Looking to bond with your job? Welding is the hottest and coolest way to do it. We’ll get you out there after one semester of study.
Gas Metal Arc Welding GMAW Image of Student
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
net price calculator sketch
What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$1,338.18
  • 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 2024-2025 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
    1 credit
    10-606-200
    2 credits
    31-457-309
    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

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2024

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025

    Fall 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025

    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

    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) 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

    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.

     

    apply for admission

    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

      202120222023
      Number of Program Graduates223743
      Number of Surveys Sent223743
      Number of Surveys Returned21926
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment17120
      Percent Available for Employment81.0%11.1%76.9%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market14.3%77.8%23.1%
      Available for Employment

      202120222023
      Graduates Employed16117
      Percent of Graduates Employed94.1%100.0%85.0%
      Employed in Related Occupation15116
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation93.8%100.0%94.1%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation101
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation6.3%0.0%5.9%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment103
      Percent Seeking Employment5.9%0.0%15.0%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202120222023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.843.8
      Number of Satisfaction Responses19121
      Very Satisfied (4)16116
      Percent Very Satisfied84.2%100.0%76.2%
      Satisfied (3)305
      Percent Satisfied15.8%0.0%23.8%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202120222023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses21826
      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 Other0.0%0.0%0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202120222023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses16117
      Before Enrollment102
      Percent Before Enrollment6.3%0.0%11.8%
      While Attending the College711
      Percent While Attending the College43.8%100.0%5.9%
      After Training at the College8014
      Percent After Training at the College50.0%0.0%82.4%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202120222023
      Number of Employment Location Responses17217
      In College District16114
      Percent In College District94.1%50.0%82.4%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District003
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.0%0.0%17.6%
      Outside of Wisconsin000
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown110
      Percent Location Unknown5.9%50.0%0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202120222023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count12113
      Average Monthly Wage$3,516$5,706$4,176
      Average Hourly Wage$20.44$33.18$24.28
      Average Work Hours per Week41.140.043.9
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count1
      Average Hourly Wage$40.00
      Average Work Hours per Week30.0
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Badger Diversified MetalsWelder
      Custom Metal, IncMetal Fabricator/Welder/Finisher
      EK Machine, IncWelderFall River
      Electronic Theatre Controls IncWelderMiddleton
      Fox Valley ElevatorWelderSherwood
      Global Power ComponentsIndustrial EngineerMilwaukee
      Integrated Process Engineers & ConstructorsWelder FabricatorFort Atkinson
      J P CullenApprentice Ironworker
      Midwest Cremation ServiceShop WorkerPoynette
      ProMetal WorksWelderDeForest
      Sani-Matic SystemsTIG WelderSun Prairie
      Sub-Zero Freezer Co, IncWelder/FinisherFitchburg
      United AlloyWelderJanesville

      * - 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

Ready to get started?
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)