Lake Superior College

What this program covers

Lake Superior College offers a 60-credit, two-year Welding AAS degree along with shorter certificate and diploma options (GTAW Production Certificate, Welding Certificate, Welding Diploma, and a hybrid Welding Technologist Diploma), covering GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SMAW, and oxy/fuel processes. Students prepare for welder qualification tests across these processes through combined lecture and lab instruction. LSC states it has the second-lowest tuition in the Minnesota State system, with standard financial aid, scholarships, and student employment available.

• Processes taught GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SMAW, OXY/Fuel
• Credential types AAS (60 credits, 2 years); Certificate; Diploma; GTAW Production Certificate (18 credits); Welding Certificate (24 credits); Welding Diploma (65 credits); Welding Technologist Diploma (32 credits, hybrid)
• Program length AAS 2 years/60 credits; other credentials 18-65 credits
• Schedule On-campus for all programs except Welding Technologist Diploma, which is hybrid
• Certifications prepped Welder qualification tests in GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, FCAW (e.g. SMAW welder qualification test, GTAW workmanship tests, flux-cored Welder Qualification Test)
• Facilities Lab setting with hands-on projects; roughly 2 hours lecture/2 hours lab per course
• Financial aid LSC states second-lowest tuition rates in the Minnesota State system ($5,931 for 2025-26); standard financial aid, scholarships, and student employment available

Source: https://www.lsc.edu/, retrieved 2026-08-05