HVAC is a Diploma program offered by Tidewater Tech in Norfolk, VA. The program takes 48 weeks / 12 months to complete, with a total tuition of $28,512.
Program Overview
The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program covers the systems used to move and condition air between indoor and outdoor spaces, with hands-on, practical competencies across the three areas of HVAC — mechanical, electrical, and airflow. Students train in air-conditioning fundamentals, electrical theory, refrigerants, heat pumps, heating systems, refrigeration equipment, brazing and soldering, and psychometrics, preparing for entry-level employment in commercial and residential heating, cooling, and refrigeration.
What sets this Program apart
Training is industry-led and heavily hands-on, spanning the mechanical, electrical, and airflow systems technicians work on every day — from diagnosing airflow and refrigeration problems to ductwork fabrication, brazing, and soldering copper tubing.
Students prepare for EPA Section 608 certification and the Industrial Competency Exam (ICE), and the program supports preparation toward the Virginia DPOR Journeyman HVAC certification.
Admission Requirements and Process
Applicants must submit an Application for Admissions and a $25 application fee in order to be considered for admission; the application fee is waived for veterans with proof of service. The Admissions Department will assist with completing the application process, and all applicants must complete an interview with an Admissions Representative.
General Requirements
- Age or Approved CosignerApplicants must be beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance and have an approved cosigner if under the age of 18.
- High School Diploma or GEDApplicants must provide acceptable proof of graduation from high school, a General Education Diploma, or equivalent. An international/foreign transcript must be translated into…
- Government Photo IDApplicants must submit a government issued photo ID, such as a copy of a state issued driver's license, state issued identification card, or passport.
- Application and FeeApplicants must submit an Application for Admissions and a $25 application fee in order to be considered for admission. The application fee is waived for veterans with proof of…
- Admissions InterviewAll applicants must complete an interview with an Admissions Representative. If the applicant is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian should be present.
Application Process
- 1Schedule a Campus TourThe best way to see if Tidewater Tech is right for you is to see it for yourself. Schedule a campus tour with our Admissions team.
- 2Interview with AdmissionsComplete an interview with an Admissions Representative, who will assist you with the application process. If you are under the age of 18, a parent or guardian should be present.
- 3Submit Your ApplicationContact Admissions to complete an Application for Admission along with the $25 application fee (waived for veterans with proof of service).
- 4Meet Financial Aid and File the FAFSAOnce your application is submitted, you will meet with a Financial Aid Advisor and complete the FAFSA. Bring proof of US Citizenship and your High School Diploma or GED Certificate; if you are filing as a dependent, arrange for your parent or guardian to join you.FAFSA Code for Little Creek Campus: E40680Fill Out the FAFSA
- 5Acceptance and Enrollment AgreementApplicants who have met all admissions criteria will be recommended for acceptance. Your signed Student Enrollment Agreement becomes a contract once approved by the Campus Executive Director or designee, and you will be notified of the admission decision in writing.
- 6Attend Student OrientationStudent Orientation introduces incoming students to key administrative staff and faculty, the school's policies and procedures, and the resources available for your personal, academic, and professional success.
Program Schedule
The HVAC program runs 48 weeks / 12 months and totals 1,080 clock hours / 36 semester credit hours, delivered hands-on at Tidewater Tech’s Little Creek Campus in Norfolk. New cohorts begin roughly once a month.
- December 07th, 2026
- January 19th, 2027
- February 22nd, 2027
- March 29th, 2027
- May 10th, 2027
- June 14th, 2027
Curriculum
The HVAC program consists of 9 courses totaling 1,080 clock hours and 36 semester credit hours:
The required courses below are from Tidewater Tech's published catalog.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RHVS 100 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration I | 4 |
| RHVS 115 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Controls I | 4 |
| RHVS 117 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Controls II | 4 |
| RHVS 124 | Heating Systems | 4 |
| RHVS 132 | Commercial Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | 4 |
| RHVS 141 | Comfort and Psychometrics | 4 |
| RHVS 156 | Heat Pumps | 4 |
| RHVS 186 | Advanced Troubleshooting and Service | 4 |
| RHVS 192 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration II | 4 |
| Totals | 36 |
Testimonials
Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited institution means your education has met rigorous, independently reviewed quality standards designed to protect students.
This program: Tidewater Tech is institutionally accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE); the program prepares students for EPA Section 608 certification and toward the Virginia DPOR Journeyman HVAC certification.
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Recognized by employers nationwide
- Credits earned toward a respected credential
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Little Creek Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Cost of Attendance
Program costs for the HVAC diploma are as follows:
- Tuition: $28,512 ($792 per credit hour × 36 credit hours)
- Application Fee: $25 (one-time; waived for veterans with proof of service)
- Administrative Fee: $125 (one-time)
- Library Fee: $12 (one-time)
- Materials Fee: varies by program (covers consumable training materials and safety equipment)
- Textbooks & tool kits: billed separately; specific costs are listed on the student’s Enrollment Agreement
Tuition is charged on a cost-per-credit basis. For a personalized estimate, use Tidewater Tech’s cost calculator.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Tidewater Tech participates in federal Title IV programs and offers a range of options:
- Federal Pell Grant and FSEOG
- Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Parent PLUS Loans
- VA education benefits (GI Bill®) and Military Tuition Assistance
- WIOA funding through Opportunity Inc. / Virginia Career Works Hampton Roads
- Vocational Rehabilitation and state grants/loans
- Scholarships, including the Scholarship Match Program (dollar-for-dollar match up to 10% of tuition, books, and fees) and the AmeriCorps Education Award match
- Institutional payment plans
Program tuition is $28,512 ($792 per credit hour); textbooks, tool kits, and program fees are billed separately.
Career Outcomes
The HVAC diploma prepares graduates for entry-level employment in commercial and residential heating, cooling, and refrigeration. Building on the program's coursework, graduates pursue roles such as:
- HVAC Technician
- Air Conditioning Technician
- Refrigeration Technician
- HVAC Installer
- Heating Systems Technician
- HVAC Maintenance Technician
Students also have the opportunity to earn industry certifications after completing specific courses, including the OSHA 10-Hour Safety Certification, EPA Section 608 Refrigerant Certification, the Industrial Competency Exam (ICE), and preparation toward the DPOR Journeyman HVAC certification.
What to expect as a Tidewater Tech student
As a Tidewater Tech student, you will spend most of your time hands-on in the HVAC lab — troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and airflow systems on real equipment — taught by industry-experienced instructors focused on getting you job-ready.
Programs are short and start often: new cohorts begin roughly every month. Tidewater Tech is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE), welcomes veterans and active-duty military (VA benefits and Military Tuition Assistance), and a financial aid team helps you build a plan before you start.