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Welding Engineering Technology

Overview
Curriculum
Outcomes
Faculty
Cost
Scholarships
Requirements
Accreditation

Overview

careers

Welder
Machinist
Industrial Engineer Technician
Welding Robot Programmer
Manufacturing Technician
Fabricator
Non-Destructive Testing Specialist (NDT)

The Welding Engineering Technology program at Mitchell Technical College is industry-driven to educate students who want to pursue a career in the manufacturing industry. The program provides the skills for graduates to excel in welding, machining, and lean manufacturing techniques.

Students have the opportunity to learn in a nationally recognized program, as Mitchell Tech’s Welding Engineering Technology Program received the 2026 WEMCO Excellence in Welding Award in the Educational Facility category in 2026.

Instruction is American Welding Society (AWS) code-based so that students may sit for welding qualification testing, assuring future employer requirements.

Designed for student success, graduates will have many employment opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Labs include up-to-date technology in areas like gas metal arc welding of steel and aluminum, gas tungsten arc welding of steel and aluminum, robotic welding, operation of machining stations, metal forming, laser cutting and plasma cutting.

Mitchell Tech’s Welding Engineering Technology program includes South Dakota’s only collegiate training program with a non-destructive testing (NDT) Level III instructor. Graduates can leverage their knowledge and abilities to become certified professionals, meeting the demand in today’s highly technical manufacturing landscape.

When you enroll in the Welding Engineering Technology program at Mitchell Tech, you can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in four semesters or exit after two semesters with a diploma.

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Curriculum

Award: Certificate, Diploma, or AAS Degree

Semesters

One Year Diploma - First Semester (Fall)

WLD101 > Welding Safety and DiscontinuitiesThe AWS Safety in Welding provides a comprehensive overview of welding hazards, safety equipment. At the completion of the course, participants will have the opportunity to sit for a certification exam. Students will also be introduced to discontinuities AND defects that go hand in hand with the welding processes. They will be able to correctly place the discontinuity or defect into precise categories.2 credits

WMT132 > MetallurgyIntroduction to metallurgy of carbon steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. Set up and Illustrate proper mechanical requirements for welding steel, aluminum with GMAW/GTAW/ SMAW processes; create electrical diagrams for specific current needed to weld steel/aluminum; acquire proper meanings for welding terminology; exchange of carbon in steel; allotropy of iron atoms; transformation temperatures; treatment of metals with heat; adhere to the ASTM designation system; summarize the classification of carbon steels and aluminum for proper filler metal selection; and illustrate heat affected zone. Acquaint self with acceptable, unacceptable welds through the interpretation of relevant welding codes.2 credits

WMT149 > Basic Welding LabProper skills to operate all shop equipment and produce quality welds in order to pass specific weld position tests. Some of the assignments will include: Lab safety; applying proper technique with GMAW processes; manipulate hand held plasma equipment in a skillful assignment; demonstrate the ability to properly operate an oxy-fuel cutting torch.2 credits

WMT150 > Welding Lab IStudents will gain the proper skills to operate all shop equipment and produce quality welds in order to pass specific weld position tests. Some of the assignments will include working on a classroom project, and applying proper technique with GMAW, GTAW and GMAW-P to properly pass an AWS qualification exam. Prerequisite: WMT 1494 credits

OSHA100 > OSHA 10 GeneralAn overview of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards focusing on hazard recognition and injury and illness prevention. The 10-hour general program is intended to provide entry-level workers with awareness of hazards in and around the work site. Emphasis is placed on recognition and prevention and helps create a culture of safety. Upon successful completion the student will receive OSHA 10 certification.1 credit

SSS100 > Student SuccessProvides a foundation for gaining the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for college success. Students will learn to make a successful transition to higher education by setting up a pattern of success that will last the rest of their lives. Students will define goals and develop thinking skills, learning strategies and personal qualities essential to both academic and career success.1 credit

> Communications Elective3 credits

Total Semester Hours15 credits

Second Semester (Spring)

WMT117 > Crane and RiggingThe class covers basic safety principles related to Crane activities. The application and inspection of cable, chain, and synthetic lifting devices will be covered along with verbal and non-verbal signals involved in safe operations. Students will gain experience in reading load charts, identifying working parts of a crane, operation of overhead bridge cranes and learn how to inspect cranes prior to use.2 credits

WMT120 > Manufac Symbols MeasurementsExercise the ability of micrometer use, reading of fraction/ metric tape measure, applying the use of a fillet weld gauge, operating dial indicators, dial calipers, identifying weld symbols, analyzing welding symbols on weld drawings and demonstrating actual welding scenarios with a comprehensive view of welding manufacturing blueprints.1 credit

WMT121 > Blueprint Reading1 credit

WMT142 > Welding EconomicsA close look at welding manufacturing economics with specifics in welding productivity, do’s goal, method for computing operation factor, putting it all together and summary of key concepts. Reduce weld metal volume, reduce arc time per weldment, reduce rejects, rework and scrap, reduce work effort, reduce motion and delay time, method for computing operating factor and understanding welding productivity.2 credits

WMT151 > Welding Lab IIThe student will gain the proper skill to operate all shop equipment and produce quality welds on aluminum and steel in order to pass specific weld position tests. Band saw operations, introduction to the basic operations of a forming Iron Worker, demonstrating proper techniques in various positions with GMAW/GTAW/SMAW/GMAW-P process, and fabrication of a classroom project.4 credits

> Math Elective3 credits

> General Education Elective3 credits

Total Semester Hours16 credits

Two Year AAS Degree - Third Semester (Summer)

WMT290 > Internship6 credits

Total Semester Hours6 credits

Fourth Semester (Fall)

WMT201 > Quality Productivity ImprovementQuality and productivity improvement. Will appeal to everyone concerned with enhancing productivity in the Welding workplace. Reviews management systems for welding supervisors, requirements of welds, welding instruction, and application of welding standards, welding inspection, health, safety, work reports, and records.2 credits

WMT230 > Welding Robotic Lab3 credits

WMT242 > Welding CodeA welding code clinic designed to fit manufacturing needs in order to create a reputable welding program within a company’s requirements. Code interpretation would evaluate code books published from the American Welding Society, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Petroleum Institute.2 credits

WMT262 > Advanced Welding Processes4 credits

> General Education Elective3 credits

Total Semester Hours14 credits

Fifth Semester (Spring)

WMT232 > Nondestructive Testing (NDT)4 credits

WMT252 > Mechanical Workmanship LabThe first and second year students will be working together to complete a large fabrication project. Example of past years projects would include a 20-foot (16’ long with 4’ stationary deck) tilt utility trailer. During this lab the students will be taking all of the skills they have developed in the WMT program and applying them to fabricate the final project.3 credits

WMT271 > Adv. Robot Welding Qualification2 credits

WMT272 > Adv. Welding Qualification2 credits

CPR100 > First Aid, CPR and AED0.5 credits

> General Education Elective3 credits

Total Semester Hours14.5 credits

Requirements

Computer Requirements

This program requires a laptop computer so that you can effectively integrate computing skills with your technical education. Many resources that instructors assign are online or require specialty software. To address these needs, Mitchell Tech requires that students entering this program purchase their laptops from Mitchell Tech. The cost for a Mitchell Tech laptop averages about $1,150 for this program. Please be aware that our machines come fully loaded with the software required for this program.

Whether it’s Microsoft Office, or a specialty software for a technical program, your needs will be met by your Mitchell Tech laptop. And our laptops are serviced for free by our Technology office. You will not be able to bring a laptop from home into a Mitchell Tech laptop program as we cannot provide support services for every make and model of laptop. Please consider this carefully before making any laptop purchase and check with the Admissions office for more details.

Outcomes

At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

Identify principles of safety in welding, cutting, and machine operation
Apply welding symbols, blueprints, and manufacturing measuring devices
Describe metallurgy and mechanical/electrical requirements
Complete various AWS code welder qualification weld tests
Apply the use of welding economics and variables
Interpret welding code
Utilize nondestructive methods to examine welds for quality
Administer quality and production improvement processes
Operate welding robots, CNC machining stations, and laser and plasma cutting systems

Annual Program Review

Check out the 2025-26 Annual Program Review for information on how faculty ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program.

Faculty

Austin Crilly

Instructor

Jed Schoenfelder

Instructor

Travis Peterson

Program Coordinator / Instructor

Cost

AAS Degree

Other Required Costs

Laptop/Software $1,600
Books/Tools (estimated) $2,731

One-Year Diploma

Other Required Costs

Laptop/Software $1,600
Books/Tools (estimated) $2,187

Certificate

Other Required Costs

Laptop/Software $1,600
Books/Tools (estimated) $1,989

Scholarships

Mitchell Tech offers a variety of scholarships to qualified applicants. The application period runs from October 1 through November 1 for current students and January 1 through March 31 for incoming students.

Other Related Programs

If you’re interested in Welding Engineering Technology, you might also be interested in these other construction & manufacturing programs at Mitchell Tech.

Welding Engineering Technology

Overview

careers

Welder

Machinist

Industrial Engineer Technician

Welding Robot Programmer

Manufacturing Technician

Fabricator

Non-Destructive Testing Specialist (NDT)

Curriculum

One Year Diploma - First Semester (Fall)

Second Semester (Spring)

Two Year AAS Degree - Third Semester (Summer)

Fourth Semester (Fall)

Fifth Semester (Spring)

Requirements

Computer Requirements

Outcomes

Faculty

Cost

AAS Degree

Other Required Costs

One-Year Diploma

Other Required Costs

Certificate

Other Required Costs

Scholarships

Other Related Programs

Architectural Design & Building Construction

Electrical Construction & Maintenance

Heating & Cooling Technology

Machining & Manufacturing

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