Elgin, IL

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Elgin Community College

School type: Community College

Elgin Community College offers a four-semester Welding Fabrication Technology A.A.S., a four-semester vocational certificate, and basic vocational specialist certificates in general welding, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and pipe welding. Official curricula combine shop practice with welding theory, safety, blueprint interpretation, metallurgy, cutting, fabrication, and qualification testing. Depending on the credential, students train in Stick, MIG, TIG, Flux-Core, oxy-fuel, structural, and pipe welding. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are available, and expanded welding instruction is scheduled for the Manufacturing and Technology Center opening at the Spartan Drive campus in fall 2026.

School-wide Programs

This is the school-wide program catalog. Confirmed locations are listed for each program; programs are not necessarily offered at every campus.

Descriptions, credentials, costs, and schedules are school-level program listings. Confirm current campus schedules, costs, and included fees with the school. Duration is shown in its listed units; credits and training hours are not calendar completion times.

Gas Metal Arc - Basic Vocational Specialist

Credential: Basic Vocational Specialist Certificate
Program cost: Not listed
Processes: MIG, TIG, Stick, Flux-Core, Structural, Fabrication, Performance
GI Bill: Eligible
Program Length: 22 credits
AWS Prep: Available

Schedule: Certificate programs generally take 4-16 months; morning, afternoon, and evening classes

A 22-credit basic vocational specialist certificate centered on gas metal arc welding. Required courses… Read full description

A 22-credit basic vocational specialist certificate centered on gas metal arc welding. Required courses introduce oxy-fuel and Stick welding, add MIG and TIG lab work, develop all-position GMAW and FCAW skills on steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, and include advanced welding, blueprint reading, fabrication, and a GMAW qualification course. Students in the qualification course complete guided-bend tests toward a limited-thickness AWS D1.1 MIG welder certification.

Confirmed at

Spartan Drive Campus — Elgin, IL

Availability sources

Spartan Drive Campus — availability source

Welding Fabrication Technology, A.A.S.

Credential: Associate of Applied Science
Program cost: Not listed
Processes: MIG, TIG, Stick, Flux-Core, Pipe, Structural, Fabrication, Performance
Program Length: 62 credits
AWS Prep: Available

Schedule: Four semesters; morning, afternoon, and evening classes

A 62-credit, four-semester Associate of Applied Science combining welding and fabrication with industrial manufacturing and general education.… Read full description

A 62-credit, four-semester Associate of Applied Science combining welding and fabrication with industrial manufacturing and general education. Students progress through oxy-fuel, Stick, MIG, TIG, and advanced welding; study welding theory, power sources, metallurgy, cutting, blueprint interpretation, and fabrication; and complete either SMAW or GMAW qualification training. Electives can add MIG specialization or TIG, MIG, and Stick pipe welding.

Confirmed at

Spartan Drive Campus — Elgin, IL

Availability sources

Spartan Drive Campus — availability source

Welding - Vocational Specialist

Credential: Vocational Specialist Certificate
Program cost: Not listed
Processes: MIG, TIG, Stick, Structural, Fabrication, Performance
Program Length: 37 credits
AWS Prep: Available

Schedule: Four semesters; morning, afternoon, and evening classes

A 37-credit, four-semester vocational specialist certificate covering introductory through advanced welding, metallurgy, blueprint reading and… Read full description

A 37-credit, four-semester vocational specialist certificate covering introductory through advanced welding, metallurgy, blueprint reading and fabrication, industrial manufacturing, mathematics and communication. Required work includes oxy-fuel, Stick, MIG, and TIG processes, all-position welding, welding inspection concepts, and either the SMAW or GMAW qualification course.

Confirmed at

Spartan Drive Campus — Elgin, IL

Availability sources

Spartan Drive Campus — availability source

Welding - Basic Vocational Specialist

Credential: Basic Vocational Specialist Certificate
Program cost: Not listed
Processes: MIG, TIG, Stick, Structural, Fabrication, Performance
Program Length: 23 credits
AWS Prep: Available

Schedule: Certificate programs generally take 4-16 months; morning, afternoon, and evening classes

A 23-credit basic vocational specialist certificate covering introductory and advanced welding, metallurgy, industrial cutting, blueprint reading, and… Read full description

A 23-credit basic vocational specialist certificate covering introductory and advanced welding, metallurgy, industrial cutting, blueprint reading, and fabrication. Students receive lab exposure to oxy-fuel, Stick, MIG, and TIG welding and complete either the SMAW or GMAW qualification course.

Confirmed at

Spartan Drive Campus — Elgin, IL

Availability sources

Spartan Drive Campus — availability source

Shielded Metal Arc Welding - Basic Vocational Specialist

Credential: Basic Vocational Specialist Certificate
Program cost: Not listed
Processes: MIG, TIG, Stick, Structural, Fabrication, Performance
Program Length: 18 credits
AWS Prep: Available

Schedule: Certificate programs generally take 4-16 months; morning, afternoon, and evening classes

An 18-credit basic vocational specialist certificate focused on shielded metal arc welding and structural qualification. Required courses introduce… Read full description

An 18-credit basic vocational specialist certificate focused on shielded metal arc welding and structural qualification. Required courses introduce oxy-fuel, Stick, MIG, and TIG processes, advance students to all-position welding, add blueprint reading and fabrication, and culminate in SMAW guided-bend testing toward limited-thickness AWS D1.1 certification.

Confirmed at

Spartan Drive Campus — Elgin, IL

Availability sources

Spartan Drive Campus — availability source

Pipe Welding - Basic Vocational Specialist

Credential: Basic Vocational Specialist Certificate
Program cost: Not listed
Processes: MIG, TIG, Stick, Pipe, Structural, Performance
Program Length: 20.5 credits
AWS Prep: Available

Schedule: Launches fall 2026; certificate programs generally take 4-16 months; morning, afternoon, and evening classes

A 20.5-credit basic vocational specialist certificate launching in fall 2026 for industrial, structural, and process-piping work. The plan includes… Read full description

A 20.5-credit basic vocational specialist certificate launching in fall 2026 for industrial, structural, and process-piping work. The plan includes foundational oxy-fuel, Stick, MIG, and TIG study; advanced welding or GMAW qualification; an SMAW qualification course; GTAW/GMAW pipe welding; and SMAW pipe welding on carbon steel in multiple positions.

Confirmed at

Spartan Drive Campus — Elgin, IL

Availability sources

Spartan Drive Campus — availability source

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