Start Your Career: By the Numbers
Apply To This ProgramPathways for careers in stainless steel and structural welding.
Spark Your Future
Do you like working with your hands and building things? At Ozarks Tech, our Welding Technology program teaches you how to join metal parts and create strong, clean finishes using special tools and techniques.
In this hands-on program, you’ll learn how to:
- Weld stainless steel, aluminum, or carbon steel
- Use safety gear and read blueprints
- Search for jobs and prepare for the workplace
You’ll practice different welding methods, including: Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
You can choose a focus area based on your interests—either stainless/aluminum or carbon steel. Find jobs in metal finishing companies, manufacturing plants, fabrication shops and other industries that use welding.
Training takes place in our Springfield campus lab, which is certified by the American Welding Society (AWS)—so you know you’re learning the skills employers want.
Program Information
View 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.
Accreditation
The Springfield campus lab holds certification from the American Welding Society (AWS).
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
Industrial & Manufacturing Department Chair
417-447-6615
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.
Welding Technology – Stainless (A.A.S.)
A.A.S. Degree: 63 Hours
Location: Springfield Campus, Waynesville Center
This hands-on program provides skills-based instruction needed to secure jobs in the local stainless steel and aluminum welding industry. Coursework provides fundamental instruction in the major welding processes including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) along with training in safety, blueprint reading, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting and carbon arc cutting. Advanced welding classes will focus on GMAW and GTAW welding skills along with fabrication and finishing techniques to prepare the graduate for testing and certification for local stainless and aluminum fabrication shops. The Associate of Applied Science degree builds upon either the certificate welding courses or the WLD 230 Industrial Welding Specialist (20-week welding) program through additional instruction in welding inspection, advanced project construction, and general education classes. The lab facility at the Springfield campus is a certified Accredited Testing Facility by the American Welding Society (AWS) https://www.aws.org/, 8669 NW 36 Street #130, Miami, FL 33166-6672, (800) 443-9353.
Welding Technology – Stainless Certificate
Certificate: 32 Hours
Location: Springfield Campus, Waynesville Center
This hands-on program provides skills-based instruction needed to secure jobs in the local stainless steel and aluminum welding industry. Coursework provides fundamental instruction in the major welding processes including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) along with training in safety, blueprint reading, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting and carbon arc cutting. Advanced welding classes will focus on GMAW and GTAW welding skills along with fabrication and finishing techniques to prepare the graduate for testing and certification for local stainless and aluminum fabrication shops. For an expedited path to employment, students may also complete the WLD 230 Industrial Welding Specialist 20-week welding program. The lab facility at the Springfield campus is a certified Accredited Testing Facility by the American Welding Society (AWS) https://www.aws.org/, 8669 NW 36 Street #130, Miami, FL 33166-6672, (800) 443-9353.
Welding Technology – Structural (A.A.S.)
A.A.S.Degree – 63 Hours
Location: Springfield Campus, Waynesville Center
This hands-on program provides skills-based instruction needed to secure jobs in the local carbon steel industry. Coursework provides fundamental instruction in the major welding processes including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) along with training in safety, blueprint reading, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting and carbon arc cutting and gouging. Advanced welding classes will focus on SMAW and GMAW welding skills along with fabrication techniques to prepare the graduate for testing and certification for local carbon steel shops. The Associate of Applied Science degree builds upon the certificate welding courses through additional instruction in welding inspection, advanced project construction, and general education classes. The lab facility at the Springfield campus is a certified Accredited Testing Facility by the American Welding Society (AWS) https://www.aws.org/, 8669 NW 36 Street #130, Miami, FL 33166-6672, (800) 443-9353.
Welding Technology – Structural Certificate
Certificate: 32 Hours
Location: Springfield Campus, Waynesville Center
This hands-on program provides skills-based instruction needed to secure jobs in the local carbon steel industry. Coursework provides fundamental instruction in the major welding processes including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) along with training in safety, blueprint reading, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting and carbon arc cutting and gouging. Advanced welding classes will focus on SMAW and GMAW welding skills along with fabrication techniques to prepare the graduate for testing and certification for local carbon steel shops. The lab facility at the Springfield campus is a certified Accredited Testing Facility by the American Welding Society (AWS) https://www.aws.org/, 8669 NW 36 Street #130, Miami, FL 33166-6672, (800) 443-9353.
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.