The Field

Welding technology is an integral part of many construction-type activities both in the manufacturing sector and in the civil construction field. It is also a medium for sculpture and artistic expression. The field requires a blend of knowledge, combining the chemistry of materials, an understanding of physics, and good hand-and-eye coordination.

The most recent census established that over 900,000 men and women in the United States are employed as welders and/or flamecutters. The field has many employment opportunities, and many new welders are needed each year.

Careers

Graduates of the Welding Technology program at Delhi have a number of career options. The majority of graduates proceed directly to employment. Graduates are qualified for employment as welding technicians in manufacturing firms, in state and county highway departments, or as welding subcontractors. Graduates with experience qualify for positions such as welding inspector, welding quality control, and welding estimator.

A second option for graduates is to transfer to a four-year degree-granting institution with a program in this field. Two bachelor’s degree programs to which A.A.S. graduates can transfer are the Welding and Fabrication Engineering Technology program at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA and the Industrial Engineering Technology program at SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome. A related career option would be to transfer to a school with a Technology Education or a Vocational Education bachelor’s degree, which would lead to a teaching career at the high school level. In New York State, two schools with this degree are SUNY Oswego and SUNY Buffalo.

The Instructional Programs

The Welding Technology program at SUNY Delhi offers a number of degrees and options for students interested in pursuing welding. Both Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) and Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S.) degrees are available. The A.A.S. degree is useful for those students with good math and science backgrounds who are considering transferring to a four-year school at some point. The A.O.S. degree is geared towards students who are seeking employment after graduation. The A.A.S degree has two options—Industrial and Sculpture. The traditional welding program is the Industrial Option. The Sculpture Option has been added recently for those who want to learn welding but want to apply it in artistic endeavors. A one-year certificate is also available.

Welding Technology

 A.A.S. Degree

SUNY Curriculum Code:  0712

Advisement Option: Industrial

First Year

Second Year

Degree Requirement:  71 credit hours

Admission Requirements:  Applicants must have earned a high school diploma. Any high school math and science courses are recommended.

*Note:  Math by placement. MATH 128 College Algebra and MATH 138 Trigonometry are the minimum exit-level mathematics requirements for the A.A.S. degree.

Welding Technology

A.A.S. Degree

SUNY Curriculum Code:  0712

Advisement Option: Sculpture

First Year

Second Year

Degree Requirement: 67 credit hours

Admission Requirements: Applicants must have earned a high school diploma. Any high school math and science courses are recommended.

*Note: Math by placement. MATH 128 College Algebra and MATH 138 Trigonometry are the minimum exit-level mathematics  requirements for the A.A.S. degree.

Welding Technology

A.O.S. Degree

SUNY Curriculum Code:  0712

Advisement Option: Industrial

First Year

Second Year

Degree Requirement: 67 credit hours

Admission Requirements: Applicants must have earned a high school or equivalency diploma.

*Note: Math by placement.

Welding

Certificate

SUNY Curriculum Code:  0712

First Year

Certificate Requirement: 32 credit hours

Admission Requirements: Applicants must have earned a high school or equivalency diploma.

Notes:

1 Math by placement.

2 A student who successfully completes the certificate program can apply to the A.O.S. degree programs, and the completed courses will meet the first-year requirements of the A.O.S. degree.

Program Objectives (Certificate)

A graduate of the Welding certificate program should be able to:

1. Understand and apply the fundamentals of gas and arc welding.
2. Demonstrate familiarity with the shielded metal arc and oxyfuel gas welding and cutting processes, including safety, controls, accessories, types of equipment, and the selection and use of welding consumables.
3. Show practical knowledge of making welds with all types of mild steel electrodes, arc air gouging, and the welding of mild steel in all positions in a safe manner.
4. Exhibit the basic understanding of metallurgy necessary to a successful welder. 
5. Read and correctly interpret both basic and advanced welding fabrication blueprints, including welding symbols, weld testing symbols, structural steel shapes, and welding specifications.
6. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and techniques for the safe and successful operation of gas tungsten welding, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, submerged arc welding, and plasma arc cutting.
7. Qualify for certification by the American Welding Society, New York State Department of Transportation, and ASME codes through knowledge of all-position welding of ferrous/nonferrous metals using all major processes. 
8. Exhibit knowledge of the proper use of AWS/ASME pre-qualified procedures and familiarity with the detailed steps of qualified welding procedures and welder performance. 
9. Plan the physical layout, set-up, financing, and function of a small welding fabrication facility.
10. Recognize and respond to emergencies by making appropriate decisions regarding first-aid care.