ADVANCED WELDING TECHNOLOGY General Info
The Advanced Welding Technology (AWT) Program is designed for students who want to expand their knowledge of the manufacturing world. The program allows students to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in two years.
The program was developed to provide a flexible option for students with interests in the varied areas of manufacturing including welding, computer-aided drafting and machining.
The AWT AAS degree is obtained by completing both the Production Welding (diploma) program and the Engineering Design (diploma) program in either sequence.
As an Advanced Welding technology student you will gain experience in CNC programming using the CNC plasma table, CNC mills and lathes. You will also obtain practical experience with robotics in manufacturing using a robotic work cell. All major welding and cutting processes, welding design and fabrication and inspection are covered. Welding qualifications based on the American Welding Society’s SENSE (Schools Excelling in National Standards Education) Levels I, II, and III curriculum are emphasized.
Future Ready Iowa Scholarships
FREE TUITION / IOWA LAST-DOLLAR SCHOLARSHIP
THIS PROGRAM QUALIFIES. Iowa needs people like you to fill exciting jobs in growing industries. To help keep Iowa moving forward, you can get free tuition for programs that lead to high-demand jobs and good-paying careers. Earn a one-year or two-year degree—all with free tuition. For specific details of the Future Ready Iowa Scholarship (including how to apply) and for a full list of every NCC program that qualifies – click here. Contact NCC’s Financial Aid Office at 712-324-5061 or finaid@nwicc.edu for more information.

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- Associate of Applied Science Degree
Length
- Four Semesters & One Summer Term
- Fall semester entry
Student Profile
- Good understanding of basic math concepts
- Enjoy working with their hands
Program Location
- This program is available on campus. General education courses are available online.
Contact Admissions
-
712-301-2573 | 712-301-1401 |
712-301-7033 - 800-352-4907
- Email Admissions
Student Story Mathew Peck
“I’ve always had an interest in welding and I want to work on a pipeline after I graduate. It’s great working in the shop. All of the people I know at NCC are friendly.”
Production Welding student
Cleghorn, IA


Requirements for this program
Production Welding and then Engineering Design | ||
---|---|---|
Course # | Title | Credits |
FIRST YEAR | ||
FALL SEMESTER | 18 | |
MFG122-E | Machine Trade Printreading I | 3 |
MFG185-E | OSHA/Shop Safety | 2 |
WEL120-E | Oxy Fuel Welding & Cutting | 2 |
WEL152-C | Shielded Metal-Arc Welding | 3 |
WEL186-E | GMAW | 4 |
WEL308-C | Pipe Welding | 4 |
SPRING SEMESTER | 17 | |
WEL187-C | Advanced GMAW | 4 |
WEL191-C | Gas Tungsten Arc Welding | 3 |
WEL200-C | Metallurgy Fundamentals | 2 |
WEL206-C | Quality Assurance Program | 2 |
WEL320-C | Welding Fabrication | 3 |
Elective | Communications* | 3 |
SUMMER TERM | 9 | |
ATR102-C | Introduction to Robotics | 3 |
CSC110-A | Introduction to Computers | 3 |
Elective | Math* | 3 |
SECOND YEAR | ||
FALL SEMESTER | 17–18 | |
CAD167-E | Introduction to Parametric Modeling | 5 |
MFG150-C | Applied Math for Manufacturing | 2 |
OR | ||
EGR400-E | Intro to Engineering PLTW | 3 |
MFG191-C | Manufacturing Processes | 5 |
MFG194-E | Inspection Processes | 2 |
Elective | Humanities/Social Science** | 3 |
SPRING SEMESTER | 22 | |
CAD231-C | Geometric Dimension & Tolerancing | 4 |
CAD246-C | Parmetric CAD I | 3 |
CAD248-C | Parmetric CAD II | 3 |
MFG263-E | CNC Mill Programming & Setup | 3 |
MFG264-E | CNC Lathe Programming & Setup | 3 |
MFG325-E | CAM I | 3 |
Elective | General Education** | 3 |
Total Credits | 84 |
*You may select any math or communications course with an A, E or C suffix.
**You must take courses with an A or E suffix,
Engineering Design and then Welding | ||
---|---|---|
Course # | Title | Credits |
FIRST YEAR | ||
FALL SEMESTER | 19–20 | |
CAD167-E | Introduction to Parametric Modeling | 5 |
MFG122-E | Machine Trade Print Reading I | 3 |
MFG150-C | Applied Math for Manufacturing | 2 |
OR | ||
EGR400-E | Intro to Engineering PLTW | 3 |
MFG185-E | OSHA/Shop Safety | 2 |
MFG191-C | Manufacturing Processes | 5 |
MFG194-E | Inspection Processes | 2 |
SPRING SEMESTER | 19 | |
CAD231-C | Geometric Dimension & Tolerancing | 4 |
CAD246-C | Parmetric CAD I | 3 |
CAD248-C | Parmetric CAD II | 3 |
MFG263-E | CNC Mill Programming & Setup | 3 |
MFG264-E | CNC Lathe Programming & Setup | 3 |
MFG325-E | CAM I | 3 |
SUMMER TERM | 9 | |
ATR102-C | Introduction to Robotics | 3 |
Elective | Communications* | 3 |
Elective | Math* | 3 |
SECOND YEAR | ||
FALL SEMESTER | 19 | |
CSC110-A | Introduction to Computers | 3 |
WEL120-E | Oxy Fuel Welding & Cutting | 2 |
WEL152-C | Shielded Metal-Arc Welding | 3 |
WEL186-E | GMAW | 4 |
WEL308-C | Pipe Welding | 4 |
Elective | Humanities/Social Science** | 3 |
SPRING SEMESTER | 17 | |
WEL187-C | Advanced GMAW | 4 |
WEL191-C | Gas Tungsten Arc Welding | 3 |
WEL200-C | Metallurgy Fundamentals | 2 |
WEL206-C | Quality Assurance Program | 2 |
WEL320-C | Welding Fabrication | 3 |
Elective | General Education** | 3 |
Total Credits | 84 |
*You may select any math or communications course with an A, E or C suffix.
**You must take courses with an A or E suffix,
Frequently Asked Questions

Job opportunities are endless. Current needs far outweigh
qualified applicants in all areas. You could work as a production
welder for a manufacturing industry or pipe welder in the
petroleum or boiler maker industry. You could also work as a
construction welder for structural bridge and building contractors
or as a fabricator at a welding fabrication and repair shop.
Other opportunities include work in the fields of: Automotive,
Petroleum and Energy, Aerospace, Heavy Industry and Local
Industries.
Typical starting salary begins at around $17.50–$21.00 an
hour in the local area.
A variety of classes will consist of lecture and hands-on work
in the welding, machining and CNC labs.
NCC has brought three industry requested programs together: Manufacturing, Welding, and Design. Students will have hands-on labs utilizing current technical equipment such as: Robotic welding station and CNC equipment. NCC’s students also learn by doing actual fabrication and repair projects.
Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Office will work with you to reach the goal of attending college. Federal and state programs, scholarships and other funding sources, may be available to help you to afford college. We know there are a lot of questions and stress planning to pay for a college education. The Financial Aid Office staff administers aid programs and counsels students in planning individual methods of meeting college costs. Contact the Financial Aid Office for answers to any questions regarding financial aid. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started! Northwest Iowa Community College follows a nationally accepted philosophy in administering financial aid programs.