Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Technical Diploma

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

Program Number: 304425

Your Degree:

Technical Diploma

Area of Study:

Construction, Manufacturing and Maintenance

Delivery Method:

100% In Person

Estimated Time to Complete:

7 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 semester

What You'll Pay

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Estimated Program Cost

$1,338.68

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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:
Portage
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
Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 202-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
Courses
10-449-100
Safety for Industry
1 credit
10-606-200
Interpreting Engineering Drawings
2 credits
31-442-320
Welding Occupational Development
1 credit
31-442-323
Basic Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG)
2 credits
31-457-309
Math for Metal Fabrication
1 credit
Admission
To Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.
Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.
Application Dates
Spring 2025
Application open
Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025
Fall 2025
Application open
Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025
Spring 2026
Application open
Application completion deadline is April 15, 2026
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
Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
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.
It's Free to Apply

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.

Graduate Summary

Graduate Report Summary Overview
Count Percents	2021	2022	2023
Number of Program Graduates	22	37	43
Number of Surveys Sent	22	37	43
Number of Surveys Returned	21	9	26
Percent of Surveys Returned
Available for Employment	17	1	20
Percent Available for Employment	81.0%	11.1%	76.9%
Not in Labor Market
Percent Not in Labor Market	14.3%	77.8%	23.1%

Available for Employment
Count Percents	2021	2022	2023
Graduates Employed	16	1	17
Percent of Graduates Employed	94.1%	100.0%	85.0%
Employed in Related Occupation	15	1	16
Percent Employed in Related Occupation	93.8%	100.0%	94.1%
Employed in Unrelated Occupation	1	0	1
Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation	6.3%	0.0%	5.9%
Employed - No Response	0	0	0
Percent Employed - No Response	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Seeking Employment	1	0	3
Percent Seeking Employment	5.9%	0.0%	15.0%

Reaction To Training at Madison College
Count Percents	2021	2022	2023
Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)	3.8	4	3.8
Number of Satisfaction Responses	19	1	21
Very Satisfied (4)	16	1	16
Percent Very Satisfied	84.2%	100.0%	76.2%
Satisfied (3)	3	0	5
Percent Satisfied	15.8%	0.0%	23.8%
Unsatisfied (2)	0	0	0
Percent Unsatisfied	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Very Unsatisfied (1)
Percent Very Unsatisfied	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
Count Percents	2021	2022	2023
Number of Primary Reason Responses	21	8	26
Preparation for Getting a Job
Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
Career Change
Percent Career Change
Improvement of Existing Skills
Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
Preparation for Further Education
Percent Preparation for Further Education
Personal Interest
Percent Personal Interest
Other
Percent Other	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

When Employment was Obtained
Count Percents	2021	2022	2023
Number of When Employment Obtained Responses	16	1	17
Before Enrollment	1	0	2
Percent Before Enrollment	6.3%	0.0%	11.8%
While Attending the College	7	1	1
Percent While Attending the College	43.8%	100.0%	5.9%
After Training at the College	8	0	14
Percent After Training at the College	50.0%	0.0%	82.4%

Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
Count Percents	2021	2022	2023
Number of Employment Location Responses	17	2	17
In College District	16	1	14
Percent In College District	94.1%	50.0%	82.4%
In Wisconsin, Not in District	0	0	3
Percent of In Wisconsin	0.0%	0.0%	17.6%
Outside of Wisconsin	0	0	0
Percent Outside Wisconsin	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Employer Location Unknown	1	1	0
Percent Location Unknown	5.9%	50.0%	0.0%

Salary Trend
Salary Trend		2021	2022	2023
Full Time Employment (Related Job)	Full Time Salary Count	12	1	13
	Average Monthly Wage	$3,516	$5,706	$4,176
	Average Hourly Wage	$20.44	$33.18	$24.28
	Average Work Hours per Week	41.1	40.0	43.9
Part Time Employment (Related Job)	Part Time Salary Count	1
	Average Hourly Wage	$40.00
	Average Work Hours per Week	30.0

Graduate Employers

Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
Employer(s)	Job Title	City*
Badger Diversified Metals	Welder
Custom Metal, Inc	Metal Fabricator/Welder/Finisher
EK Machine, Inc	Welder	Fall River
Electronic Theatre Controls Inc	Welder	Middleton
Fox Valley Elevator	Welder	Sherwood
Global Power Components	Industrial Engineer	Milwaukee
Integrated Process Engineers & Constructors	Welder Fabricator	Fort Atkinson
J P Cullen	Apprentice Ironworker
Midwest Cremation Service	Shop Worker	Poynette
ProMetal Works	Welder	DeForest
Sani-Matic Systems	TIG Welder	Sun Prairie
Sub-Zero Freezer Co, Inc	Welder/Finisher	Fitchburg
United Alloy	Welder	Janesville

* - 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

Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!

Contact the School of Technologies and Trades

Madison Truax Campus
Main Building, A2105

1701 Wright Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

tandt@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.6800

Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (phone or email only)

Program Overview

Program Details

Careers

Curriculum and Experience

Admission

Career Outcomes

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