Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration is a Diploma program offered by Fortis College in Wayne, NJ. The program takes 60 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $24,325.
Program Overview
The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) program prepares students for entry-level employment in the climate-control industry. It is comprehensive and hands-on, covering service for residential and commercial refrigeration, gas and oil furnaces, heat pumps, electric furnaces, and air conditioning equipment.
Students learn to use a variety of tools to work with refrigerant lines and air ducts, and to use voltmeters, thermometers, pressure gauges, manometers, and other testing devices to check airflow, refrigerant pressure, electrical circuits, and burners. Graduates are trained to work as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration service technicians in both residential and commercial settings.
What sets this Program apart
- Earn an HVAC-R diploma in 48 weeks.
- Extensive hands-on training on residential and commercial heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems.
- Prepares you to take the EPA Universal Certification exam.
- Offered at an ABHES-accredited campus.
General Requirements
- A high school diploma or its recognised equivalent, with documentation. Foreign credentials must be translated into English and evaluated as equivalent or higher by a NACES-member service.
- You must be at least 17 years old when your program of study starts.
- Complete an applicant information form and interview with an admissions advisor or other administrative staff.
- Achieve the campus’s published minimum score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE). A passing score is valid for three years; ask the campus for this program’s minimum.
- Meet all financial obligations and complete the tuition payment requirements.
- Sign the Fortis enrollment agreement once accepted.
Application Process
- 1Speak to an admissions advisorEvery applicant is assigned an admissions advisor who explains the curriculum and policies and books the interviews you need.
- 2Submit your documentationProvide proof of high school completion and complete the applicant information form. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure Fortis receives every required document.
- 3Sit the Wonderlic SLETake the Scholastic Level Exam and reach this program’s published minimum. Accommodations must be requested under the catalog’s policy — campus staff cannot approve them.
- 4Financial aidFortis participates in federal student aid including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, PLUS Loans and Federal Work-Study. File the FAFSA and meet the campus financial aid office.FAFSA Code for Fortis Institute in Wayne: 014968Complete FAFSA Application
- 5Sign the enrollment agreementAdmission decisions weigh your fulfilment of the requirements, your previous educational records and your career interests.
School Information
Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited program means your education has met independently reviewed quality standards designed to protect students.
Fortis Institute in Wayne holds institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Independently reviewed against published standards
- Recognised by employers in the field
Accreditations
Program Schedule
Classes may be scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Hours are subject to change.
The program is 62.5 semester credits (1,200 clock hours; 1,668.75 total clock hours including recognized homework), completed in 60 weeks (day/evening), on-campus.
- September 21st, 2026
- November 02nd, 2026
- December 14th, 2026
Curriculum
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Semester Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICS-100 | Introduction to Craft Skills | 60 | 3 |
| ICS-110 | Mathematics for the Trades | 60 | 3 |
| EL-110 | Electrical Theory | 60 | 3 |
| EL-111 | Electrical Essentials: AC | 60 | 3 |
| HV-102 | Intro to Thermodynamics | 60 | 3.5 |
| HV-105 | Intro to HVACR Controls | 60 | 3 |
| HV-108 | Advanced Controls, Motors & Motor Controls | 60 | 3 |
| HV-110 | Refrigerants | 60 | 3 |
| HV-120 | Introduction to Air Conditioning | 60 | 3 |
| HV-121 | Advanced Air Conditioning | 60 | 3 |
| HV-125 | Introduction to Commercial Refrigeration | 60 | 3 |
| HV-126 | Advanced Commercial Refrigeration | 60 | 3 |
| HV-131 | Electric and Gas Heating Systems | 60 | 3.5 |
| HV-132 | Oil Heating Systems | 60 | 3 |
| HV-133 | Heat Pumps | 60 | 3 |
| HV-134 | Water Based Heating Systems | 60 | 3 |
| HV-140 | HVAC System Design | 60 | 3.5 |
| HV-145 | HVAC Troubleshooting & Service Calls | 60 | 3 |
| HV-150 | EPA Certification Preparation | 60 | 3.5 |
| PDC-200 | Career Development | 60 | 3 |
| Total | 1200 | 62 |
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
The total program cost of $26,916 covers tuition plus the required fees and materials below:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $24,325 |
| Administrative & technology fee | $125 |
| Book charges | $666 |
| Student / tool kit | $859 |
| Laptop computer | $941 |
| Total program cost | $26,916 |
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Fortis participates in federal student aid programs including Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Direct PLUS Loans for parents, and Federal Work-Study. Complete the FAFSA and speak with the campus financial aid office to learn what you are eligible for.
Career Outcomes
Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment in HVAC-R, including service technician, installation technician, and apprentice heating technician roles.
Students in their final quarter are eligible to take the EPA Universal Certification exam.
What to expect as a Fortis student
Fortis is a career-focused college. The HVAC-R program follows a set schedule and a fixed course sequence, combining classroom instruction with extensive hands-on lab work on real heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment.
You will train on the tools and testing instruments used in the field and prepare for the EPA Universal Certification exam before graduating.
School Information
Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited program means your education has met independently reviewed quality standards designed to protect students.
Fortis Institute in Wayne holds institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Independently reviewed against published standards
- Recognised by employers in the field