Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) is a Certificate program offered by Industrial Welding Academy in Houston, TX. The program takes 48 clock hours — 3 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $3,400.
Program Overview
Course description. The Gas Metal Arc Welding course is designed to teach students about arc welding safety and the gas metal arc welding process (GMAW) and proper techniques for welding. This course contains 12 hours of lecture and 36 hours of lab, which totals 48 clock hours. This course will last 3 weeks.
To complete the course, students must pass a skills test. At the completion of the course, each student will receive a certificate of completion.
The Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) course at Industrial Welding Academy is a focused training program designed to give students a strong foundation in arc welding safety and GMAW techniques.
What you will learn. In this course, students will:
- Practice performing fillet (1F,2F,3F,4F) and groove welds (1G,2G,3G,4G) with and without backing in all positions.
- Develop safe cutting procedures using oxy-fuel torches and gouging tools.
- Apply techniques that prepare them for real-world structural welding jobs.
What sets this Program apart
We help welders become their best. The Industrial Welding Academy (IWA) is dedicated to teaching students the trade of welding through a uniquely designed curriculum that will allow graduates to achieve entry level positions within the many fields of skilled trades that utilize the learned techniques of welding. We are dedicated to providing training that meets and exceeds industry standards.
A shop built to resemble the job. The facility and individual training spaces are designed to resemble and inspire on the job settings and are built to accommodate realistic welding positions and environment which include out of position welding, jack stand welding, on the scaffold welding, simulation of pipe rack welding layout and fit up, oxy fuel and thermal cutting scenarios. Each student is assigned a welding machine and welding booth for utilization during the course.
Instructors credentialed by the American Welding Society. IWA Certified Welding Educators (CWEs) are credentialed by the American Welding Society (AWS). Working with welders of all levels and companies of all sizes, our welding instructors have more than 30 years' experience in the welding industry. We have worked as welding quality control inspectors, all-in-one combination pipe welders, welding engineers, welding trainers, and rig welders.
Help passing AWS exams. Students not only rely on our expertise to help them prepare for and pass AWS exams, but also improve their skills while working on-the-job!
Evening classes for working adults. Our evening welding classes are a great fit for working adults, with instruction provided by professionals who bring real industry experience to the shop.
Admission Requirements and Process
Admission policy. Individuals must meet with staff personnel and be at least 17 years of age. Applicants under the age of 18 must provide written permission from a parent or legal guardian to enroll.
No diploma required. No high school diploma or GED required. However, a Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) will be administered to determine skill and functioning level. Students must score at least a 9th grade level.
From the school's Admission Requirements.
- Must visit and tour the campus prior to starting class.
- Capable of meeting the visual and physical requirements a welding career demands.
- Veteran Students Only: must be able to supply transcripts from all post-secondary institutions previously attended and funded with VA educational benefits.
Previous credit. All previous education, training or experience will be reviewed by the school.
Re-admission. Students may re-enter the Academy if they left in good standing and are able to maintain standards of acceptable behavior as defined by the Academy. Students terminated for violation of attendance may reenroll after six weeks.
Enrolling. Getting started is simple: review the welding programs, choose the training path that fits your goals, and contact the academy to begin the enrollment process.
General Requirements
- Meet with staff and tour the campusIndividuals must meet with staff personnel, and must visit and tour the campus prior to starting class.
- At least 17 years of ageApplicants under the age of 18 must provide written permission from a parent or legal guardian to enroll.
- No high school diploma or GED requiredA Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) will be administered to determine skill and functioning level; students must score at least a 9th grade level.
- Visual and physical requirementsApplicants must be capable of meeting the visual and physical requirements a welding career demands.
- Veteran students: prior transcriptsVeteran students must be able to supply transcripts from all post-secondary institutions previously attended and funded with VA educational benefits.
- Registration feeA $100 registration fee is charged, and it is non-refundable.
Application Process
- 1Contact the academyReview the welding programs, choose the training path that fits your goals, and contact the academy to begin the enrollment process. A representative can help guide you through the next steps.
- 2Visit and tour the campusYou must visit and tour the campus and meet with staff personnel before starting class.
- 3Take the TABEA Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) is administered to determine skill and functioning level. You must score at least a 9th grade level.
- 4Choose your course and class timeIWA begins by determining each student's level of welding competency and helping determine the path you would like to pursue. Day classes run 12 PM to 4 PM and evening classes 5 PM to 9 PM.
- 5Check funding eligibilityFunding is available for those who qualify through the Texas Workforce Commission, TWC Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the US Department of Veteran Affairs. These agencies determine eligibility.
- 6Agree how you will payPay tuition and fees in full, or opt for the installment plan, which is a legally binding contract outlined in the Student Enrollment Agreement. A non-refundable $100 fee is assessed when the installment plan is executed.
Program Schedule
Length. This course contains 12 hours of lecture and 36 hours of lab, which totals 48 clock hours. This course will last 3 weeks. The approximate time to complete the Gas Metal Arc Welding Course is three weeks for the day and evening class.
Class times.
- Morning Class: 8 AM – 12 PM (only offered if an excessive waiting list occurs in other classes)
- Day Class: 12 PM – 4 PM
- Evening Class: 5 PM – 9 PM
Four hours a day. Classes are 4 hours per day with no scheduled breaks; however, students are allowed to take 5-10 minute breaks if needed. Normal lab hours are Monday through Thursday 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ALL CLASSES SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.
School calendar. Classes will start the second Monday after New Year's Day and end six weeks from the start day for the 6-week course and end three weeks from the start date for the 3-week course. Classes will proceed every six weeks for the 6-week course and every three weeks for the 3-week course (excluding holidays).
Holidays. The school is closed all major holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Post Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Post Christmas Day. Holidays/no class days are subject to change. Advance notice will be given to students if any changes are made.
The 2026 calendar. The Houston campus's 3 WEEK TRAINING CALENDAR 2026 lists these start and end dates: 1/5/26 to 1/23/26, 1/26/26 to 2/12/26, 2/16/26 to 3/5/26, 3/9/26 to 3/26/26, 3/30/26 to 4/16/26, 4/20/26 to 5/7/26, 5/11/26 to 5/29/26, 6/1/26 to 6/18/26, 6/22/26 to 7/9/26, 7/13/26 to 7/30/26, 8/3/26 to 8/20/26, 8/24/26 to 9/11/26, 9/14/26 to 10/1/26, 10/5/26 to 10/22/26, 10/26/26 to 11/12/26, 11/16/26 to 12/3/26, 11/30/26 to 12/17/26. Classes Offered Based Upon Availability.
Our start dates are as follows:
- November 16, 2026 (ends December 3, 2026)
- November 30, 2026 (ends December 17, 2026)
- November 16th, 2026
- November 30th, 2026
Required Courses
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Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
State Authorized: Texas Workforce Commission. The catalog names no accrediting agency. Industrial Welding Academy has a Certificate of Approval from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). It is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and Colleges, Austin, Texas.
TWC school number for the Houston campus: S3564. The school's programs are approved by TWC, as well as Workforce Solutions.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
What this course costs. The Houston catalog's Course Fees list GMAW (Plate) at $3,400. Fees include tuition, book, tools, and consumables (welding rods, gases, grinding disk and all metal plates and pipes). The catalog adds: "Tools may be purchased from us or a welding supply store if they have their own tools."
Registration fee. A $100 registration fee (non-refundable) is listed separately under Other Fees.
Other fees the catalog lists.
- Returned check: $30
- Payment Plan Processing Fee: $100
- Replacement Certificate: $10
- Copy of receipt (additional): $1
Method of payment. Accepted methods of payment are: cash, check, cashier's check, money order, debit, and credit cards.
Financial aid. Financial Aid is available for those who qualify through the agencies listed below. These agencies will determine eligibility for Financial Aid. We are training providers for:
- Texas Workforce Commission
- TWC Vocational Rehabilitation Services
- US Department of Veteran Affairs
Student loans. Student loans are available through consumer credit and financing partner, Meritize. Apply online at https://www.meritize.com/.
Any holder of this consumer credit contract is subject to all claims and defenses which the debtor could assert against the seller of goods or services obtained pursuant hereto or with the proceeds hereof. Recovery hereunder by the debtor shall not exceed the amounts paid by the debtor hereunder.
Payment plan. Students may opt to pay tuition and fees on the installment plan. This plan allows a student to pay 50% of total tuition and fees at enrollment and the remaining tuition and fees in 5 equal installments thereafter for the 6-week course and 2 weeks thereafter for the 3-week course. The installments will be due every Monday.
A non-refundable $100 fee is assessed at the time the installment plan is executed. Any student failing to make the 2nd or 3rd installment plan is subject to fines/penalties, withdrawals for non-payment and may forfeit credit for courses. The installment plan is a legally binding contract. All terms of the payment plans and installments are outlined in the Student Enrollment Agreement.
Veterans. GI Bill® and VR&E beneficiaries (Chapter 33 and Chapter 31 beneficiaries) will be allowed to attend training at Industrial Welding Academy for up to 90 days from the date the beneficiary provides a Certificate of Eligibility, Statement of Benefits, or valid VAF 28-1905 per The Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 (section 3679(e) of Title 38, United States Code) effective August 1, 2019.
Industrial Welding Academy will not impose penalties due to late payments from the VA, nor will beneficiaries be required to borrow additional funds to cover tuition and fees.
Cancellation. Applicants may cancel their enrollment in person or in writing before the beginning of classes. A full refund will be made to any student who cancels the enrollment contract within 72 hours (until midnight of the third day excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) after the enrollment contract is signed or within the student's first three scheduled class days.
If tuition and fees are collected in advance of entrance, and if after expiration of the 72-hour cancellation privilege the student does not enter school, not more than $100.00 in non-refundable administrative fees shall be retained by the school for the entire program.
Curriculum
The catalog's Gas Metal Arc Welding Outline has two subjects, Introduction to Gas Metal Arc Welding and Lab, totalling 12 lecture and 36 lab clock hours (48 in all). The course table below gives each subject's description.
How the training works. If you are a welder looking to take your welding skills and techniques to the next level, IWA Training is for you. One hour each day is spent in the classroom on theory and safety, the remaining instruction is hands on.
We train students for entry level, intermediate and advanced level welding. Our objective is to improve and mold each student's valuable experience and abilities to their fullest potential through one-on-one direction of expert welders and instructors. We strive to ensure our students complete each course as a qualified welder through expert critique and repetition of correct safe procedures.
Outcome-based. IWA employs an outcome-based philosophy in its approach to education in the welding program. This means learning to communicate effectively, retrieve information, see issues from multiple perspectives, solve problems and develop life skills. You will prove your knowledge and skills through practical testing in accordance with nationally recognized welding codes and standards.
Required Courses
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Career Outcomes
Where this course leads. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to become employed and perform general entry level structural welding in fabrication shop, machine shop, petro chemical, power plant and refineries.
Industries. You'll train for high-demand roles in industries like fabrication, construction, refineries, and power generation. We provide specialized welding courses that will prepare you for high-demand jobs in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and plant maintenance.
Job placement assistance. IWA is committed to providing our students with a variety of employment-related services, including:
- Job search assistance, job referral, and placement assistance for job seekers.
- Assistance with registering for TWC's online job matching system, WorkInTexas.com, to help our students connect electronically, browse for jobs, and post their resumes.
- Resume review with suggestions and feedback from the school staff.
While IWA is dedicated to assisting our students in getting connected with employment opportunities, IWA cannot guarantee employment.
Career support. We offer career support that goes beyond graduation. Our dedicated team actively helps graduates land interviews and connect with top employers, giving you a head start on your new career path.
What to expect as an Industrial Welding Academy student
The campus. The Industrial Welding Academy is located in East Houston at 11001 Wallisville Rd Houston, Texas. Our facility consists of two stories which are comprised of our administrative offices, classroom, and welding lab. IWA is a state-of-the-art welding school that comfortably accommodates fifteen students per instructor.
How you are graded.
- Daily class participation/homework 25%
- Skills and comprehension 75%
- Progress reports available weekly
- A – Excellent Work
- B – Good Work
- C – Average Work (Student moves on to next level)
- D – Poor (Made effort but must repeat Course)
- F – Failure (Must repeat course)
Weekly progress evaluations. Each student will be reviewed weekly on their competency of welding knowledge, class participation, homework completion and demonstrated ability to complete all welding lab assignments. Progress reports are available every Thursday at the conclusion of each class. Students should review their reports and be prepared to implement any suggestions the following Monday at the beginning of the class week.
Graduating. To obtain a certificate of completion, Industrial Welding Academy students must pay tuition and fees in full and average a cumulative letter grade of C or above as well as complete any welding course with 75% or more of program clock hours.
Attendance. All courses are very intensive and therefore students' full attention is required during class. Students will be terminated if he/she fails to attend class for more than 25% of the total course hours or if he/she fails to return as scheduled from an approved leave of absence.
Make-up work. Make-up hours may be offered on a case by case basis. No more than 5% of the course time hours may be made up. Make up hours may only be available based on instructor and space availability.
Bad weather. In the event of serious inclement weather conditions, classes will be cancelled. Students will be notified by phone, email, or text message. There will also be a posting on the school's Facebook page. Weather cancellations will not count as part of student's clock hours.
Safety. Industrial Welding Academy has the right to deny or revoke any student that poses a safety threat to other students or employees of the training facility.
Testimonials
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Frequently Asked Questions
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