About this program
From theory to practice, you’ll harness the latest technology and advanced industry-specific tools to perform flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). This skill-centric certificate program focuses on specialized career preparation, while still including a limited number of communications and math courses to support career growth.
Next steps...
You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.
4
Semesters
55,000+
Square Foot Facility
Extensive Hands-On Experience
Careers
- Construction welding
- Shipbuilding
- Industrial & production welding
Courses
At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.
Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.
- WEL119Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- WEL133Flux Cored Arc Welding
- WEL142Gas Metal Arc Welding
- WEL102Welding Blueprint & Layout
- WEL146Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- WEL209Advanced Semi-Automatic Processes
- WEL216Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- WEL240Basic CNC Programming
- QAL241Non-Destructive Testing I
- WEL244Gas Tungsten Arc Pipe Welding
- WEL264Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Pipe Welding
- WEL249Robotic Welding
- WEL252Welding Blueprint & Layout II
Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.
Tour Schedule
Seeing is believing.
Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.
Feb 21
Undergraduate Open House
Saturday, February 219 AM - 3 PM
Apr 26
Undergraduate Open House
Sunday, April 269 AM - 3 PM
Industry Partners
Work with experts to become an expert
Penn College's strong partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.
Student Life
Lead and put your skills to the test
American Welding Society (AWS)
Being a part of the AWS allows students to network and learn and sharpen the skills needed for a successful career in the welding industry.
SkillsUSA
Student Organizations at Penn College
Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.
Penn College News
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Johnson Controls continues support for Penn College students
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Robotic welding system entrusted to Penn College
Friday, September 5, 2025
Penn College welding student receives scholarship
Study Abroad
Gain global experience
See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.
Internship
Your knowledge in practice
Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your knowledge to the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand.
Student Experience
The community as their classroom
Penn College welding students cap unique remodeling project
Members of the college’s American Welding Society student chapter and faculty advisor recently volunteered their time and expertise to craft and install a 6-by-9-foot “tree of life” metallic sculpture at a former church.
More Information
This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see http://www.pct.edu/catalog/TransferringCredits). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.
Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.
Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.
Tools
Students should review the Welding Tools & Supplies to determine what tools and supplies they will need to purchase. The Welding department realizes that some students may not need to purchase the entire list of supplies. These students may contact the School Office for guidance in purchasing their supplies. The College Store can provide the complete kit.
Personal Protection Equipment
- Leather work shoes (safety toes optional)
- Safety glasses
- Welding helmet with #10 lens
- Cutting goggles with #5 lens
- Welding jacket
- Welding gloves (SMAW & GTAW)
Personal Protection Equipment and tools are available for purchase through The College Store .
- Mr. Dan Bechek, Sales Engineer / Central PA, Lincoln Electric
- Mr. Robert Blauser, '96, '00, Vice President of Operations, GSM Industrial
- Mr. Richard A Conrad, Jr., '02, Field Application Engineer, Hobart/Miller Electric
- Mr. Jacob D Fisher, '10, Plant Manager, High Steel Structures LLC.
- Mr. Eric F Geier, '17, Operations Leadership Rotation Future Leader, Aerojet Rocketdyne
- Mr. Matthew Hillyer, Welding Engineer, Johnson Controls Navy Systems
- Mr. Michael Sebergandio, '01, '03, Quality Engineer - Welding, Case New Holland
- Mr. Brian A Thompson, Owner, Jasper Steel Works, LLC
- Mr. Richard Wagoner, Principal Construction Training Leader, UGI Utilities