Welding & Fabrication Engineering Technology

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
Student framed in welding sculpture

About this program

With job opportunities across industries and around the globe, a degree in welding and fabrication will take you where you want to go. At Penn College, you’ll get hands-on training in specialized learning labs. Work alongside passionate and experienced instructors to hone in-demand technical skills. And learn everything from techniques and methods to problem solving skills.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

95%

Overall Placement

55,000+

Square Foot Facility

47%

Hired BEFORE Graduation

Careers

  • Welding engineer
  • Designer engineer
  • Automation engineer
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.

  • Flux Cored I (WEL132)
  • Shielded Metal Arc I (WEL114)
  • Flux Cored II (WEL136)
  • Shielded Metal Arc II (WEL116)
  • Occupational Health & Safety (SAF110)
  • Gas Metal Arc I (WEL120)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc I (WEL123)
  • Gas Metal Arc II (WEL124)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc II (WEL129)
  • Welding Blueprint & Layout (WEL102)
  • Advanced Semi-Automatic Processes I (WEL211)
  • Shielded Metal Arc III (WEL221)
  • Advanced Semi-Automatic Processes II (WEL212)
  • Shielded Metal Arc V (WEL223)
  • Basic CNC Programming (WEL240)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc III (WEL215)
  • Shielded Metal Arc IV/Pipe Welding (WEL225)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc IV (WEL220)
  • Shielded Metal Arc VI/Pipe Welding (WEL227)
  • Welding Blueprint & Layout II (WEL252)
  • Non-Destructive Testing I (QAL241)
  • Introduction to Metallurgy (MSC106)
  • Robotic Welding (WEL249)
  • Parametric Modeling & FEA Applications for Welders (DSG328)
  • Industrial Project Support Systems (WEL401)
  • Design Statics & Strength of Materials (DSG323)
  • Advanced High Energy Density Processes (WEL302)
  • NDT Quality Assurance (QAL301)
  • Industrial Weld Design (WEL410)
  • Fabrication of Alloys (WEL400)
  • Industrial Electrical Systems (ELT302)
  • Engineering Ethics & Legal Issues (MET321)
  • Welding Codes & Procedures (WEL420)
  • Welding Internship (WEL495)

​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.

  • College Physics I (PHS115)
  • Core Global & Cultural Diversity Perspective (CDP)
  • Core Social Science Perspective (SSP)
  • Core Historical Perspective (HIP)
  • Core Arts Perspective (ARP)

​​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)
  • College Algebra & Trigonometry I (MTH181)
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • College Algebra & Trigonometry II (MTH183)
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201)
  • Applied Calculus (MTH230) or
  • Calculus I (MTH240)
  • Speech Elective (SPC)
View Goals & Course List
Sculpting Success
Featured Video

Sculpting Success

Follow along as welding student Erin Beaver crafts an amazing entry for the 2019 SkillsUSA welding sculpture competition.

Maker Profiles
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. Academic Tours allow you to explore labs and get to the core of your future program. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into your academic area of interest, opt for a Self-Scheduled Personal Tour. Comprehensive COVID-19 safety protocols are in place.

Jul 23

Open House

Saturday, July 238:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)

Register

Jul 29

Open House

Friday, July 298:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)

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

If you can't attend any of these dates Contact Admissions at 570.320.2400

Lab Tour
Facilities

Lab Tour

In this virtual tour, you'll walk through our newly upgraded 55,000+-square-foot facility, meet a few instructors, and check out some of the latest technology and tools of the trade.

Welding Lab Expanded
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.

Cutting-Edge Equipment
Facilities

Cutting-Edge Equipment

Faculty recently trained on an electron beam welder to prepare for the arrival of such a unit. Penn College will be the first U.S.educational institution to feature an electron beam welder.

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
Internship

Your knowledge in practice

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

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Related Programs

Follow your passion

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.

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SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA

Participation in SkillsUSA gives students a chance to compete in more than 80 national competitions. 

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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.

Get Involved
News

Welding & Metal Fabrication

06.25.2022

What better way to prep for college!

Campers from near and far participated in the past week’s seven Pre-College Programs, giving teens a taste of Penn College ...

Read more

Welding & Metal Fabrication

06.22.2022

Grant helps Penn College ‘manufacture’ career exploration

A national foundation devoted to manufacturing’s future is teaming with Pennsylvania College of Technology to spark interest ...

Read more

Welding & Metal Fabrication

06.07.2022

Penn College Baja SAE team reigns supreme … again

During the past decade, Pennsylvania College of Technology emerged as a top contender in the prestigious Baja SAE endurance race ...

Read more

View all
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.

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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 adviser 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. Eric F Geier, '17, Operations Leadership Rotation Future Leader, Aerojet Rocketdyne
  • Mr. Wayne A Leone, Welder Training & Testing for Susq. Nuclear Power Plant, PP&L
  • Mr. Dwight L Myers, Director of Marketing Filler Metals, ESAB Welding & Cutting Products
  • Mr. Michael Sebergandio, '01, '03, Quality Engineer - Welding, Case New Holland
  • Mr. Richard Wagoner, Principal Construction Training Leader, UGI Utilities
  • Mr. Dave Watson, Sales Engineer, Lincoln Electric
Contact

Admissions Office

The future needs you

If you put more into today, could you get more out of tomorrow? If you create your future at Pennsylvania College of Technology, the answer is yes.

With open and rolling admission, applying is easy.

Apply today

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