HVAC Technology

The objective of the HVAC Technology Program is to prepare individuals, through classroom and lab experiences, with the knowledge and skills to manage, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain refrigeration, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems for entry level employment as an HVAC Technician in an industry that continues to grow. The installation, servicing and repair of equipment used in both residential and light commercial applications is covered in detail, including gas, electric and oil fueled systems. Emphasis is placed on the analysis and troubleshooting of HVAC circuits and controls systems.

The curriculum consists of extensive classroom instruction and practical hands-on training in all phases of refrigeration, heating, air conditioning. Students are trained on refrigerators, domestic and light commercial ice makers, window and central air conditioning systems, dehumidifiers, heat pumps, freezers, and low/medium and high efficiency furnaces. Students receive a working knowledge and develop basic skills in Electricity & Troubleshooting, Basic Refrigeration, A/C Maintenance, Forced Air Heating Systems and Hydronic Heating Systems. Students are prepared to sit for the EPA certification exams. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded an Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) Degree.

• Old and new technologies, hands-on. Lab time and real-world experience that can’t be obtained through an online program; HVAC students may also have the opportunity to work on equipment and systems inside the College’s facilities.
• EPA certification. Students receive the necessary training to earn an EPA Section 608 Refrigerant Handling Certification.
• Comprehensive topics — basic refrigeration, electrical troubleshooting, various heating systems, heat pump diagnosis, thermodynamics and design, control system analysis, air conditioning maintenance and sheet metal applications.
• No high four-year costs — Rosedale Tech says HVAC trade school could allow career switchers to begin a new job faster with less debt.

Rosedale Technical College is a private, non-profit technical college founded in 1949 and in continuous operation since, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In 2018 Forbes ranked Rosedale Tech 11th on its list of Top 25 Two-Year Trade Schools, and in 2021 it ranked 3rd on The Chronicle of Higher Education’s non-profit list of 2-Year Colleges with Best Graduation Rates for 2019.

To be accepted for admission, an applicant must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalent certificate. Applications are accepted from high school students who are expected to graduate; however, their graduation must be confirmed before entering the college. Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check.

Entrance exam. Applicants must successfully complete a recognized entrance exam, administered by a member of the staff, or present an acceptable SAT/ACT score. For HVAC applicants the passing score is 20 on the Wonderlic, or an SAT of 1020 or ACT of 20. Applicants to the HVAC program are required to earn a minimum of 80% on the math assessment.

For final acceptance, each applicant must submit an official final high school transcript or an official equivalent certificate/documentation and possess a valid driver’s license.

Transfer credits are accepted: students transferring from another post-secondary institution or the military should speak with the Director of Education, and official transcripts are required for review. Rosedale Tech also has articulation agreements with a number of high school career training centers (CTCs).

Class hours. Monday through Thursday, 7:30am – 3:00pm — a four-day school week that helps students balance school with work and other obligations.

Program length. The courses are taught in four 16-week semesters, and the program can be completed in 16 months. The complete program consists of 75.5 semester credit hours, and progress reports are distributed at the end of each grading period.

Start dates. Classes for day programs start approximately every 8 – 16 weeks. Contact an admissions representative for the exact start date; some programs may not be available for every start date.

Holidays and breaks. In 2026 the college observes M.L. King Day, Presidents Day, Easter Monday, Memorial Day, a summer break from 07/14/26 through 08/02/26, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving and a Christmas break from 12/24/26 through 01/03/27. In 2027 there is a spring break from 03/20/27 through 03/28/27 and a summer break from 07/20/27 through 08/08/27. Due to how holidays fall, some semesters may have an additional week. The maximum time allowed to complete a program is 150% of its published length, measured in semester credit hours attempted.

Daytime and evening programs are available in Rosedale Tech’s HVAC program; the evening option is the HVAC Technician diploma.

Tuition and fees. Tuition is $9,750 per semester for four 16-week semesters, a total of $39,000 ($516.56 per credit). Students are full-time when enrolled in 12 to 22 credits per semester, and semester tuition may be adjusted for transfer credits and advanced standing. All programs carry a $40.00 application fee, paid with the application, and a $110.00 registration fee, paid on acceptance. Tuition and fees may be paid by cash, check or credit card.

Other costs. Lab fees, charged each semester, total $1,900. Textbooks and supplies are estimated at $100. A professional tool set through the college is estimated at $2,900. The uniform package is $375. Students must also provide a Windows laptop.

Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Many Rosedale Tech students qualify for some type of financial assistance. The college pairs accepted students with a financial aid coordinator to help customize a personalized financial aid plan that may include eligible grants, loans, and other awards, and will also assist with the application for federal financial aid. Rosedale Tech is proud to support members of the military community as they transition back to civilian life; its financial aid team includes members who are VA certified and can help military students navigate their military benefits for education.

Aid programs. The college is an eligible institution for these programs, and its Financial Aid Officer supplies information on how to apply:

• PA State Grant — for Pennsylvania residents; grants do not have to be repaid, and certain deadline dates apply.
• Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP) — a needs-based state program for PA residents training in short-term programs for a targeted (growth) industry.
• Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) — grants that do not have to be repaid. Title IV eligibility starts with the FAFSA®.
• Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal PLUS Loans for parents of dependent undergraduates — funds borrowed must be repaid.
• Federal Work Study — a limited number of campus jobs, with information in the Student Success Center.
• Veterans’ educational benefits, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation funding, the Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship, and TRA/TAA retraining for displaced workers.

Institutional grants. Students must be conditionally accepted, complete the FAFSA and complete the Grant Application. Grants include an Early Application Grant ($500, apply before December 31st of the senior year of high school), SkillsUSA competition awards (a $250 tool credit for all competitors, and grants for top-3 regional, state and national finishers), a Scouting Achievement Grant ($2,000), a Firefighter/EMS Grant ($1,000), a Gear Grant (up to $3,000 for students with unmet need), a Displaced Worker Grant (up to $4,000), a Pathway Grant and a Changing Lanes Pathway Grant (up to $2,000 for transfer students).

Graduates of this program have entry level career paths as heating technicians, heating mechanics, duct installers, refrigeration technicians, sheet metal workers, facility maintenance technicians, and air conditioning technicians. These positions may be available in both residential and light commercial settings in factories, hospitals, hotels, office buildings, retail establishments and schools.

Rosedale Tech cites U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures of 380,400 HVAC technician jobs in 2020, with 19,000 more forecast by 2030, and notes that HVAC training can also lead to non-technician positions within the industry.

Outcomes. In the 2024–2025 rates reported to the PA State Board of Private Licensed Schools in September 2025, HVAC Technology recorded a 95% graduation rate (35 of 37 starts), and 96% of 2023–24 graduates were placed in jobs.

Career services. Advice and instruction in resume preparation, job applications and interviews, and assistance in securing full-time and temporary employment, are provided through Rosedale Technical College’s career placement services. All current students and graduates are eligible for placement assistance throughout their careers. The Student Success Team connects students with employers through career fairs, mock interviews, employer presentations and company field trips, and Rosedale Tech works with over 1,800 regional employers. No guarantee of employment is made, nor are any promises implied regarding minimum starting salaries.

The HVAC labs contain various commercial and residential heating and cooling units as well as commercial refrigeration units and sheet metal equipment.

Grading and graduation. Grades are based on classroom participation, laboratory and project work, and written assessments, on a scale from A (91–100) to F (64 and below). To graduate, a student must pass all program courses, reach a minimum cumulative QPA of 2.0, maintain any program attendance requirements and complete any program-specific requirements. A student may face disciplinary action, up to termination, after 10 absences, 10 lates/early departures or 10 partial absences in a semester. Students also receive a soft skills transcript each semester that evaluates communication, eye contact, team participation, timeliness, safety adherence and dress code.

Class size. The average class size is less than 25 students per class; the maximum during lab is 30 students per instructor.

Bring your own technology. Students must have a reliable Windows laptop or netbook (Apple products cannot be used) with a keyboard, Wi-Fi, a camera, at least 4 GB RAM and a 10” screen. Most textbooks are supplied in electronic format, and the college uses Moodle as its learning management system. Programs marked hybrid are intended to be taught fully in person; only in extenuating circumstances may courses be taught in a hybrid format through Moodle.