AY24 Academic Catalog/Handbook

Welding and Joining Technology Diploma

The Welding and Joining Technology diploma program is designed to prepare students for careers in the welding industry. Program learning opportunities develop academic, technical, professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes welding theory and practical applications necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive a Welding and Joining Technology diploma, have the qualifications of a welding and joining technician, and are prepared to take qualification tests.

Students are accepted into the Welding and Joining Technology diploma program every semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 4 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 54 semester credit hours.

Offered at the Following Campuses/Delivery Mode:

  • North Campus (Sandersville)
  • South Campus (Dublin)
  • Jefferson County Center

Employment Outlook

Career Traits/Requirements

Individuals wanting to enroll in the Welding and Joining Technology diploma program must have good eyesight, math skills, manual dexterity, hand eye coordination, critical thinking skills, and the ability to apply technology to the work environment.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Welding and Joining Technology diploma program have the qualifications of a welding and joining technician, and are prepared to take qualification tests. Instruction and practical application of learned skills provide a broad occupational background which appeals to prospective employers.

Program Costs

Tuition & Fees: $6,724.00

Books & Supplies: $500.00

(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.

Curriculum

General Education Courses

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
EMPL 1000Interpersonal Relations & Prof Development

2

30

ENGL 1010Fundamentals of English I

3

45

MATH 1012Foundations of Mathematics

3

45

Occupational Courses

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
WELD 1000Introduction to Welding Technology

4

90

WELD 1010Oxyfuel and Plasma Cutting

4

90

WELD 1030Blueprint Reading for Welding Technology

4

90

WELD 1040Flat Shielded Metal Arc Welding

4

90

WELD 1050Horizontal Shielded Metal Arc Welding

4

90

WELD 1060Vertical Shielded Metal Arc Welding

4

90

WELD 1070Overhead Shielded metal Arc Welding

4

90

WELD 1090Gas Metal Arc Welding

4

90

WELD 1110Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

4

90

WELD 1120Preparation for Industrial Qualification

4

90

Occupational Elective Requirement - 6 Credit Hours:
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
COLL 1060Introduction to College and Computers

3

50

XXXX XXXXOccupational Elective

3

Program Pathway

Semester 1

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
COLL 1060Introduction to College and Computers

3

50

WELD 1000Introduction to Welding Technology

4

90

WELD 1010Oxyfuel and Plasma Cutting

4

90

WELD 1030Blueprint Reading for Welding Technology

4

90

Semester 2

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ENGL 1010Fundamentals of English I

3

45

WELD 1040Flat Shielded Metal Arc Welding

4

90

WELD 1050Horizontal Shielded Metal Arc Welding

4

90

WELD 1090Gas Metal Arc Welding

4

90

Semester 3

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
MATH 1012Foundations of Mathematics

3

45

WELD 1060Vertical Shielded Metal Arc Welding

4

90

WELD 1070Overhead Shielded metal Arc Welding

4

90

Semester 4

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
WELD 1110Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

4

90

WELD 1120Preparation for Industrial Qualification

4

90

EMPL 1000Interpersonal Relations & Prof Development

2

30

Elective