Terry L. (Bo) Pace Advanced Welding and Fabrication Technology Program

Welding student

Earn a certificate in 32 weeks or a degree in 2 years!

If it is made of metal, then it can be welded, and welding is a career that plays an integral role in moving industry forward. A life-long rewarding career starts with enrolling in the Advanced Welding/Fabrication Technology program at Missouri State University-West Plains.

This program will give you the skills in welding and fabrication, CAD, print reading, math and measurements to advanced robotics.  As a modern welder, it blends the trade skills with technology to prepare you for the essential skills needed by industry.

As a National Coalition of Certification Center (nc3) and partner with the Lincoln Electric Education Partnership (LEEPS), student success is our mission and providing you with the ability to quickly obtain essential industry recognized credentials.

Over a 32-week period you will be prepared to test for nc3 welding certifications, as well as, certifications through American Welding Society (AWS).  Every instructor is an expert welder with years of experience and will make sure you’ll learn everything you need to know.

You can choose either a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Technology with the option in Advanced Welding/Fabrication or the one-year stand-alone certificate option.

Welding/Fabrication Certifications

  • SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding - Stick) & Advanced
  • GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding - MIG) & Advanced
  • FCAW (Flux-Cored Arc Welding) & Advanced
  • GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding – TIG) & Advanced
  • Thermal Cutting: Oxyacetylene
  • Thermal Cutting: Plasma
  • Thermal Cutting: Carbon Arc Gouging
  • Pipe Welding: ASME & API

Additional Certifications:

  • Fork Truck Operation
  • CPR/First Aid

Gear Package

gear packageIncluded in gear package:

  • Welding Helmet
  • Welding Jacket
  • Welding Gloves
  • Safety Glasses
  • Doo Rag
  • Chipping Hammer
  • Welding Pliers
  • Carbon Steel Wire Brush
  • Lincoln Electric Duffle Bag

Fast Facts

  • Welders Earn a Median Pay of $44,190 per year or $21.25/hour.
  • Job Outlook is bright with a 4% increase (2010-2029).
  • Over 50% of all man-made products were created by welding.
  • Welding is a career always in demand.
  • Types of employment include construction, manufacturing, structural steel, sheet metal, boilermakers, industrial maintenance pipefitters, motorsports, rig and shipyards.

Financial Aid Options

At Missouri State University-West Plains there are many financial aid options available, from federal grants to privately funded scholarships.

AWS Scholarship: Welder/Training Scholarship https://scholarship.aws.org/applications/

Mike Rowe Works Scholarship: https://mikerowe.com/2021/03/apply-for-a-work-ethic-scholarship/

Facility

The welding lab is currently at the MSU-WP GOCAT facility and classes will be held there for the 2021-2022 academic year. Renovation of the Terry L. "Bo" Pace Workforce Training Center (formerly the Broadway Building) on the Missouri State-West Plains campus is being completed to permanently locate the lab there. The lab will be equipped with state-of-the-art Lincoln Electric welding equipment and various types of fabrication equipment to provide advanced workforce training.

Contacts

Program details: 471-255-7784 or SheilaBarton@MissouriState.edu

Tour our campus: 417-255-7784 or RoyCrouch@MissouriState.edu

Customized Training: 417-255-7785 Garland Barton or Barton527@MissouriState.edu

Admissions: 417-255-7955 or WPAdmissions@MissouriState.edu

Financial Aid: 417-255-7243 or WPFinancialAid@MissouriState.edu

Housing: 417-256-1870 or WPResHall@MissouriState.edu