Structural and Pipe Welding is a Certificate program offered by Elite Welding Academy in Cincinnati, OH. The program takes 1000 clock hours / 26 weeks day or 44 weeks night to complete, with a total tuition of $15,180.
Program Overview
Elite Welding Academy’s Structural and Pipe Welding Training Program is designed to train individuals for a successful career in pipe welding, structural welding and manufacturing welding. It is a combination program that includes training in multiple processes, including both carbon and stainless steel pipe, and graduates earn qualifications in Stick, TIG, MIG and FluxCore.
Students learn all areas of welding safety, welding equipment set-up, welding equipment maintenance, and welding procedures in SMAW, GTAW, GMAW and FCAW, which are discussed, demonstrated and practiced. The program is measured in clock hours and divided into four sessions of 250 clock hours each, for a total of 1,000 hours: 165.5 lecture hours and 834.5 lab hours. The only prerequisite is proof of a high school diploma or GED, and steel-toed boots are required. Upon successful completion, students are awarded a Certificate of Completion for the Structural and Pipe Welding Training Program.
What sets this Program apart
Elite Welding Academy’s instructors are all former field pipe welders with years of experience, and the school keeps a student-to-instructor ratio of 18:1 so each student gets individualized attention. OSHA 10 training is incorporated in every course, and students who complete the course requirements early are given advanced work to help them reach the job they want.
- A six-month course with less study time, a more focused curriculum and hands-on learning.
- About 90% of each programme takes place in the lab, and the materials cage is always full — the school wants students burning rods every day.
- The Cincinnati campus has over 7,000 square feet of lab, office and classroom space with 54 dedicated welding booths, plus cutting, grinding and prep areas; booths are equipped with the latest welding power sources, tables and fixtures, with carbon and stainless-steel consumables on hand.
- The South Point campus offers booths and simulator spaces, a dedicated classroom for lectures and demonstrations, and cutting, grinding and preparation areas.
- Every Elite location is an AWS Accredited Test Facility offering weld testing, weld procedure writing and weld procedure training, and all of the school’s CWIs have field welding experience.
- Placement support continues throughout your welding career.
Admission Requirements and Process
To be admitted to Elite Welding Academy you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age, or turn 18 before the end of the programme (identification and the signature of a parent or guardian are then required).
- Submit proof of a high school diploma or GED.
- Be in good physical condition, as welding is a physical activity.
- Be serious about pursuing a career in welding and be able to read, write and understand English.
It is strongly advised that your vision be evaluated and corrected before the programme’s start date. This is not a requirement, but it will help you succeed in your welding programme.
Physical impairment does not preclude admission. Individuals with disabilities should consult their physician and the school director to determine whether the training requirements can be accomplished, and Elite will assist with reasonable accommodation where possible so a qualified student with a disability has equal access to a course, programme, service or activity. Drug testing is not currently required for admission.
General Requirements
- Minimum ageYou must be at least 18 years old, or turn 18 before the end of the programme with a parent or guardian’s signature.
- High school diploma or GEDYou must provide proof of a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Good physical conditionYou must be in good physical condition, as welding is a physical activity.
- EnglishYou should be able to read, write and understand English.
- Vision check (recommended)It is strongly advised, but not required, that your vision be tested and corrected before the start date.
- Safety bootsYou must attend the first day of class with steel- or composite-toed boots and proper clothing.
Application Process
- 1Submit an application and tour the campusAfter you submit your application, a representative will contact you to arrange a tour of the facility; if distance prevents a visit, a representative will guide you through admissions with a virtual tour.
- 2Complete the FAFSA if you want aidComplete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov using Elite’s school code 042067; the financial aid office contacts you once your FAFSA is received. Allow six weeks or more for the financial aid process.FAFSA Code for Cincinnati Campus: 042067
- 3Hold your space in a classOnce accepted, complete the enrollment form, pay the $100 admission fee and provide a copy of your high school diploma or GED. Enrollment must be initiated at least two weeks before the start date.
- 4Finish your paperwork before day oneRead and sign the Student Disclosure forms, provide your first session payment if applicable, and complete all financial aid, VA or sponsoring-agency documents.
- 5Start classGet safety boots (steel or composite toed) and proper clothing, arrange reliable transportation, and attend class on your scheduled first day. Classes start in January, March, May, July, September and November.
Program Schedule
Day class meets Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Friday hours can vary), for about 40 hours per week over approximately 26 weeks.
Night class meets Monday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., 24 hours per week, over approximately 44 weeks.
The number of hours per week may vary with the holiday schedule. The school observes New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
2026 start dates (Cincinnati and South Point):
- Day class: January 12 (ends July 10, 2026); March 9 (ends September 8, 2026); May 11 (ends November 6, 2026); July 13 (ends January 15, 2027); September 14 (ends March 18, 2027); November 9 (ends May 14, 2027).
- Night class: January 12 (ends November 3, 2026); March 9 (ends January 4, 2027); May 11 (ends March 9, 2027); July 13 (ends May 11, 2027); September 14 (ends July 12, 2027); November 9 (ends September 8, 2027).
Additional start dates may be available in February, April, June, August, October and December; check with each campus. Enrollment must be initiated at least two weeks before each start date, or six weeks or more if you are applying for financial aid.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Costs. Tuition is $3,795 per 250-hour session. Tools are $1,217.64 for Sessions 1–2 and $808.85 for Sessions 3–4; supplies are $1,390.91, $1,548.00, $1,586.02 and $1,908.00 for Sessions 1–4. The total for tuition, tools and supplies with the $100 admission fee is $23,739.42. The tools are yours to keep and will be needed in the field. Costs will not change once you have enrolled.
Payment. Full payment for each session is due before it starts. Payment plans are available for quarterly payments in increments of 7 or 10 weeks, and each out-of-pocket term may be paid in two installments. Accepted methods: cash, check, VA, WIOA, FA (Title IV), DOE, money order, and credit/debit card via PayPal.
Financial aid. Elite offers Federal Pell Grants and federal student loans through the FAFSA (Title IV code 042067 for both campuses), and Parent PLUS loans up to the cost of attendance for parents of dependent students. Over 90% of students who applied for financial aid in recent years received an award offer. Elite is approved for veterans’ benefits, works with WIOA offices in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Indiana, and lists Lumion as an alternative loan option.
Scholarships. High school welding competition scholarships (up to $2,000, applied to the fourth session of this program), United Group Services scholarships, and outside scholarships such as the American Welding Society’s $1,000 Welder Training Scholarship.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name |
|---|---|
Career Outcomes
The program trains individuals for pipe welding in the commercial and industrial industries, structural welding for the commercial and industrial industries, and manufacturing welding. Graduates may find employment in weld shops, manufacturing/production facilities and commercial/industrial construction. Pipe welders can be found working in power plants, chemical plants, gas and oil pipelines, shipyards, highway infrastructure, water companies and new building construction, and seasoned pipe welders also teach in career-technical centers.
Placement assistance. Elite cannot guarantee employment or a starting rate of pay, but all graduates are entitled to placement assistance. Staff seek job openings for current and past graduates, post leads in the classroom and email graduates, and help with resumes, interview preparation and job-search strategies. Graduates are invited back to practice for employment weld tests, with five free booth rental days and heavily discounted booth rental rates. Placement rates vary by location; call 888-272-3809 for placement statistics.
What to expect as a Elite Welding Academy student
Hands-on training. About 90% of the program takes place in the lab. Classes have a maximum of 54 students with a student-to-instructor ratio of 18 to 1, and the curriculum is based on NCCER standardized curricula developed by industry for the industry.
Tools. Your tool kit — including a welding hood, grinder, electrode holder and leads, gloves, weld jacket and tool bag for Sessions 1–2, and a TIG torch, argon flow meter and TIG consumables for Sessions 3–4 — is your property. Due to OSHA and school safety standards you must use the approved tools and PPE, and keep them maintained to OSHA standards.
Grading. NCCER module grades are recorded as a percentage, and you must keep 70% or above on each module. You must also pass hands-on welding tests graded by a Certified Welding Inspector.
Certificate. To receive the Certificate of Completion you must score 3 or above on the CWI scale on each end-of-term weld test (based on AWS certification test standards), pass all NCCER module tests at 70% or above, miss no more than 10% (100 hours) of training, and meet your financial obligations to the school.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Elite Welding Academy is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and the State of Ohio Board of Career Colleges and Schools. It is also approved by the Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education, the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education and the Indiana Office for Career and Technical Schools.
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Cincinnati Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Curriculum
The syllabus follows NCCER standardized modules across four 250-hour sessions (165.5 classroom and 834.5 lab hours in all). Each session ends with a hands-on welding test: a 3/8” open-V plate test in 3G and 4G, a 6” Schedule 40 carbon steel 6G SMAW pipe weld, a 2” Schedule 80 carbon steel 6G GTAW pipe weld, and a 2” Schedule 10 stainless steel 6G GTAW pipe weld. Students can earn an AWS D1.1 structural steel welder performance qualification; pipe welds are evaluated to the ASME code, though no ASME qualification record is issued.
| NCCER module | Title | Class hours | Lab hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 – Session 1 | |||
| 29101 | Welding Safety | 10 | |
| 29102 | Oxyfuel Cutting | 6 | 10 |
| 29105 | Base Metal Preparation | 4 | 7.5 |
| 29107 | SMAW – Equipment and Setup | 3 | 2 |
| 29108 | SMAW – Electrodes and Selection | 2.5 | |
| 29109 | SMAW – Beads and Fillet Welds | 5 | 115 |
| 29112 | SMAW – Open V-Groove Welds | 4 | 76 |
| Hands-on welding test: Structural Plate Test, Open-V Groove 3/8” plate – 3G and 4G (5 hours of practice and testing). Session total: 34.5 class / 215.5 lab = 250 clock hours. | |||
| Term 1 – Session 2 | |||
| Welding and Construction Safety | 15 | ||
| 29110 | Joint Fit-Up and Alignment | 10 | |
| 29301 | SMAW – Open-Root Pipe Welds | 10 | 185 |
| 29106 | Weld Quality | 10 | |
| OSHA Construction Safety and Health Certification Class | 10 | ||
| Hands-on welding test: 6” Schedule 40 carbon steel 6G SMAW pipe weld (10 hours of practice and testing). Session total: 55 class / 195 lab = 250 clock hours. | |||
| Term 2 – Session 3 | |||
| Welding and Construction Safety | 10 | ||
| 29207 | GTAW – Equipment and Filler Materials | 8 | 40 |
| 29208 | GTAW – Plate | 4 | 60 |
| 29304 | GTAW – Carbon Steel Pipe | 8 | 100 |
| 29201 | Welding Symbols | 5 | |
| 29202 | Reading Welding Detail Drawings | 5 | |
| Hands-on welding test: 2” Schedule 80 carbon steel 6G GTAW pipe weld (10 hours of practice and testing). Session total: 40 class / 210 lab = 250 clock hours. | |||
| Term 2 – Session 4 | |||
| Welding and Construction Safety | 10 | ||
| 29203 | Physical Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Metals | 8 | |
| 29204 | Preheating and Post-weld Heat Treatment of Metals | 8 | |
| 29205 | GMAW and FCAW – Equipment and Filler Metals | 8 | 2 |
| 29209 | GMAW – Plate | 2 | 35 |
| 29210 | FCAW – Plate | 2 | 36 |
| 29305 | GTAW – Low-Alloy and Stainless-Steel Pipe | 8 | 121 |
| Hands-on welding test: 2” Schedule 10 stainless steel 6G GTAW pipe weld (10 hours of practice and testing). Session total: 46 class / 204 lab = 250 clock hours. | |||
Other Programs at Cincinnati Campus
Elite Welding Academy in Cincinnati, OH also offers this program at 4670 Dues Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45246.