%* | 67%* | 54%* |
| Acceptance Rate (2011) | N/A - Open admissions | N/A - Open admissions | N/A - Open admissions |
| Retention Rate (2011) | 69% for full-time students* | 69% for full-time students* | 66% for full-time students* |
| Graduation Rate (2011) | 10% (24% transfer-out rate)* | 14% (26% transfer-out rate)* | 11% (27% transfer-out rate)* |
| Relevant Facilities | None | Welding facilities includes 68 booths and 1,500 square feet of computer lab space | Largest, most well-equipped welding training facilities in the region |
| Noteworthy | Largest learning institution in the Houston area | More international students than any other community college in the nation | San Jacinto Community College offers an art welding certificate program, in addition to more traditional welding programs |
| Distance from Downtown | 32.7 mi (37 min.) | 6.9 mi. (10 min) | 23.2 mi. (29 min.) |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
Welding Programs at Lone Star College System
Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school offers certificate programs and an associate's degree program in welding designed to prepare students for entry into careers in the welding industry.
Certificate in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
Sixteen credits of welding coursework are required to earn this certificate. Students study blueprint reading and welding fundamentals. At the conclusion of the program, individuals possess a strong knowledge of SMAW and are considered qualified to work in the field.
Certificate in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
This certificate program is designed to prepare students to entry-level employment in the welding industry. Students learn the basics of welding for structural plates and pipes. A total of 16 credits is required.
Certificate in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
Students in this program learn about the fundamentals of gas tungsten arc welding. Coursework includes blueprint reading and advanced welding. Successful completion of 16 credits is necessary to earn this certificate.
Certificate in Layout and Fabrication Welding
Elementary, immediate and advanced layout and fabrication welding courses are required to earn this specialized certificate. Blueprint study is also included in the 16 total credits of this program. Students must hold the SMAW, GMAW or GTAW certificate before enrolling in this program.
Certificate in Pipe Welding
Students who wish to focus on pipe welding may choose to pursue this certificate. Required coursework includes welding fundamentals and layout and fabrication. Successful completion of the SMAW, GMAW or GTAW certificate is required to earn the certificate in pipe welding.
Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology
Lone Star College System also offers an associate's degree program in welding technology to give students a broad foundation of knowledge in SMAW, GMAW and GTAW processes. Credits earned during certificate programs at the school may be applied toward the completion of the associate's degree program. The program typically takes two years to complete, and coursework includes chemistry, technical calculation and pipe welding. Students must also complete general education courses in social science and physical education.
Welding Programs at Houston Community College
Houston Community College provides the required training to either immediately enter the workforce or continue on to a 4-year school. Instructors of the welding program are certified by the American Welding Society (AWS).
Certificate in Basic Welding Helper
The basic welding helper certificate requires students to complete 18 credits. The program provides an introduction to welding techniques for individuals who wish to enter the workforce as helpers to experienced welders. Coursework includes critical-thinking, welding fundamentals and oxy-fueled welding and cutting.
Certificate in Basic Welding
Through 26 credits of coursework, students are given the rudiments of welding in this certificate program. Participants in this program are introduced to various types of bonding, such as shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). Rules of safety and welding codes are also covered.
Certificate in Welding
Students in the certificate program in welding have the option to select one of three specializations: MIG, TIG or pipe welding. In addition to learning the basics of welding, students in the MIG specialization focus on the elements of metal inert gas welding. Topics include blueprints and gas metal arc welding. For the pipe welding specialization, students who have already attained the fundamentals of welding can begin to learn how to weld pipe using SMAW. This program also includes lessons on electrodes and the various angles of welding. Students in the TIG focused certificate program study the basics of welding and learn tungsten inert gas welding. Fabrication and layout are also explored. All three of these specializations require the completion of 38 credits.
San Jacinto Community College's Welding Programs
San Jacinto Community College (SJCC) has a wide selection of certificate and associate's degree programs. Program options at SJCC include gas shielded arc welding and welding technology.
Certificate in Gas Shielded Arc Welding
Enrollees in this 24-credit program focus on a variety of bonding methods that utilize shield metal arc welding (SMAW). Topics consist of safety issues, joint designs and power sources.
Certificate in Combination Welding
This discipline covers an assortment of welding procedures, such as GTAW, SMAW and pipe welding. Various types of cutting and joint designs are also incorporated into this 30-credit program. Courses taken in this program can be applied to the associate's degree program at SJCC.
Certificate in Art Welding
Rather than focusing on industrial welding, this program instructs students on the artistic and creative applications of welding. Students create original artwork in the form of sculptures, metal ornamentation for barbecue pits and more. Coursework covers welding, soldering and brazing.
Certificate in Stick Pipe Welding
This certificate program functions as an introduction to the SMAW technique of pipe welding. Student must successfully complete four courses in intermediate and advanced pipe welding techniques. Credits earned in the program may be applied toward the combination welding certificate or associate's degree at SJCC.
Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology
The AAS curriculum includes general education courses such as humanities, composition and mathematics, in addition to courses within the welding curriculum. Students take classes from among core disciplines of SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, pipe welding and welding with stainless steel. Students must complete a total of 62 credits.
Other School Options
Located a little more than 40 miles away from Houston is Wharton County Junior College, which offers a welding technology program in its Division of Vocational Science. Lee College, located about 40 miles away in Baytown, TX, also offers a welding technology program.
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National Schools:
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School locations:
- Michigan campus Big Rapids
Areas of study you may find at Ferris State University include:
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- Graduate: First Professional Degree, Master
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Areas of study you may find at Pearl River Community College include:
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- Non-Degree: Coursework, Diploma
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Areas of study you may find at The University of Montana include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
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School locations:
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Areas of study you may find at Nashville State Technical Community College include:
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- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
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Areas of study you may find at Northern Michigan University include:
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- Graduate: Master
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Areas of study you may find at University of Alaska include:
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- Graduate: Master
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- Heavy Equipment Maintenance
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Areas of study you may find at Dunwoody College of Technology include:
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- Precision Metal Working
- Machinist
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School locations:
- Wisconsin campus Milwaukee
Areas of study you may find at Milwaukee Area Technical College include:
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- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Undergraduate: Associate
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Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
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