Welding Technology

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Certificate of Completion

(575) 527-7593, 528-7018 or 527-7597

Welders are in greater demand today than at any time during the past 30 years, and the job outlook is expected to remain excellent throughout the foreseeable future. They are needed in energy exploration and production and are required in virtually every field or industry that uses parts made of metal.

Simply stated, welders are people who join metals such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, gold, silver, brass, bronze, copper, and nickel. Welding processes vary depending on the application. Extremely delicate and precise items, such as aerospace components and jewelry, may be welded using electron beams, lasers, and plasma, while huge structures for buildings and bridges are typically welded using submerged arc and electro-slag. Welding may take place in almost any setting: in a laboratory, out-of-doors, or even underwater, as in the case of offshore, oil-and-gas platform construction.

According to the US Department of Labor, the job prospects for welders are excellent, with projected job growth in New Mexico estimated at 25.5 percent over the next six years, and 5 percent nationally through 2014, translating to 264,000 additional jobs. Increases in welder wages have kept pace with or exceeded those of
other occupations since 2002.

The DACC Welding Technology program is nationally accredited by the American Welding Society (AWS), and is taught by nationally qualified instructors. Together, DACC welding instructors have more than 100 years of experience and more than 90 AWS/ASME national welder certifications on five welding processes.

The program is competency-based, consisting of lectures and hands-on laboratory exercises. Students learn to weld steels, stainless steels, and aluminum alloy plate and pipe with five welding processes. They also learn basic fabrication skills, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma cutting, and air-carbon arc cutting.

Students are eligible to join SkillsUSA, an organization for high school and postsecondary students that promotes leadership and sponsors skills and leadership competitions at the state and national levels. In addition, students may become members of the American Welding Society (AWS) and participate in the activities of the new AWS El Paso Section.

All students who complete the certificate or associate degree will graduate as certified welders in one or more welding processes on steel, stainless steel, and/or aluminum. (It is important to note that, although some local welding jobs may not currently require certification, nearly all welding jobs nationwide do require it.)

Since the technical requirements for the certificate are the same as those for the associate degree, a student may complete the certificate program first and then later apply all the credits earned in the certificate program toward the associate degree. This associate degree then may be applied in its entirety toward the bachelor of applied studies degree offered by NMSU. Alternatively, those planning to teach at the secondary level may apply up to 36 credits earned in the Welding Technology associate degree program toward a bachelor of science degree in Agricultural and Extension Education.

To enter the Welding Technology program, a high school diploma or GED is required, along with good overall health, eyesight, and hand-eye coordination. Students must purchase tools and personal safety equipment, usually costing about $1000.

Associate Degree (66 credits)

Students must receive a final grade of C or better in English 111G and all required OEWT courses and achieve a cumulative gradepoint average of 2.0. Courses appearing in italics may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree at NMSU.

Certificate (45 credits)

Students must receive a C or better in all required OEWT courses.