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Welding Technology WELT

Degree Type: Associate in Applied Science

Career Path: Engineering/Manufacturing and Industrial Technology

Required Courses		Credit Hours
General Education
ENGL 150	English 1	3
ENGL 250	English 2	3
MATH 116	Intermediate Algebra & Num Trig	4
Electives:	Cultural Enrichment	3
	Social Awareness	3
PHYS 211	Introductory Physics	4
Major
EEET 201	Electrical Fundamentals	3
MATL 240	Introduction to Material Science	4
MFGT 150	Manufacturing Processes	2
WELD 111	Welding Processes 1 Lecture	3
WELD 113	Welding Processes 1 Lab	4
WELD 112	Welding Graphics	3
WELD 121	Welding Processes 2 Lecture	3
WELD 123	Welding Processes 2 Lab	4
WELD 211	Welding Fabrication 1	5
WELD 212	Quality Testing	4
WELD 221	Welding Fabrication 2	4
WELD 222	Intro to Welding Automation	3
Minimum credit hours required for A.A.S. degree:		62

Why Choose Welding Technology?

Established in 1955, the Welding Technology program produces welding technicians and prepares students for admission into the bachelor of science program in Welding Engineering Technology. Students receive hands-on laboratory experience in welding processes, metallurgy, mechanical testing, inspection and fabrication of weldments. Graduates become technicians involved in testing and improving welding processes, procedures and equipment. Welding Technology graduates hold job titles as welding technicians, welding supervisors, inspectors and sales representatives.

Ferris provides several welding instructional areas including laboratories dedicated to inspection, mechanical testing, robotics, laser processing, resistance welding and material preparation/fabrication. In addition to core welding classes, courses in material science, computer aided design, electronics and machine tool disciplines are required and are taught by faculty specialists in those departments.

Enter a Great Profession

Due to the fact that welding is a basic element in the production of a vast array of items, jobs as welding technologists are abundant. The American Welding Society, an industry group, predicts that by 2010 demand for skilled welders may outstrip supply by about 200,000.

Welding technicians also select and maintain quality control procedures throughout the welding process, and perform destructive and non-destructive tests to ensure the quality and reliability of weldments.

The demand for skilled technicians will continue to grow as the use of automated systems in the metals fabrication industry increases. A wide variety of employment positions are found in the manufacturing and construction industries.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the College of Technology is open to high school graduates who demonstrate academic preparedness, maturity, and seriousness of purpose with backgrounds appropriate to thier chosen program of studies. Among first-time students in our technical programs, the average high school GPA is 2.8, and the average ACT composite score is 20.

Admission to the Welding Technology program is open to high school graduates who meet the College of Technology admission requirements, as well as non-graduates who demonstrate by other means that their backgrounds are appropriate to their chosen programs. No prior welding education or experience is required to enroll in the Welding Technology program. An ACT math sub score of 19 and English sub score of 14 are the minimum requirements to enroll in the technology course sequence. All students are expected to demonstrate maturity and seriousness of purpose to meet their goals.

Graduation Requirements

The Welding Technology program at Ferris leads to an associate in applied science degree. Graduation requires a minimum 2.0 GPA in core classes, in the major and overall. Students must complete all general education requirements as outlined on the General Education website.

More Information

Ferris State University
College of Technology
1009 Campus Drive - JOH 200
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Phone: 231-591-2890

Ferris State University
Department of Welding Engineering Technology
915 Campus Drive - SWN 108
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Phone: 231-591-2511
Email: weldingdepartment@ferris.edu