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.

  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding (WEL119)
  • Flux Cored Arc Welding (WEL133)
  • Gas Metal Arc Welding (WEL142)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (WEL146)
  • Welding Blueprint & Layout (WEL102)
  • Advanced Semi-Automatic Processes (WEL209)
  • Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding (WEL216)
  • Basic CNC Programming (WEL240)
  • Non-Destructive Testing I (QAL241)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc Pipe Welding (WEL244)
  • Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Pipe Welding (WEL264)
  • Robotic Welding (WEL249)
  • Welding Blueprint & Layout II (WEL252)

​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.

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • Technical Algebra & Trigonometry I (MTH123)
  • Communications (ENL010)
Facilities

Welding Lab Expanded

Get hands-on experience in one of the largest facilities in higher education, using industry-standard equipment just like you’ll see in the real world.

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.

Nov 3

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, November 39 AM - 3 PM

Register

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

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.

ATF Logo
Featured Video

Diversity In Manufacturing

This SkillsUSA produced video features the state champion Penn College welding team consisting of three female students who are helping to change America’s outdated ideas on manufacturing.

Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

American Welding Society (AWS)

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

SkillsUSA

Participation in SkillsUSA gives students a chance to compete in more than 80 national competitions. 
Student Organizations at Penn College

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
09.25.2024

Penn College students earn medals at SkillsUSA nationals

Two Pennsylvania College of Technology students brought home medals from the 2024 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, while all of the college’s competitors finished in the top 10 in their categories. SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference involved 6,450 collegiate and high school competitors in 115 career competitions.

09.16.2024

Johnson Controls renews support for Penn College students

Johnson Controls is providing Pennsylvania College of Technology with a $100,000 grant for the second consecutive year to support students seeking in-demand careers. The grant is part of Johnson Controls’ Community College Partnership Program, a nationwide initiative that aims to provide $15 million by the end of 2026 to help students from historically underrepresented groups prepare for careers related to sustainable building practices.

09.06.2024

Penn College welding student receives scholarships

A Pennsylvania College of Technology freshman welding student has received two scholarships from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut. Josiah A. Hinojos, of Groton, Connecticut, received the Skip Thavenet and John Boyle Memorial scholarships. He is seeking a bachelor’s degree in in welding & fabrication engineering technology.

Gain global experience
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.

Learn More

Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your knowledge to the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand.

Learn More
Student Experience

The community as their classroom

Penn College welding students cap unique remodeling project

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.

Read more

More Information

American Welding Society (AWS) Accredited Test Facility (ATF) and Sustaining Company Member

View general transfer information

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.

Penn College offers American Welding Society (AWS) certification testing.

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. 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. Wayne A Leone, Welder Training & Testing for Susq. Nuclear Power Plant, PP&L
  • 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
  • Mr. Dave Watson, Sales Engineer, Lincoln Electric
  • Career Fair Connections

    Career Fair Connections

    Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

    Learn More About Career Fair