16 Credits CERT3660/CERT2460, Academic Catalog 2025-2026
The Welding Program at South Central College is designed to help you quickly develop technical knowledge and hands-on skills for a high demand job. You have the option to complete the full 16-credit program or take any individual class through the Center for Workforce Education (southcentral.edu/cwe). With these options, novices and advanced level students can benefit from the program.
Campuses: Faribault and North Mankato
Program Start Semesters: Fall and Spring
Base estimate for 16 credit program
Tuition is paid on a semester by semester basis and will vary depending on the courses and total credits you take.
Tuition and Fees: $3,431
Tools and Equipment: $100 - $300
Total Estimated Cost: $3,531 - $3,731 *
Compare the costs and you'll see that tuition at South Central College is much more affordable than other institutions.
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition and fees rates. Does not include extra expenses for online delivery, course fees, or course differential. Books, transportation, and living expenses also not included.
The course requirements listed below are specific to the current school year (noted above). If you need to view the program from previous years view our Catalog Archive.
Required Technical Courses (7 Courses)
Complete all of the following courses:
WELD1007 Blueprint Reading for Welding (2 credits)
This course will expand on basic blueprint reading by utilizing skills and knowledge about symbols, charts, and measurements to work more closely with blueprints specific to Welding. (Prerequisite: None)
WELD1011 Welding Safety (1 credits)
Topics in this course include the basics of welding safety including proper equipment use and maintenance, machine guarding, bloodborne pathogens, safety and health programs, and overall welding safety. (Prerequisite: None)
WELD1025 Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) (1 credits)
This course will provide an introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) on carbon steel in various positions along with an introduction to welding safety, welding, and electrode compatability. Components of SMAW will be introduced, including selection of materials and steps necessary to complete tasks. Basic information about duty cycle, cable sizing, arc blow, and electrodes will also be presented. (Prerequisite: None)
WELD1035 Introduction to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) (2 credits)
The course will cover gas metal arc welding process using short circuit and spray methods on carbon steel. (Prerequisites: None)
WELD1045 Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (3 credits)
This course is designed to instruct welders in welding safety and the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding process (GTAW-TIG). The student will learn fundamentals of GTAW (TIG) for steel, stainless steel and aluminum. Welding procedures are taught on aluminum, carbon and stainless steels. The training covers edge, corner, lap, and fillet welds in all positions. Welding is limited to regular thin flat material, which does not include thick plate, pipe or other irregular shapes. (Prerequisites: None)
WELD1055 Cutting and Brazing (3 credits)
An introduction to oxy-fuel welding and cutting, safety, setup and maintenance of oxy-fuel welding, and cutting equipment and supplies. The course will demonstrate oxy-fuel welding and cutting safety procedures; identify and classify fuels and filler metals; perform entry-level oxy-fuel welding and cutting operations and select proper equipment and materials. A study of all position welding on ferrous and nonferrous metals using oxy-fuel welding process, including welding and cutting, brazing, and soldering operations. (Prerequisite: None)
WELD1075 Advanced Welding Lab (4 credits)
Advanced welding lab is a course designed to allow students to utilize all of their skills with capstone project based assignments that prepares students to get their American Welding Society credentials. Students can also focus on a particular skills of choice. (Corequisite: WELD 1011)
PLEASE NOTE: All program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.
