Welding Fundamentals certificate

Welding Fundamentals

Program Number: 904422CERT

Your Degree: Certificate

Estimated Time to Complete: 7 Credits | Finish in 1 semester

Delivery Method: 100% In Person

Area of Study: Construction, Manufacturing and Maintenance

Estimated Program Cost: $1,420.09

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Program Overview
The Welding Fundamentals Certificate provides you with the fundamental skills and knowledge you need to get started in the welding industry.
With this certificate, you can pick your path based on the type of welding you’d like to do. You’ll start with classes every welder needs and then choose your area of focus.
Welding Focus Areas
Choose between Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), or Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW).
GMAW is the most common industrial welding process used in welding and metal fabrication industries. GMAW is used widely for production welding applications and is considered the easiest welding process to become proficient at performing.
With this skill, you can find employment welding in a production environment in a manufacturing setting.
SMAW is used widely in construction, pipeline and maintenance. SMAW is highly portable and requires more time to become proficient at.
Get the skills needed to enter an apprenticeship with the Ironworkers or Steamfitters. SMAW is also valuable for anyone wanting to work in the maintenance and repair fields.
GTAW is for work on specialized materials such as stainless steel, aluminum or chromoly tubing or an environment where a high degree of accuracy is needed. GTAW is considered the most challenging welding process to become proficient at performing.
You can find employment working on food processing and pharmaceutical equipment manufacturing, motorsports and custom automotive fabrication and repair, or any industry that works with specialized materials or requires high accuracy/precision.
Welding Fundamentals Certificate Details
Students studying welding can attend full or part-time.
Welding classes may be offered at the Madison College Truax, Fort Atkinson, and Portage campuses.
Welding Careers
Earning your Welding Fundamentals certificate will prepare you for a variety of entry-level jobs, such as:
Entry Level Welder
Production Welder
Maintenance Welder
Ironworker Apprenticeship
Structural Welder
After completing the Welding Fundamentals Certificate, you'll have the skills needed to pass American Welding Society (AWS) and State of Wisconsin Structural Steel Welding Certification.
Interested in learning a variety of welding types?
Take a look at our Welding technical diploma.
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.
Required Courses:
10-449-100
Safety 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 credit
10-606-200
Interpreting 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 credits
31-442-320
Welding 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 credit
Select one of the following:
31-457-309
Math 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
32-420-711
Math for the Machine Trades
Provides applied mathematics instruction from a review of basic arithmetic; basic algebra; applications, based on geometry; right triangle trigonometry.
2 credits
31-804-379
Vocational Math 1
Vocational Mathematics 1 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
Select one welding option:
31-442-315
Basic Arc (SMAW)
Students in this course will develop manipulative skills on all types of joints in the flat position using shielded metal arc welding electrodes on mild steel. Welding techniques used for structural, pipe and maintenance welding will be developed.
2 credits
31-442-318
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding 1 (GTAW/TIG)
Emphasis is placed on gas tungsten arc welding (TIG) techniques of carbon steel, stainless steel, and Aluminum. Development of skills and techniques on all types of joints in flat and horizontal positions.
2 credits
How to Apply
Earning a certificate is a great way to expand your skill set and add professionalism to your resume. Applications are always open, 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.
Application Dates
There are no admission requirements for this certificate. Simply submit your application by the deadline for each term.
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
Additional Notes
Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid.
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a certificate does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the certificate.
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 Welding Fundamentals career.
It's Free to Apply
Career Outcomes

Technical Welding Skills
Demonstrate knowledge, set-up and correct operation of commonly used welding equipment.
Safety Awareness
Apply and demonstrate safe working practices and techniques that comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, local requirements and established industry safety practices.
Basic Blueprint Reading Skills
Read, interpret and apply information commonly found on blueprints used in the welding industry. Correctly interpret dimensions, welding symbols and other information commonly found on blueprints used in the welding industry.
Employability Skills and Practices
Demonstrate abilities that contribute to employment by displaying flexibility, self-motivation, time efficiency, effective written and oral communication, and contributing to work team success.
Career Advancement Skills and Personal Initiative
Demonstrate career advancement skills by engaging in problem solving, time management and shop management practices.