The Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welder Technical Certificate of Credit is a continuation of the basic certificate. The advanced program provides instruction in shielded metal arc welding in the overhead, horizontal, and vertical positions.
Students are accepted into the Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welder program any semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 2 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 12 semester credit hours.
Employment Outlook
Career Traits/Requirements
Individuals wanting to enroll in the Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welder program must have good eyesight, manual dexterity, hand eye coordination, critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, math skills, and the ability to apply technology to the work environment.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates are prepared for employment as a structural welder using SMAW process in all positions.
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $1,862.00
Books & Supplies: $430.00
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
HOPE Career Grant: The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with one of 12 industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. To qualify, an OFTC student must be fully admitted to the college, enrolled in one of the above programs and receiving the HOPE Grant for the same term. The amount of the HOPE Career Grant award is a fixed amount for each term of enrollment:
- 9 or more credit hours – $500/semester
- 3-8 credit hours – $250/semester
- 1-2 credit hours – $125/semester
- Commercial Truck Driving – $1,000 one time award
High School students in dual enrollment and joint enrollment are NOT eligible.
Admission Requirements
OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums:
- COMPASS/ASSET,
- SAT,
- ACT,
- PSAT,
- PACT,
- Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion,
- HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher, or High School GPA of 2.6 (for occupational programs), or 2.0 for Workforce Entry Level programs, or GED.
The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.
Additional Admission Requirements:
- Must have completed the Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welder TCC.
Curriculum
Occupational Courses
| WELD 1050 | Horizontal Shielded Metal Arc Welding | 4 | 90 |
| WELD 1060 | Vertical Shielded Metal Arc Welding | 4 | 90 |
| WELD 1070 | Overhead Shielded metal Arc Welding | 4 | 90 |
Program Pathway
Year 1
Semester 1
| WELD 1050 | Horizontal Shielded Metal Arc Welding | 4 | 90 |
| WELD 1060 | Vertical Shielded Metal Arc Welding | 4 | 90 |
Semester 2
| WELD 1070 | Overhead Shielded metal Arc Welding | 4 | 90 |