Welding Certificate of Completion & AAS

Program Details Page Welding Certificate of Completion & AAS

Welcome to the Program Page dedicated to the Welding Certificate of Completion & AAS program! This page is designed to give an overview of what the quarter will look like based on the starting point in the year. Click on one of the desired tabs below to view the course schedule. This information may be subject to change at any time without notice. Please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses.

Bookstore Information

a picture of an open book Information regarding the materials can be found at the RTC bookstore Links to an external site.. Just fill in the course information and you will be set!

The bookstore has what you need in regards to materials so be sure to check it out! It is always better to be prepared than to wait last second to buy your materials!

General Overview

When can I start? Fall (September), Winter (January), Spring (April), or Summer (July)

How long is the program?

7 to 8 quarters (20 to 23 months) with 105 total credits for the Certificate of Completion
9 quarters (22 to 23 months) with 115 credits for the AAS degree in Welding

When do classes meet? Monday through Friday, five days per week. We offer welding classes in two time slots:

Daytime: 8 A.M. to 1 P.M.
Afternoon and Evenings: 3 P.M. to 8 P.M.

With the Welding Certificate of Completion, you are skilled in all of the following:

Basic welding techniques
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) on steel
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), also called MIG, on both aluminum and steel
and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

The program includes the multiple opportunities to earn certifications from WABO (Washington Association of Builders), which you will see in many welding job ads. You also complete career and academic support classes to give you all of the skills that employers want.

What does a welder do?

What is the average salary?

$58,010 annually (Links to an external site.) in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most welders earn at least $43,250; there is a wide salary range.

Who can I contact with questions?

New students, please visit our Zoom lobby Links to an external site. to talk with someone by video chat, or e-mail our advising department.
- You also can schedule a shop tour and information session Links to an external site. with our welding faculty!
For current students, please visit RTC's advising page (Links to an external site and look for the faculty counselor assigned to Welding. (Links to an external site.)

Overall Materials Needed:

Access to a functioning laptop or computer (you may use computers in the RTC Library or Learning Resource Center)
Working internet connection
Tools and materials ($850 plus cost of FCAW, GMAW, and GTAW supplies). Review the RTC welding tool list Download RTC welding tool list
.

Grade or GPA Requirements: To graduate, you must earn a minimum 2.0 grade in all of your certificate classes (COL, WELD, and WTD). You can earn a 1.0 or better in each of the General Education classes needed for the AAS degree.

Materials Warning

Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class. If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!

Mobile Browser Information

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Fall start

Quarter 1

[Fall] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,583**
You will learn welding fundamentals: different cuts and different joints on mild steel. You also learn shop safety, practical math, effective teamwork and problem-solving on the job.
**It's time to apply for your first certificate!** You complete the Welding Helper certificate this quarter.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COL 101	College Success	NO	2
WELD 101	Thermal Cutting	YES	3
WELD 102	Oxyacetylene Welding & Brazing	YES	7
WTD 109	Safety, Tool, and Equipment Certification	NO	3
WTD 168	Math for the Trades	NO	4

Quarter 2

[Winter] Quarter 2 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $3,316**
You will start SMAW techniques and welds. You will learn how to interpret blueprints and create welded products based on drawings and instructions.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 105	Shielded Metal Arc Welding I	YES	7
WELD 106	Shielded Metal Arc Welding II	YES	7
WELD 130	Blueprint Reading (only offered in winter)	NO	3
WELD 135	Welding Processes and Application (only offered in winter)	YES	3
WTD 180	Human Relations for the Trades	NO	2

Quarter 3

[Spring] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,685**
You continue developing SMAW skills with different welding rods, and you are introduced to GMAW techniques. In metallurgy, you study the properties of steel and potential weaknesses in plate or welds.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 138	Certification SMAW (repeatable as needed if trying to acquire WABO cert)	YES	7
WELD 110	Flux Cored Arc Welding	YES	7
WELD 136	Welding Metallurgy (only offered in spring)	YES	3
WTD 175	Communication for the Trades	NO	1

Quarter 4

[Summer] Quarter 4 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $893 for certificate (5 credits); $2,016 for degree (15 credits)**
You will learn GMAW (also called MIG) for aluminum, including spray arc and pulse spray arc techniques.
If you want to complete your associate degree, you should take a General Education social science class and a General Education communication or humanities class this quarter. If you have transfer credits, talk to your academic counselor about the classes you still might need for the degree.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 120	MIG Aluminum	YES	5
for AAS degree only	Gen Ed	varies by class	5
for AAS degree only CMST 280	Intercultural Communication (recommended) or another General Education communication or humanities class	varies by class	5

Quarter 5

[Fall] Quarter 5 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,479**
You will practice electrode welding processes, continue developing your GMAW skills, and take your next set of WABO certification exams. There is an exam fee.
**It's time to apply for your second** **certificate!** *You complete the Entry Welder certificate this quarter.*
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 104	Intro to Arc Welding	YES	3
WELD 111	Gas Metal Arc Welding	YES	7
WELD 140	Certification GMAW/FCAW	YES	6

Quarter 6

[Winter] Quarter 6 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,125**
This quarter focuses on GTAW.
**It's time to apply your** *third* certificate! *You complete the Certified Welder certificate this quarter.*
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 114	Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I	YES	7
WELD 115	Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II	YES	6

Quarter 7

[Spring] Quarter 7 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,012**
You will take two specialized welding classes.
Pipe welding is listed below, but you also can take **Welding Fabrication (WELD 144 + 145)** or **Robotics Welding (WELD 146 + 147)** instead.
**It's time to apply for your final credential!** You earn the Welding Certificate of Completion this quarter.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 142	Pipe Welding I	YES	6
WELD 143	Pipe Welding II	YES	6
for AAS degree only	Gen Ed	varies by class	5

Grand Total Estimate for Welding Certificate of Completion: $17,143 plus cost of FCAW, GMAW, GCAW, specialty welding supplies, and exam fees

Grand Total Estimate for Welding AAS Degree: $18,266 plus cost of FCAW, GMAW, GCAW, specialty welding supplies, and exam fees

Winter start

Quarter 1

[Winter] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,583**
You will learn welding fundamentals: different cuts and different joints on mild steel. You also learn shop safety, practical math, effective teamwork and problem-solving on the job.
**It's time to apply for your first certificate!** You complete the Welding Helper certificate this quarter.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COL 101	College Success	NO	2
WELD 101	Thermal Cutting	YES	3
WELD 102	Oxyacetylene Welding & Brazing	YES	7
WTD 109	Safety, Tool, and Equipment Certification	NO	3
WTD 168	Math for the Trades	NO	4

Quarter 2

[Spring] Quarter 2 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,813**
You will start SMAW techniques and welds. In metallurgy, you study the properties of steel and potential weaknesses in plate or welds.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 105	Shielded Metal Arc Welding I	YES	7
WELD 106	Shielded Metal Arc Welding II	YES	7
WELD 136	Welding Metallurgy (only offered in spring)	YES	3
WTD 180	Human Relations for the Trades	NO	2

Quarter 3

[Summer] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,244 for certificate, $1,837 for degree**
You continue developing SMAW skills with different welding rods.
If you want to complete your associate degree, you should take a General Education social science class this quarter. If you have transfer credits, talk to your academic counselor about the classes you still might need for the degree
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 138	Certification SMAW (repeatable as needed if trying to acquire WABO cert)	YES	7
for AAS degree only	Gen Ed	varies by class	5

Quarter 4

[Fall] Quarter 4 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,459**
You will learn GMAW (also called MIG) for aluminum, including spray arc and pulse spray arc techniques.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 104	Intro to Arc Welding	YES	3
WELD 110	Flux Cored Arc Welding	YES	7
WELD 120	MIG Aluminum	YES	5
WTD 175	Communication for the Trades	NO	1

Quarter 5

[Winter] Quarter 5 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $ 2,607**
You will learn GMAW skills and how to interpret blueprints and create welded products based on drawings and instructions. You take your next set of WABO certification exams. There is an exam fee.
**It's time to apply for your second** **and *third* certificates!** *You complete the Entry Welder certificate and the Certified Welder certificate this quarter.*
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 111	Gas Metal Arc Welding	YES	7
WELD 130	Blueprint Reading (only offered in winter)	NO	3
WELD 135	Welding Processes and Application (only offered in winter)	YES	3
WELD 140	Certification GMAW/FCAW	YES	6

Quarter 6

[Spring] Quarter 6 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,125**
This quarter focuses on GTAW.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 114	Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I	YES	7
WELD 115	Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II	YES	6

Quarter 7

[Summer] Quarter 7 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,068 for certificate, $1,724 for degree**
You will take your first specialized welding class.
If you want to complete your associate degree, you should take a General Education communication or humanities class this quarter. If you have transfer credits, talk to your academic counselor about the classes you still might need for the degree
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 142	Pipe Welding I	YES	6
for AAS degree only CMST& 220	Public Speaking (recommended) or another General Education communication or humanities class	varies by class	5

Quarter 8

[Fall] Quarter) 8 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,068**
You will take your second specialized welding class.
Pipe welding is listed below, but you also can take **Welding Fabrication (WELD 144 + 145)** or **Robotics Welding (WELD 146 + 147)** instead.

**It's time to apply for your final credential!** You earn the Welding Certificate of Completion this quarter.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 143	Pipe Welding II	YES	6
	OR
	WELD 144 - Fabrication I (and)		6
	WELD 145 - Fabrication II		6

Grand Total Estimate for Welding Certificate of Completion: $16,817 plus cost of FCAW, GMAW, GCAW, specialty welding supplies, and exam fees

Quarter 9

[Winter] Quarter 9 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,068**
You will take your second specialized welding class.

*You earn the Welding AAS degree this quarter!*
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
for AAS degree only	Gen Ed	varies by class	5
for AAS degree only	Gen Ed	varies by class	5

Grand Total Estimate for Welding AAS Degree: $18,066 plus cost of FCAW, GMAW, GCAW, specialty welding supplies, and exam fees

Spring start

Quarter 1

[Spring] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,583**
You will learn welding fundamentals: different cuts and different joints on mild steel. You also learn shop safety, practical math, effective teamwork and problem-solving on the job.
**It's time to apply for your first certificate!** You complete the Welding Helper certificate this quarter.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COL 101	College Success	NO	2
WELD 101	Thermal Cutting	YES	3
WELD 102	Oxyacetylene Welding & Brazing	YES	7
WTD 109	Safety, Tool, and Equipment Certification	NO	3
WTD 168	Math for the Trades	NO	4

Quarter 2

[Summer] Quarter 2 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,813**
You will start SMAW techniques and welds. In metallurgy, you study the properties of steel and potential weaknesses in plate or welds. If you want to complete your associate degree, you should take a General Education social science class this quarter. If you have transfer credits, talk to your academic counselor about the classes you still might need for the degree
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 105	Shielded Metal Arc Welding I	YES	7
for AAS degree only CMST& 220	Public Speaking (recommended) or another General Education communication or humanities class	varies by class	5

Quarter 3

[Fall] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,244 for certificate, $1,837 for degree**
You continue developing SMAW skills with different welding rods.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 104	Intro to Arc Welding	YES	3
WELD 138	Certification SMAW (repeatable as needed if trying to acquire WABO cert)	YES	7
WELD 106	Shielded Metal Arc Welding II	YES	7
WTD 180	Human Relations for the Trades	NO	2

Quarter 4

[Winter] Quarter 4 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,459**
You will learn GMAW (also called MIG) for aluminum, including spray arc and pulse spray arc techniques.
**It's time to apply for your second** **certificate!** *You complete the Entry Welder certificate this quarter.*
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 110	Flux Cored Arc Welding	YES	7
WELD 120	MIG Aluminum	YES	5
WELD 130	Blueprint Reading (only offered in winter)	NO	3
WELD 135	Welding Processes and Application (only offered in winter)	YES	3
WTD 175	Communication for the Trades	NO	1

Quarter 5

[Spring] Quarter 5 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $ 2,607**
You will learn GMAW skills and how to interpret blueprints and create welded products based on drawings and instructions. You take your next set of WABO certification exams. There is an exam fee.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 111	Gas Metal Arc Welding	YES	7
WELD 136	Welding Metallurgy (only offered in spring)	YES	3
WELD 140	Certification GMAW/FCAW	YES	6

Quarter 6

[Summer] Quarter 6 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,125**
This quarter focuses on GTAW. If you want to complete your associate degree, you should take a General Education social science class this quarter. If you have transfer credits, talk to your academic counselor about the classes you still might need for the degree
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 114	Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I	YES	7
for AAS degree only	Gen Ed	varies by class	5

Quarter 7

[Fall] Quarter 7 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,068 for certificate, $1,724 for degree**
You will take your first specialized welding class..
**It's time to apply for your** **third certificate!** *You complete the Certified Welder certificate this quarter.*
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 115	Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II	YES	7
WELD 142	Pipe Welding I	YES	6

Quarter 8

[Winter] Quarter 8 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,068**
You will take your second specialized welding class.
Pipe welding is listed below, but you also can take **Welding Fabrication (WELD 144 + 145)** or **Robotics Welding (WELD 146 + 147)** instead.

**It's time to apply for your final credential!** You earn the Welding Certificate of Completion this quarter.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 143	Pipe Welding II	YES	6
	OR
	WELD 144 - Fabrication I (and)		6
	WELD 145 - Fabrication II		6

Grand Total Estimate for Welding Certificate of Completion: $16,817 plus cost of FCAW, GMAW, GCAW, specialty welding supplies, and exam fees

Quarter 9

[Spring] Quarter 9 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,068**
You will take your second specialized welding class.
If you want to complete your associate degree, you should take a General Education social science class this quarter. If you have transfer credits, talk to your academic counselor about the classes you still might need for the degree.
*You earn the Welding AAS degree this quarter!*
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
for AAS degree only	Gen Ed	varies by class	5
for AAS degree only	Gen Ed	varies by class	5

Grand Total Estimate for Welding AAS Degree: $18,066 plus cost of FCAW, GMAW, GCAW, specialty welding supplies, and exam fees.

Summer start

Quarter 1

[Summer] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,583**
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COL 101	College Success	NO	2
WELD 102	Oxyacetylene Welding, Brazing	YES	7
for AAS degree only CMST& 220	Public Speaking (recommended) or another General Education communication or humanities class	varies by class	5

Quarter 2

[Fall] Quarter 2 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,813**
You will start SMAW techniques and welds. In metallurgy, you study the properties of steel and potential weaknesses in plate or welds. .
**It's time to apply for your first certificate!** You complete the Welding Helper certificate this quarter.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COL 101	College Success	NO	2
WELD 101	Thermal Cutting	YES	3
WELD 104	Intro to Arc Welding	YES	3
WTD 109	Safety, Tool, and Equipment Certification	NO	3
WELD 105	Shielded Metal Arc Welding I	YES	7

Quarter 3

[Winter] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,244 for certificate, $1,837 for degree**
You continue developing SMAW skills with different welding rods
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 138	Certification SMAW (repeatable as needed if trying to acquire WABO cert)	YES	7
WELD 130	Blueprint Reading (only offered in winter)	NO	3
WELD 135	Welding Processes and Application (only offered in winter)	YES	3
WTD 180	Human Relations for the Trades	NO	2

Quarter 4

[Spring] Quarter 4 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,459**
You will learn GMAW (also called MIG) for aluminum, including spray arc and pulse spray arc techniques.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 111	Gas Metal Arc Welding	YES	5
WELD 120	MIG Aluminum	YES	5
WELD 136	Welding Metallurgy (only offered in spring)	YES	3
WTD 175	Communication for the Trades	NO	1
WTD 168	Math for the Trades	NO	4

Quarter 5

[Summer] Quarter 5 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $ 2,607**
If you want to complete your associate degree, you should take a General Education social science class this quarter. If you have transfer credits, talk to your academic counselor about the classes you still might need for the degree
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 110	Flux Cored Arc Welding	YES	7
for AAS degree only	Gen Ed	varies by class	5

Quarter 6

[Fall] Quarter 6 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,125**
This quarter focuses on GTAW.
**It's time to apply for your second** **and *third* certificates!** *You complete the Entry Welder certificate and the Certified Welder certificate this quarter.*
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 106	Shielded Metal Arc Welding II	YES	7
WELD 140	Certification GMAW/FCAW	YES	6

Quarter 7

[Winter] Quarter 7 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,068 for certificate, $1,724 for degree**
You will take your first specialized welding class.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 114	Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I	YES	7
WELD 115	Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II	YES	6

Quarter 8

[Spring] Quarter 8 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,068**
You will take your second specialized welding class.
Pipe welding is listed below, but you also can take **Welding Fabrication (WELD 144 + 145)** or **Robotics Welding (WELD 146 + 147)** instead.

**It's time to apply for your final credential!** You earn the Welding Certificate of Completion this quarter.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
WELD 142	Pipe Welding I	YES	6
WELD 143	Pipe Welding II	YES	6

Grand Total Estimate for Welding Certificate of Completion: $16,817 plus cost of FCAW, GMAW, GCAW, specialty welding supplies, and exam fees

Quarter 9

[Summer] Quarter 9 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,068**
.If you want to complete your associate degree, you should take a General Education communication or humanities class this quarter. If you have transfer credits, talk to your academic counselor about the classes you still might need for the degree

**It's time to apply for your final credential!** You earn the Welding AAS degree this quarter.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
for AAS degree only	Gen Ed	varies by class	5
for AAS degree only	Gen Ed	varies by class	5

Grand Total Estimate for Welding AAS Degree: $18,066 plus cost of FCAW, GMAW, GCAW, specialty welding supplies, and exam fees

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