Start Your Career: By the Numbers
Apply To This ProgramLearn from instructors with experience navigating the challenges of the field.
Master the Systems That Keep Our Spaces Comfortable.
Do you want to help people stay comfortable in their homes, schools, and workplaces? At Ozarks Tech, you’ll develop hands-on skills to install and fix heating and air conditioning systems.
In this program, you’ll learn how to:
- Work with heating, cooling and refrigeration equipment
- Use safety gear and tools
- Read blueprints and follow rules
- Troubleshoot and repair systems
You’ll train with advanced tools and equipment to keep up with the fast-changing HVAC industry. Our instructors will guide you through hands-on learning so you’re ready for real-world jobs.
After graduation, you can work in places like HVAC installation companies, large businesses and corporations, schools and public buildings.
This program is accredited by HVAC Excellence, which means you’re learning the skills employers trust.
Program Information: Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Explore our accreditation information, find program contacts and learn more about how to apply for the program.
General Admissions to Ozarks Tech
Admission to Ozarks Technical Community College is open to all individuals who can benefit from its educational programs. A focus of the college mission is on the academic, career and personal goals of the student. OTC may admit you as a First-Time student just completing their high school, GED or HiSET requirements or as a Transfer student coming from another institution finishing up a certificate or degree. For more information, visit OTC Admissions.
Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? At OTC, we believe that cost shouldn’t be a barrier to earning a degree. Our staff will work with you to make a financial plan. To browse the resources available to you, see paying for college.
At Ozarks Tech, we want your transfer process to be easy. We accomplish this goal through articulation agreements. These agreements are an official partnership to match coursework between schools. This gives you a more seamless transition from Ozarks Tech to a four-year institution.
We have established an agreement for this program. This will simplify the transfer of your credits to partner schools. To understand how this degree will transfer, review the current articulation agreements. Be sure to consult with your transfer school to ensure you’re on the right path toward completing your four-year degree.
This program is accredited by HVAC Excellence, PO Box 521, Mount Prospect, IL 60056, (800) 726-9696.
OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our current accreditation status with the HLC is displayed on the page linked below. Our next comprehensive evaluation will be in 2030-2031. View more on OTC Accreditation.
Program Outcomes
Department Chair for Heating, Refrigeration & Air, Electrical Trades and Construction Trades
417-447-8275
Find Your Community
Getting involved is a great way to build connections and find your community on campus. With a variety of clubs and organizations and campus events it’s easy to find your people.
Thinking about earning your bachelor’s degree?
After your A.A.S., you may continue your education at a four-year institution. Bear in mind:
- Admission requirements vary
- Credits may transfer on a course-by-course basis
Course Information
Discover overview information, course sequences and specific course descriptions. Or, view the full catalog to see all the details.
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (A.A.S.)
A.A.S. Degree: 62 Hours
The demand for highly skilled technicians in the heating, air conditioning and refrigeration fields will continue to grow in the coming years. Students are exposed to the most technically advanced equipment and knowledge to stay abreast of the rapid changes that are taking place in the HVAC industry. Courses cover every aspect of the trade to give the student a comprehensive understanding of HVAC systems. Skills learned will allow the student to find many different types of entry level HVAC-related careers. This program is accredited by HVAC Excellence, PO Box 521, Mount Prospect, IL 60056 (800) 726-9696
Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Program Requirements – 43 Credit Hours
Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Program Requirements – 43 Credit Hours
- HRA 102: Basic Refrigeration Theory and Application
Basic Refrigeration Theory and Application
- HRA 103: Electricity for Heating, Refrigerant and A/C
Electricity for Heating, Refrigerant and A/C
- HRA 125: Refrigerants and Refrigerant Handling
Refrigerants and Refrigerant Handling
- HRA 135: Refrigeration Motors and Controls
Refrigeration Motors and Controls
- HRA 180: Air Distribution Systems
Air Distribution Systems
- HRA 245: Commercial Refrigeration Systems
Commercial Refrigeration Systems
- HRA 250: Advanced Commercial Refrigeration
Advanced Commercial Refrigeration
- HRA 265: Residential Heating and Air Conditioning
Residential Heating and Air Conditioning
- HRA 270: Advanced Heating and Air Conditioning
Advanced Heating and Air Conditioning
- HRA 281: Heating, Refrigeration and A/C Capstone Assessment
Heating, Refrigeration and A/C Capstone Assessment
- HRA 290: Co-Operative Ed/Internship or Institutional Elective
Co-Operative Ed/Internship
- TEC 285: Occupational Seminar
Occupational Seminar
- Institutional Elective Credits: 3
Choose a course 100 level or higher from any area of study.
General Education Requirements – 19 Credit Hours
General Education Requirements – 19 Credit Hours
The Missouri Department of Higher Education has identified a common set of general education courses that have been adopted statewide. These courses are called the “CORE 42.” CORE 42 courses are guaranteed to transfer to any Missouri public college or university to satisfy general education requirements.
Courses in knowledge areas below, designated with the CORE 42 logo indicates courses in that area have been evaluated and provided a MOTR number for transfer to all Missouri public institutions of higher education.
Courses that do not have this designation may still transfer to public and private colleges and universities in Missouri and elsewhere, but students are encouraged to check the transfer equivalency website of the institution to which they plan to transfer to confirm.
Please refer to the MDHE Core Transfer Curriculum for detailed information on CORE 42 courses.
Mathematical Sciences – 3 Credit Hours
Mathematical Sciences – 3 Credit Hours
- TEC 108: Applied Technical Mathematics
Applied Technical Mathematics
- MTH 110: Intermediate Algebra
Intermediate Algebra
- MTH 128: Contemporary Mathematics
Contemporary Mathematics
- MTH 128S: Cont Mathematics with Support
Cont Mathematics with Support
- MTH 129: Introductory Statistics
Introductory Statistics
- MTH 130: Algebra for Calculus
Algebra for Calculus
- MTH 130S: Algebra for Calculus With Support
Algebra for Calculus With Support
- MTH 131: Trigonometry
Trigonometry
- MTH 138: Pre-Calculus Mathematics
Pre-Calculus Mathematics
- MTH 140: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
- MTH 141: Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
- MTH 210: Statistical Methods
Statistical Methods
- MTH 214: Discrete Mathematics
Discrete Mathematics
- MTH 215: Algebraic Structures
Algebraic Structures
- MTH 230: Linear Algebra
Linear Algebra
- MTH 240: Analytic Geometry and Calculus III
Analytic Geometry and Calculus III
- MTH 241: Differential Equations
Differential Equations
Written Communications – 3 Credit Hours
Written Communications – 3 Credit Hours
- ENG 101: Composition I
Composition I
or - ENG 100: Composition I With Support
Composition I With Support
- ENG 101: Composition I
- ENG 102: Composition II
Composition II
- ENG 150: Technical Writing
Technical Writing
Oral Communications – 3 Credit Hours
Oral Communications – 3 Credit Hours
- COM 100: Introduction to Communication
Introduction to Communication
- COM 105: Public Speaking
Public Speaking
- COM 200: Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Natural Sciences – 4 Credit Hours
Natural Sciences – 4 Credit Hours
- TES 140: Technical Physics
Technical Physics
- BCS 165: Human Anatomy
Human Anatomy
- BIO 100: Life Science
Life Science
- BIO 105: Environmental Science
Environmental Science
- BIO 160: General Biology I
General Biology I
- CHM 101: Introductory Chemistry
Introductory Chemistry
- PHY 105: Introduction to Physics
Introduction to Physics
- PHY 110: Introduction to Geology
Introduction to Geology
- PHY 115: Introduction to Astronomy
Introduction to Astronomy
- PHY 120: General Physics I
General Physics I
- PHY 220: Physics Engrs & Scientists I
Physics Engrs & Scientists I
- CHM 160: General Chemistry I
General Chemistry I
and - CHM 161: General Chemistry I Lab
General Chemistry I Lab
- CHM 160: General Chemistry I
Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 Credit Hours (include at least one Civics course, PLS 101 or HST 120 or HST 130)
Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 Credit Hours (include at least one Civics course, PLS 101 or HST 120 or HST 130)
- ANT 101: Introduction to Anthropology
Introduction to Anthropology
- ANT 220: Cultural Anthropology
Cultural Anthropology
- COM 150: Intro Mass Communication
Intro Mass Communication
- CRM 210: Intro to Criminal Justice
Intro to Criminal Justice
- ECO 270: Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECO 275: Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
- GRY 101: World Geography
World Geography
- HST 105: Ancient and Medieval World History
Ancient and Medieval World History
- HST 106: Modern World History
Modern World History
- HST 120: U.S. History I: to 1865
U.S. History I: to 1865
- HST 130: U.S. History II: 1865-Present
U.S. History II: 1865-Present
- PLS 101: American Government and Politics
American Government and Politics
- PLS 201: International Relations
International Relations
- PSY 110: Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Psychology
- PSY 130: Life Span Development Psychology
Life Span Development Psychology
- SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology
- SOC 210: Urban Sociology
Urban Sociology
- SOC 215: Deconstructing Social Problems
Deconstructing Social Problems
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Certificate
Certificate: 34 Hours
The demand for highly skilled technicians in the heating, air conditioning and refrigeration fields will continue to grow in the coming years. Students are exposed to the most technically advanced equipment and knowledge to stay abreast of the rapid changes that are taking place in the HVAC industry. Courses cover every aspect of the trade to give the student a comprehensive understanding of HVAC systems. Skills learned will allow the student to find many different types of entry level HVAC-related careers. This program is accredited by HVAC Excellence, PO Box 521, Mount Prospect, IL 60056 (800) 726-9696
Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Certificate Requirements
Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Certificate Requirements
- HRA 102: Basic Refrigeration Theory and Application
Basic Refrigeration Theory and Application
- HRA 103: Electricity for Heating, Refrigerant and A/C
Electricity for Heating, Refrigerant and A/C
- HRA 125: Refrigerants and Refrigerant Handling
Refrigerants and Refrigerant Handling
- HRA 135: Refrigeration Motors and Controls
Refrigeration Motors and Controls
- HRA 180: Air Distribution Systems
Air Distribution Systems
- HRA 245: Commercial Refrigeration Systems
Commercial Refrigeration Systems
- HRA 250: Advanced Commercial Refrigeration
Advanced Commercial Refrigeration
- HRA 265: Residential Heating and Air Conditioning
Residential Heating and Air Conditioning
- HRA 270: Advanced Heating and Air Conditioning
Advanced Heating and Air Conditioning
Locations Offered:
More Tools for Finding Your Path
Notices & Disclaimers
*Costs displayed are based on current tuition and fee rates for the program’s required credit hours, as approved by the OTC Board of Trustees, and are subject to change without notice. Estimates reflect both in-district and out-of-district residency rates. Actual costs, degree completion time, and credit requirements may vary based on residency, prior credits, elective courses, program updates, and enrollment factors. For additional information on attendance costs, visit Cost of Attendance, tuition and fees or contact us at 417-447-6900.
**Graduation rates vary by individual. For details on program enrollment, retention, exam/certification, and employment rates, visit Student Outcomes / Student Right-to-Know. Some careers on this list may require additional education and training. For program-specific accreditation visit OTC Accreditation.
