Columbia Basin College

What this program covers

Columbia Basin College's Welding Technology program offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science (minimum 6 quarters), a one-year certificate (3-4 quarters), and a short-term certificate (2 quarters). Instruction covers SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, oxy-acetylene welding, pipe welding, structural welding, and blueprint reading, with 50-75% lab time; Fall cohort runs Monday-Friday 6:30am-2pm and Winter cohort runs 11am-4pm (switching to mornings in year 2). Students can earn at least six welder qualification tests, with the structural pathway requiring one certification and the piping pathway requiring both structural and piping certifications. Financial aid mentioned includes federal/state aid, the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, the Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs Scholarship, and Workforce Education Center grants.

• Processes taught stick/SMAW, MIG/GMAW, TIG/GTAW, flux-core/FCAW, pipe welding, structural welding
• Credential types AAS degree; one-year certificate; short-term certificate
• Program length AAS minimum 6 quarters; one-year certificate 3-4 quarters; short-term certificate 2 quarters
• Schedule Fall cohort Mon-Fri 6:30am-2pm; Winter cohort Mon-Fri 11am-4pm (switches to mornings year 2)
• Certifications prepped welder qualification tests (structural and/or piping)
• Financial aid federal and state financial aid; Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (up to $1,500/quarter); Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs Scholarship ($1,500-$2,500); Workforce Education Center grants

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