The welding programs at Texas State Technical College emphasize the development of real, hands-on welding, layout and fitting skills. With extensive exposure to welding practices and principles, students can better understand not only how welding processes work, but also why certain welding processes are used. In addition to 180 ventilated arc welding stations and 20 oxy-acetylene stations, Welding Technology offers Combination Welding students instruction on plasma torches for oxy-acetylene and air carbon arc cutting. Students also gain extensive skills and knowledge through simulated industrial welder qualification tests with the following processes: SMAW, GMAW, FCAW (gas and self-shielded), GTAW and SAW.

The one-year Combination Welding program focuses on the skills and knowledge required for the welder qualification test for the American Welding Society, Section IX of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Code and the American Petroleum Institute. As a graduate, you may go to work as a welder in general fabrication shops, on construction sites, in pressure vessel shops or shipyards; or you may elect to pursue a pipe welding endorsement by completing work in an advanced exit point.

In addition to the Certificate of Completion, Welding Technology offers advanced exit points for specialized skill development.