Led by American Welding Society certified instructors, the Welding Technology program provides interactive, hands-on instruction on state-of-the-art welding techniques. Real-life experience and working conditions emphasize industrial welding knowledge and skills for welding processes and automated welding.
The instructors in FHTC's welding program aren’t just here to teach, they’re inclusive, encouraging and prepared me to be successful in my career.
Alain
Program Options
Welding Technology offers a technical certificate and associate of applied science degree option. High school seniors and juniors are also eligible to apply to this program.
The technical certificate is a one-year program. The technical certificate emphasizes industrial welding knowledge and skills for entry-level welding processes in SMAW Shielded Metal Arc Welding, GMAW Gas Metal Arc Welding, GTAW Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, and FCAW Flux Cored Arc Welding, with an emphasis in structural steel welding. Graduates seeking to continue their education can transfer certificate courses to the Welding Technology AAS degree program.
The associate of applied science degree, with a major in Welding Technology, is a two-year program that contains technical and general education courses. The AAS degree option focuses on the advanced technical knowledge and skills for power plant and refinery construction/repair and on entry-level automated welding.
Associates Degree – Degree Map
Technical Certificate – Degree Map
Career Opportunities
Opportunities in the welding field are endless and can be extremely rewarding – and because it is widely used in construction, manufacturing, and many other industries, employers have a constant need for skilled welders. Because of its strength, welding is used in shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing and repair, aerospace applications, and thousands of other manufacturing activities. Welding also is used to join beams when constructing buildings, bridges, and other structures, and to join pipes in pipelines, power plants, and refineries. Other applications include the manufacturing of small electronic devices, medical components, and nanotechnology – the latest development to revolutionize the world of materials.
Career opportunities include:
- Manufacturing
- Automotive Assembly
- Construction
- Power Plants
- Aerospace Applications
Program Faculty
Wyatt Cortner
Welding Technology Instructor
Brice Dallke
Welding Technology Instructor
Corryn Cortner
Welding Technology Instructor
Academic Partnership
FHTC students who complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology may be eligible to utilize a 2+2 agreement with the following institutions to further their education.
Fort Hays State University: Bachelor of Technology Leadership
Kansas State University: Bachelor of Science in Technology Management
Pittsburg State University: Bachelor of Applied Science
Washburn University: Bachelor of Applied Science
Program Information & Resources
Estimated program costs and testing criteria are available in the documents below. Visit our admissions page to learn about admissions steps and other helpful information.