Certificate in Wire Welding (FCAW, GMAW)
Riverside, USA
Certificate
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jul 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 514 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* per unit | for F-1 international students total estimated cost per year is $29,591
Key Summary
If you’re looking for a job that pays well and will always be challenging, welding offers a wide variety of choices. If you’d like even more responsibility someday, there’s plenty of room for growth. Welding Technology touches on every profession and industry that uses metal.
This certificate provides students with the technical knowledge and skill, in oxyacetylene cutting and FCAW/GMAW welding, to be able to enter into a welding career either in the field or shop environment. With these new skills, students will be able to obtain entry-level employment as a welder’s helper or in a shop production welding setting welding structural steel, parts of medium thickness, or sheet steel.
Financial Aid Support for Your Educational Goals
There are many types of financial aid available to you at RCC. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application is required for most financial aid forms. Types of financial aid include grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and student loans.
Federal Grants
- Federal Pell Grant (Part of FAFSA application)
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG - Part of FAFSA application)
State of California Grants
- California College Promise
- Cal Grant Program
- Student Success Completion Grant
- Chafee Grant Program for eligible foster youth and former foster youth
- California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP)
Riverside Community College District Scholarship
There are over 250 scholarships available to students through the RCCD Foundation, and only one application is needed to apply. If you are an admitted student at RCC and have a student email address, you can apply for scholarships offered by the RCCD Foundation.
CGACC-RCC International Student Scholarship
International Students at Riverside City College are welcome to apply for CGACC-RCC Scholarship. This scholarship is in the form of a tuition fee reduction estimated at $1,250. The application deadline for CGACC-RCC International Student Scholarship is July 25, and the results of the students selected are typically announced by August 6.
To be eligible for this award, the applicant must be a new or continuing international student who will study full-time at one of the RCCD colleges (Riverside City College, Norco College, or Moreno Valley College) on an F-1 Student Visa in the fall semester. Transfer students can also apply. New international students who apply for the scholarship must have a completed RCC international student application, submit all required documents, and receive an RCCD I-20.
Required Courses (9 units)
- WEL-75A --- Gas Metal Arc Welding --- 3
- WEL-75B --- Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) --- 3
- WEL-85A --- American Welding Society/Los Angeles City Welding I --- 3
or
- WEL-85B --- American Welding Society/Los Angeles City Welding II --- 3
This Program Pathway will allow a full-time student to complete this program in 8-12 months. For students who require a part-time pathway, please see a counselor for more information.
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and ability of beginning level of SMAW welding process, safety, and oxyacetylene cutting.
- Demonstrate knowledge and ability of the FCAW and GMAW welding processes, welding symbols, and safety.
- Differentiate between each of the welding processes used in the welding industry.
- Demonstrate knowledge of AWS welding codes.