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Program Overview
Students in the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Embedded Technical Diploma develop an understanding of interpreting engineering drawings or blueprints, fundamental skills setting up and operating Gas Metal Arc Welding equipment and math functions used in a welding manufacturing environment. Students develop skills learning and applying industry accepted safe working practices and communication strategies commonly used in a welding manufacturing environment. The knowledge and skills learned provide students a foundation for pursuing careers and/or further education in welding manufacturing or metal fabrication. As a student in the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) at Madison College, you will:
- Learn to follow safety work practices.
- Interpret drawings.
- Understand and apply basic welding symbols.
- Perform simple layout operations.
- Set-up and operate Gas Metal Arc Welding equipment and simple welding fit-up and tack welding functions.
- Weld in production environment.
Program Details
Students in the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) program can attend part time.
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:
- Truax
Careers
Earning your Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Embedded Technical Diploma at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as a:
- Maintenance Welder
- Qualified Welder
- Structural Welder
- Welder/Fabricator
- Production Welder
- Ironworker Apprentice
- Steamfitter Apprentice
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Program Courses
Here's a sample course sequence that shows how classes for full-time students are typically organized by semester.
Once you're admitted, your full curriculum and sequence—including any pre-requisites—is defined in your Degree Progress Report.
Courses10-449-100Safety for Industry
This course reviews basic safety standards as outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Designed for workers going into industrial occupations, it focuses on the hazard recognition and control process. Those who successfully complete the requirements set forth by OSHA will receive an OSHA 10-Hour General Industry completion card. Students may still pass the class without earning an OSHA card.1 credit10-606-200Interpreting Engineering Drawings
Focuses on the basic principles of engineering drawings and manufacturing processes. Through interpretation and sketching, students learn to visualize the part, section or assembly views. Students study isometric and orthographic views on a drawing. The student will also use drawings pertinent to the trades with examples in GD&T, welding, facilities, piping, sheet metal, equipment manuals, electrical symbols, and fluid power symbols.2 credits31-442-320Welding Occupational Development
The Welding Occupational Development class is designed to help students entering the welding and metal fabrication industry in the development of the necessary documents, attitudes and insights needed to find and secure employment. The course includes resume building, cover letters and follow-up documents, job searches, interviewing, workplace ethics and responsible employee behaviors. The course also includes information on Apprenticeships, career and financial planning and exploration of local businesses. This course requires the use of computer technology and assignments will be submitted in both a hard copy and electronic format.1 credit31-442-323Basic Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG)
Students in the Basic Gas Metal Arc Welding class concentrate on developing solid manipulative skills and a theoretical understanding of the GMAW and FCAW processes. Manual skills will be developed welding a variety of weld joints made of mild steel in the flat and horizontal positions. Theoretical understanding of the GMAW and FCAW welding processes will be gained through lecture, discussions, and tests/quizzes. Weld competencies using the GMAW process will be performed using Short Circuit, Globular, Axial Spray, and Pulsed Spray Modes of Metal Transfer, as well as one competency using the Flux-Core Arc Welding (FCAW) process. All welding competencies will be evaluated using American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 Structural Steel Welding Code visual inspection criteria.2 credits31-457-309Math for Metal Fabrication
Metal Fabrication Math is a review of basic mathematics that consists of an introduction to using a scientific calculator, order of operations, fractions, decimals, use of percentage, units of measurement including the metric system, the reading of analog instruments for length measurement, and practical plane geometry.1 credit -
How to Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Apply Now – Secure Your Spot!
This program has a limited number of seats available. We encourage early applications to secure your spot, but the program has not historically reached full capacity.
Application Dates
Fall 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2026
Spring 2027
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is January 15, 2027
Fall 2027
- Application available on October 15, 2026
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2027
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the program.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) career.
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Career Outcomes
Earning your Embedded Technical Diploma in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:
- Helpers—Production Workers.
- Entry level or helper roles in the manufacturing industry.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2023 2024 2025 Number of Program Graduates 43 47 41 Number of Surveys Sent 43 47 41 Number of Surveys Returned 26 26 28 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 20 17 23 Percent Available for Employment 76.9% 65.4% 82.1% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 23.1% 30.8% 17.9% Available for Employment
2023 2024 2025 Graduates Employed 17 15 20 Percent of Graduates Employed 85.0% 88.2% 87.0% Employed in Related Occupation 16 12 15 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 94.1% 80.0% 75.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 1 2 5 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 5.9% 13.3% 25.0% Employed - No Response 0 1 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 6.7% 0.0% Seeking Employment 3 2 3 Percent Seeking Employment 15.0% 11.8% 13.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2023 2024 2025 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.8 3.6 3.4 Number of Satisfaction Responses 21 20 25 Very Satisfied (4) 16 13 11 Percent Very Satisfied 76.2% 65.0% 44.0% Satisfied (3) 5 6 14 Percent Satisfied 23.8% 30.0% 56.0% Unsatisfied (2) 0 1 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 5.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2023 2024 2025 Number of Primary Reason Responses 26 26 28 Preparation for Getting a Job 14 10 14 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 53.8% 38.5% 50.0% Career Change 4 7 2 Percent Career Change 15.4% 26.9% 7.1% Improvement of Existing Skills 1 2 6 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 3.8% 7.7% 21.4% Preparation for Further Education 5 6 5 Percent Preparation for Further Education 19.2% 23.1% 17.9% Personal Interest 2 0 1 Percent Personal Interest 7.7% 0.0% 3.6% Other 0 1 0 Percent Other 0.0% 3.8% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2023 2024 2025 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 17 14 20 Before Enrollment 2 2 2 Percent Before Enrollment 11.8% 14.3% 10.0% While Attending the College 1 2 2 Percent While Attending the College 5.9% 14.3% 10.0% After Training at the College 14 10 16 Percent After Training at the College 82.4% 71.4% 80.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2023 2024 2025 Number of Employment Location Responses 17 16 20 In College District 14 13 15 Percent In College District 82.4% 81.3% 75.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 3 1 2 Percent of In Wisconsin 17.6% 6.3% 10.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 2 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 10.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 2 1 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 12.5% 5.0% Salary Trend 2023 2024 2025 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 13 10 13 Average Monthly Wage $4,176 $4,127 $4,323 Average Hourly Wage $24.28 $23.99 $25.13 Average Work Hours per Week 43.9 43.1 44.8 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count Average Hourly Wage Average Work Hours per Week -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2025 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Arcforce Welding Welder Brainerd MN Custom Fabricating and Repair (CFR) Road Crew Installer Marshfield Custom Metal, Inc Welder Dan Demont Welder/Metal Fabricator Pardeeville Drm Diversafab Welder Baraboo Food Process Systems Waterjet Operator Lodi Graber Manufacturing Welder Waunakee Integrated Process Engineers & Constructors Tig Welder/Fabricator Fort Atkinson La Crosse Sign Co Fabricator La Crosse Placon Corporation Tool Maker Ross Bumpers & Custom Welding Welder Fitchburg Sievert Crane & Hoist Overhead Crane Technician Forest Park IL Simply Manufacturing Welder Prairie Du Sac Unspecified Barn Renovator Middleton * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu
