Accelerated Welding Program
Looking to start a new career in welding or advance your existing skillset? The accelerated Welding Program at Bucks County Community College gives you hands-on experience at our state-of-the-art facility in Bristol, PA. Offering introductory, intermediate and advanced sections, you can take one or all three levels. The curriculum is aligned with American Welding Society (AWS).
I am so glad I found this program. It was an enriching experience for me. As someone who has past experience in metalworking, this was the perfect class to get back into welding and learn more skills. Looking forward to Welding Level 2.
—Justin, Level 1 Welding Student
Course Offerings
Each level of the Welding Program is 16 weeks, 96 hours total. Each level counts as 4 college credits towards an Advanced Technology or Engineering Technology associates degree at Bucks. If you complete all three levels, you earn a total of 12 credits towards a degree. Tuition is $3300 for the 96 hour course. Payment is due IN FULL at time of registration. Debit card or credit card only.
Level 1 Begins June 2025 - Information Sessions are 4/29 OR 5/1 at 5pm.
Contact christine.harvie@bucks.edu to sign up for a mandatory information session. At the info session you will be interviewed and evaluated on your ability to perform safely and competently in a welding lab.
Level 2 Begins in June 2025
Contact christine.harvie@bucks.edu to get more information about entering the Level 2 class.
Class Schedule: 2 evenings a week
Classes are held at the Epstein Campus - Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT), 1302 Veterans Highway, Bristol, PA.
Entry Requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must have a High School Diploma or GED
- Pre-requisites for Levels 2 or 3 - either take Level 1 or test into next level
- Interview/test for ability to perform safely and competently in a welding lab
- Space is limited
- Registration on a first-come, first-served basis
Fundamentals of Welding
(Level 1)
*Must get a 90% on written safety test before being permitted to weld
- Introduction to the fundamentals of welding
- Welding Specific Safety
- Blueprint Reading
- Shop Math and Measurement
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
- Grinding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG/GMAW welding)
96 Hours
Tuition is $3,300 PLUS $164.40 for personal safety equipment and tools. Payment is due in full at time of registration. Debit card or credit card only.
Intermediate Welding
(Level 2)
- Welding Specific Safety
- Blueprint Reading
- Shop Math and Measurement
- Weld Joint Design
- Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
- Oxygen/Acetylene Cutting and Burning
- Plasma Arc Cutting
- Gas Tungsten & Arc Welding (GTAW/Tig)
96 Hours
Tuition is $3,300. Payment is due in full at time of registration. Debit card or credit card only.
Advanced Welding
(Level 3)
- Safety Review
- Blueprint Reading
- Shop Math and Measurement
- Plasma Table Operations
- Fabricating Techniques and Practices
- Testing and Inspection
96 Hours
Tuition is $3,300. There is a $164.40 fee for equipment, if necessary. Payment is due in full at time of registration. Debit card or credit card only.