Combination Welding

The Combination Welding program runs 33 weeks (about 8 months) as a sequence of five-week course blocks covering shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux-core, and gas tungsten arc welding across flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions, with the opportunity to earn OSHA and American Welding Society (AWS) certifications.

How tuition is calculated

Tuition is calculated based on a cost per credit and includes the use of equipment needed to complete the program. General Credit fees apply to credits attempted in the first and second academic years; Advanced Credit fees apply to credits attempted in the third and fourth academic years. Textbooks and tool kits are not included in the tuition but can be purchased through the school.

Financial assistance

The school is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a proprietary institution of higher education for participation in federal grant and loan programs. Eligibility requires that a student be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or permanent resident, and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Available programs include:

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Federal student loans (Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized and PLUS)

Federal Work-Study

Veterans' education benefits and military tuition assistance

Outside scholarships — the school will match, dollar for dollar, up to 10% of tuition, books and fees, the total of all outside scholarships received

Fees charged separately from tuition (where applicable)

$25 Application Fee (waived for veterans with proof of service)

$125 Administrative Fee; $12 Library Fee; $100 Security Fee

$25 per-credit Technology Fee for courses taken via distance education

Aviation programs: $1,550 Aviation Maintenance Lab Fee (third academic year); $425/academic year Aviation Maintenance Materials Fee; $1,900 Advancing Status Fee (final academic year); $175 avionics testing fee in AY2 of the AMTE program

Not all fees apply to all programs — see the student's Enrollment Agreement.

Licensure and accreditation at this campus

AIM Duluth is authorized by the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC), 2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220, Tucker, GA 30084-5313. AIM is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302, Arlington, VA 22201, (703) 247-4212.

Total program tuition $18,120 (24 credits at $755 per credit).

Graduates of the Combination Welding program are prepared for entry-level roles in metal fabrication and welding. Common career paths include:

• Combination Welder
• Structural Welder
• Metal Fabricator
• Pipe Welder

Graduates find opportunities across industries such as construction, manufacturing, aerospace, shipbuilding, and energy.

Educational and training objectives

Demonstrate appropriate safety measures according to OSHA and the EPA

Employ skills in blueprint reading, measurement, and calculating dimensions for manufacturing work orders

Practice procedures for metal grinding processes and plasma and oxy-fuel cutting

Demonstrate proficiency in machine setups, changing cylinders, cutting tips, and hoses; set up and operate portable and stationary oxyacetylene and propane

Set up amperage adjustments and voltage polarity prior to welding mild steel; strike an arc and produce stringer and weaver beads

Exhibit appropriate techniques to perform SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW welds

Campus facility

The Duluth, GA campus is housed in a facility of approximately 100,000 square feet on 16 acres. The facility boasts 30 large classrooms, a large LRC to support students’ needs, and three student break areas (inside and outside the building). There are also dedicated labs for avionics, advanced structures, welding and nondestructive testing courses. The aircraft hangar is approximately 61,000 square feet. Aircraft taxi space is available on site, as well as an indoor engine test cell for the testing of aircraft engines. There are 600 parking spaces for students, and the county bus system has a stop on the school property.

Across all AIM campuses

Campuses are Wi-Fi enabled, and all necessary learning resources are available on the school's intranet. Each campus offers various spaces for student recreation, relaxation, and study. Each year, Program Advisory Committees from the industries served review the campus facility, equipment, training aids, learning resources, and other aspects of the campus to provide input and guidance on improving the learning space for students.