Emerald Coast Technical College

Welding Technology

Main Campus
DeFuniak Springs, FL
Certificate · On Campus
Welding Technology
Emerald Coast Technical College is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
In person at the Main Campus, 761 N. 20th Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL.
Tuition is $3,066 for Florida residents for the 1,050 clock hours (2026-2027 in-state clock-hour rate).
Tuition = 1,050 clock hours x $2.92 per clock hour (the College's 2026-2027 Florida-resident CTE rate, catalog p.76); lab fees = 1,050 x $2.25 per clock hour (catalog p.78). The total is the program page's printed Tuition & Fees (In-State) $6,533.20 plus its printed Books & Supplies $900 (Total Estimated Direct Cost $7,433.20).
1,050 clock hours, approximately 36 weeks.
The general application is free; a $60.00 non-refundable registration fee is charged for each new program of enrollment.
Federal Pell Grant and other aid are available to eligible students (federal school code 041462); ECTC does not offer student loans.

Welding Technology is a Certificate program offered by Emerald Coast Technical College in DeFuniak Springs, FL. The program takes 1,050 clock hours (approximately 36 weeks) to complete, with a total tuition of $3,066. Tuition = 1,050 clock hours x $2.92 per clock hour (the College's 2026-2027 Florida-resident CTE rate, catalog p.76); lab fees = 1,050 x $2.25 per clock hour (catalog p.78). The total is the program page's printed Tuition & Fees (In-State) $6,533.20 plus its printed Books & Supplies $900 (Total Estimated Direct Cost $7,433.20).

Program Overview

Welding Technology – 1,050 hours. The content includes but is not limited to planning, management, finance, technical and product skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety, and environmental issues. After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

  • Apply basic shop skills
  • Apply basic oxyfuel gas cutting principles and practice
  • Apply basic shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) skills
  • Apply intermediate oxyfuel gas cutting principles and practices
  • Apply intermediate shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) skills
  • Apply drawing and welding symbol interpretation skill
  • Identify basic metals accurately
  • Demonstrate arc cutting principles and practices
  • Apply basic gas metal arc welding (GMAW) skills
  • Apply intermediate gas metal arc welding (GMAW) skills
  • Apply flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) skills
  • Apply basic gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) skills
  • Apply intermediate gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) skills
  • Fabricate and weld carbon steel pipe joints and stainless steel pipe joints

Offered at. Main Campus (DeFuniak Springs).

What sets this Program apart

Industry certification. Industry certification: AWS - Certified Welder.

Completion and placement, 2025. Completion - 92%; Placement - 70%.

Money-Back Guarantee. This program is eligible for Florida’s Money-Back Guarantee Program at ECTC.

Admission Requirements and Process

Who may enroll. Students who have attained the age of 16 years, are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance, and who meet one or more of the following requirements may enroll in most Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs: a valid standard high school diploma; a GED® or other recognized equivalent of a high school diploma; a special diploma (specific provisions and restrictions apply); special admission provisions for persons with disabilities; a home-education affidavit; previously demonstrated competency in college credit/postsecondary coursework; or dual enrollment under F.S. 1007.271.

Transcripts. Students must provide documentation of the award of the valid standard high school diploma, GED®, or other recognized equivalent through official transcripts. Until ECTC receives official transcripts, the student is admitted on a provisional/conditional basis, and no financial aid will be disbursed.

Basic skills testing. Students who are enrolling in CTE programs over 450 hours in length and who do not meet certain exemption requirements should present current basic skills test scores (less than one year old). Students are required to attain appropriate exit scores before a certificate of program completion can be awarded.

Limited access programs. Limited access programs such as practical nursing, IT programs (at the main campus) and cosmetology require a student interview with career program staff prior to admission to the program. Waiting lists are maintained for some limited access programs and students may register and enroll only after receiving the appropriate program acceptance letter.

General Requirements

  • Age
    Students must be at least 16 years of age and beyond the age of compulsory school attendance.
  • High school diploma or equivalent
    Provide a valid standard high school diploma, GED® or other recognized equivalent through official transcripts, or meet another of the College’s admission provisions.
  • Basic skills
    Programs over 450 hours require current basic skills test scores unless an exemption applies; this program’s basic skills level is 9 in Communications (Reading and Language Arts)…
  • Florida residency
    Complete residency paperwork and provide 2 supporting documents; in general, legal residence in Florida for a minimum period of 12 months immediately preceding the initial date of…
  • Online orientation
    All students are required to complete online orientation.

Application Process

  1. 1
    Complete online orientation
    Complete Orientation/General Information Session. All students are required to complete online orientation, which includes financial aid, admissions, registration, and program offerings.
  2. 2
    Complete the general application
    There is no cost for submitting the general school application. This application informs Admissions that you are interested in attending ECTC.
  3. 3
    Send transcripts and residency documents
    Request that official high school and any college transcripts be sent directly to ECTC, and complete residency paperwork with 2 supporting documents.
  4. 4
    Complete required testing
    Complete appropriate testing (basic skills if no exemption applies). Testing is available by appointment only at the main campus.
  5. 5
    Complete the FAFSA
    Complete your free financial aid application (FAFSA) using ECTC’s federal school code 041462.
    FAFSA Code for Main Campus: 041462
    FAFSA
  6. 6
    Register and pay
    Complete registration for classes, pay registration fees and the parking fee if needed, then pay tuition & fees and purchase textbooks and supplies.

Program Schedule

Class offerings at the Main Campus (DeFuniak Springs).

  • Full time (Monday - Thursday): 8:00AM - 4:00PM
  • Part time (Monday - Thursday): 8:00AM - 11:45AM, 12:15PM - 4:00PM, or 5:00PM - 9:00PM

Length. 1,050 clock hours, approximately 36 weeks.

Clock-hour schedule. Emerald Coast Technical College provides postsecondary career education on a clock-hour schedule. Full-time enrollment in a period may range from 450/525 clock hours to over 675 clock hours in limited-access, cohort-based programs (e.g., practical nursing).

Required Courses

Subject #Name
PMT0070Welder Assistant 1
PMT0071Welder Assistant 2
PMT0072Welder, SMAW 1
PMT0073Welder, SMAW 2
PMT0074Welder
Totals

Campus Location

Main Campus
761 N. 20th Street
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433

Why Accreditation Is Important

Emerald Coast Technical College and Emerald Coast Technical College @ Magnet Innovation Center - Watersound are accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE). Emerald Coast Technical College is accredited by Cognia.

Programs are approved and regulated by the Florida Department of Education.

Accreditations

Council on Occupational Education (COE)

Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information

Cost and Financial Aid Information is an estimate for general reference only. It is not an offer or guarantee of financial aid or of any price, and what a School charges you may differ.
Total Program Tuition
≈ $3,066
Total Program Cost
≈ $7,433.2
Tuition = 1,050 clock hours x $2.92 per clock hour (the College's 2026-2027 Florida-resident CTE rate, catalog p.76); lab fees = 1,050 x $2.25 per clock hour (catalog p.78). The total is the program page's printed Tuition & Fees (In-State) $6,533.20 plus its printed Books & Supplies $900 (Total Estimated Direct Cost $7,433.20).
FAFSA Code
Net Price Calculator

Direct program costs (2026-2027). Welding Technology – 1,050 Clock Hours / 36 Weeks: Tuition & Fees (In-State) $6,533.20; Books & Supplies (including required materials, uniforms, and graduation expenses) $900; Total Estimated Direct Cost $7,433.20. Out-of-state tuition is higher.

How the figure breaks down. The College’s 2026-2027 CTE rate is $2.92 per clock hour for Florida residents (basic tuition $2.44, a student financial aid fee $.24, a capital improvement fee $.12 and a technology fee $.12), and lab fees are $2.25 per clock hour. For 1,050 clock hours that is $3,066 tuition and $2,362.50 lab fees; the rest of the published Tuition & Fees figure, $1,104.70, is other program fees the College does not itemise on this page.

Registration fee. A registration fee of $60.00 is assessed for each new program of enrollment during the school year. The registration fee is non-refundable. Students returning to the same program during the 2026-2027 school year will be assessed a $30.00 returning student registration fee.

Other published fees. Parking Fee $10.00; basic skills test $30 (depending on transcripts); TEAS $70; Wonderlic $15; transcript fee $5.00. Out-of-state tuition is $11.71 per clock hour; for Alabama residents in ECTC’s service area the 2026-2027 rate is $2.97 per clock hour.

Financial aid and funding. Federal Pell Grant (for eligible students); VA Education Benefits (for eligible beneficiaries); Florida Open Door Grant (for eligible students); Payment Plans Available. All students should complete the FAFSA; the Federal ID for Emerald Coast Technical College is 041462. Emerald Coast Technical College does not process or administer loans.

Money-Back Guarantee. In accordance with Section 1011.803, Florida Statutes, Emerald Coast Technical College participates in Florida’s Money-Back Guarantee Program for this program: a student who paid out-of-pocket, completed the program, earned the certificate and passed the required industry certification or licensure examination within three months, but was unable to obtain employment in the field within six months of completion, may be eligible for a tuition refund, subject to the program’s documented job-search and other requirements.

Refunds. Refunds will be processed by the business office of ECTC and the Walton County School District within 45 days of the last day of attendance if written notification has been provided by the student, or from the date ECTC terminates the student or determines the student to be withdrawn.

Curriculum

1,050 clock hours, approximately 36 weeks. Programs are developed in accordance with the State of Florida Department of Education Division of Career and Adult Education (DCAE) Curriculum Frameworks guidelines for student competency and skill attainment.

Required Courses

Subject #NameTotal
PMT0070Welder Assistant 1150
PMT0071Welder Assistant 2150
PMT0072Welder, SMAW 1150
PMT0073Welder, SMAW 2150
PMT0074Welder450
Totals1,050

Career Outcomes

Employment wage statistics. Estimated 2026 wages in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: median annual wage $50,710 (Q1 $47,780, Q3 $60,690). Source: FL Labor Market Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics & Wages Program, as published in the College’s catalog.

Certification. Industry certification: AWS - Certified Welder.

Articulation. Students who successfully complete selected CTE programs at ECTC may be able to benefit from Florida statewide articulation agreements that apply CTE program completion to Florida state college credits in specific AS/AAS programs.

What to expect as an Emerald Coast Technical College student

Orientation. All students are required to complete online orientation. The orientation provides information to acquaint students with general policies, procedures, functions, and personnel, and includes financial aid, admissions, registration, and program offerings. Program orientations are provided by instructors during the first few days of scheduled classes.

Orientation to technology. Orientation to technology is provided at the beginning of each scheduled term and includes instruction on accessing the student’s school account to review grades, financial accounts, etc. and setting up and accessing Microsoft® 365, at no cost to the student while enrolled. ECTC will supply students with required technology; students are not required to purchase devices or software.

Job placement and employment support. Student services and instructional staff offer assistance with employability skills, including job application completion, resume writing, interview skills, and job referral/job placement. Assistance is also available free of charge through CareerSource®/Regional Workforce personnel located on the main campus in Building #100.

Student Ambassador Program. The Student Ambassador Program is a leadership opportunity for students dedicated to serving and representing Emerald Coast Technical College. Student Ambassadors provide campus tours, serve as ECTC representatives, and perform duties at campus and community events.

Student services on both campuses. The full range of student services, including but not limited to academic and career counseling, financial aid, services for students with disabilities, admissions, registration, and testing, are made available to students on both campuses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible for financial aid? How do I apply for financial aid?
Financial Aid qualifications vary. All students should complete the federal government’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must complete the FAFSA for all financial aid, including Bright Futures. The Federal ID for Emerald Coast Technical College is 041462. A new FAFSA should be updated in January each year you continue your education. Emerald Coast Technical College does not process or administer loans.
Can I apply for a student loan?
At this time, Emerald Coast Technical College does not offer student loans.
What can I expect to pay for tuition and fees?
Each program's page contains an approximation to current program costs.
Where is ECTC located?
Emerald Coast Technical College's main campus is centrally located in beautiful Walton County. The main campus is in DeFuniak Springs just off I-10: 761 North 20th Street, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433. Emerald Coast Technical College @ Magnet Innovation Center - Watersound is near the beach, just off Hwy 98: 133 South Watersound Pkwy, Inlet Beach, Florida 32461.

Other Programs at Main Campus

Emerald Coast Technical College in DeFuniak Springs, FL also offers these 18 programs at 761 N. 20th Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433.

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Request information about Welding Technology at Main Campus.
Welding Technology