Program Description

The Welding Fabrication & Robotics Associate Degree program prepares learners to program and operate CNC cutting and forming equipment, as well as robotic welders and develops the skills needed to work in an advanced metal manufacturing environment. Learners also expand their print reading skills through fabrication layout, fixturing and precision measurement. Welding metallurgy and machine shop principles are also studied. Critical thinking skills are built through problem solving activities that foster teamwork, positive attitudes and an understanding of global competition.

Found in These Career Fields:

Approximate Program Cost

$12,804
Tuition: $12165 , Books: $639

Starting Salary

$35,360–$39,650
Average, based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report

Financial Aid

Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).

Program Overview Video

An aerial view of NTC's Wausau Campus main entrance on a sunny summer day. Trees and greenery frame the spacious side walks that lead up to the light-brown brick building.

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Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

100%
at Wausau
30-40%
at Antigo
< 10 %
at Medford
30-40%
at Phillips
< 10 %
at Spencer
< 10 %
at Wittenberg

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Inspect product
  • Layout components/assemblies
  • Join materials to detailed drawings
  • Cut materials to detailed drawings
  • Form materials to detailed drawings
  • Demonstrate industry-recognized safety practices

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Welder

Courses

The Welding Fabrication and Robotics Associate Degree is a 64 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

INTRODUCTION TO WELDING 1.00
WELD INSPECTION & TESTING 1.00
WELDING SAFETY 1.00
THERMAL CUTTING 1.00
WELD PRINT READING 1: BASIC VIEWS AND DIMENSIONS 1.00
WELD PRINT READING 2: OTHER VIEWS AND SYMBOLS 1.00
GAS METAL ARC WELDING 1: SHORT CIRCUIT TRANSFER (HORIZONTAL) 1.00
GAS METAL ARC WELDING 2: SHORT CIRCUIT TRANSFER (VERTICAL AND OVERHEAD) 1.00
GAS METAL ARC WELDING 3: SPRAY TRANSFER 1.00
GAS METAL ARC WELDING 4: PULSED SPRAY TRANSFER 1.00
FLUX CORED ARC WELDING 1: THEORY, MAINTENANCE AND SET-UP 1.00
WELDING CAREER EXPLORATION 1.00
GAS METAL ARC WELDING 5: STAINLESS STEEL AND ALUMINUM 1.00
GAS METAL ARC WELDING 6: SHEET METAL 1.00
COLLEGE MATHEMATICS 3.00
COLLEGE 101 1.00

Second Term

INTRO TO WELDING CNC APPLICATIONS 1.00
WELDING METALLURGY 1.00
WELDING FABRICATION TECHNIQUES 1: INTERNATIONAL WELD SYMBOLS 1.00
WELDING FABRICATION TECHNIQUES 2: GD&T AND PIPE PRINTS 1.00
WELDING FABRICATION TECHNIQUES 3: PRODUCTION WELDING 1.00
SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING 1: E7018 1.00
SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING 2: E6010, E7018 1.00
FLUX CORED ARC WELDING 2: .045 DIAMETER WIRE 1.00
FLUX CORED ARC WELDING 3: SUBMERGED ARC WELDING & 1/16" DIAMETER WIRE 1.00
GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING 1: CARBON STEEL, FLAT AND HORIZONTAL POSITIONS 1.00
GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING 2: CARBON STEEL, VERTICAL AND OVERHEAD POSITIONS 1.00
GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING 3: STAINLESS STEEL 1.00
GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING 4: ALUMINUM 1.00
GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING 5: PIPE AND TUBING 1.00
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION 3.00
ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 3.00

Third Term

INTRODUCTION TO MACHINE SHOP 2.00
ROBOTIC WELDING APPLICATIONS 1 2.00
WELDING LASER PROGRAMMING 1.00
WELDING LASER OPERATIONS 1.00
WELDING METAL FORMING 1 1.00
WELDING METAL FORMING 2 1.00
SOLIDWORKS FOR WELDERS 1.00
SOLIDWORKS 1 1.00
ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 3.00
INTRODUCTION TO DIVERSITY STUDIES 3.00

Fourth Term

LAYOUT & WELDING FABRICATION 1 2.00
LAYOUT & WELDING FABRICATION 2 2.00
ROBOTIC WELDING APPLICATIONS 2 3.00
TECHNICAL REPORTING 3.00
PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN RELATIONS 3.00
INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY 3.00

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Pathways

Pathways are a series of connected programs that enable you to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training. By earning one degree, you could also be completing several courses of a related program in a pathway, bringing you one step closer to an advanced degree.

If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn significant credit towards this Welding Fabrication and Robotics Associate Degree:

Transfer Information

You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.

Program Transfer

The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.

School Name Degree Name
Minnesota State University - Moorhead B.S. in Operations Management
Siena Heights University Bachelor of Applied Science
UW Platteville Industrial Technology Management

General Transfer

All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.

View all transfer guides

Cost of Attendance

2023-2024 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student can expect to incur while attending college. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College uses the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student's cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student's financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies.

Please Note: this COA budget estimate assumes full-time attendance for two semester Fall 2023 and Spring 2024.
Expenses Student Living With Parents (Home) Student Living on Own (Other)
Full-time Tuition (based on a total of 30 credits, 15 credits fall and 15 credits spring)
In-State Tuition & Fees
$4,713*
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$6,900*
In-State Tuition & Fees
$4,713*
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$6,900*
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $4,052 $9,614
Books / Supplies $2,061 $2,061
Transportation $2,007 $2,007
Personal Expenses $2,245 $2,245
Loan Fees $83 $83
Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance
In-State
$15,161
Out-of-State
$17,348
In-State
$20,723
Out-of-State
$22,910

* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2022-2023 academic year with a projected base increase of 1.65%. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.

Students with dependent care, computer or study abroad expenses should contact the Financial Aid Office to document allowable expenses which may serve to increase their COA.

Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.

Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.

NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.

For more information regarding billed tuition and fees visit https://www.ntc.edu/admissions/tuition-fees

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.

NTC Financial Aid Office

715.803.1647
financialaid@ntc.edu

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

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What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be mailed to you.