Welcome to Great Falls College MSU
Welders and brazers use heat to permanently join pieces of metal.
Welders work from drawings and/or detailed work orders. They decide the best way to join or repair metal parts.
Welders use welding equipment such as electric, gas, and plasma torches. Brazers generally use gas equipment.
Welders position and secure the work piece. They may use a hoist or crane to move large pieces or hand tools to clamp small pieces into place. Once the pieces are positioned, welders use tools or chemical cleaners to clean the surface of metal pieces. They connect electrical leads and/or hoses, and ignite the torch or strike the arc. They adjust dials and valves to regulate the flow of electricity, gas, and/or air.
Welders and brazers also repair broken or cracked metal parts. They sometimes fill holes and seams in metal products. When the job is complete, they chip or grind off excess weld using hand or power tools.
Welders and brazers examine their work to be sure it meets requirements. They clean the fabricated parts using various methods to make the finished product presentable.
Welders and brazers help build products and structures such as:
- Aircraft
- Automobiles
- Buildings
- Bridges
- Ships
- Nuclear Facilities
- Computer Chip Manufacturing Facilities
| Job Title | Median Wage | Annual Job Openings | Expected Growth |
| Welder | MT: $46,640 US: $47,010 |
MT: 170 US: 49,200 |
MT: 8% US: 8% |
*Information obtained from O*NET OnLine
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Welding Associate of Applied Science
Welding Certificate of Applied Science
Figure Out Your Finances
Students seeking federal financial aid (which includes grants and loans) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which online at fafsa.ed.gov. As a result of completing a FAFSA, an applicant will receive a federal Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail or online. An electronic version of the SAR is automatically sent to the schools listed on the FAFSA. To list Great Falls College MSU, use our school code: 009314.
Students applying for financial aid may also be required to provide proper federal income tax information, completed verification materials, and any other information requested by the Financial Aid Office. Students must apply for financial aid annually.
Assistance is available to prospective students applying for financial aid. In addition, financial aid counseling for new students is an integral part of the admissions and orientation process. Once enrolled, students may receive counseling and assistance as needed. For assistance, please call 406-771-4334, or write to the Financial Aid Office, Great Falls College MSU, 2100 16th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405, or email finaid@gfcmsu.edu.
Great Falls College MSU also offers a wide variety of different scholarships to assist you in paying for your college. To view a list of current scholarship offerings, please see our scholarship page.
Welding Associate of Applied Science Program Requirements
Welding Certificate of Applied Science Program Requirements
Program Admission Process
Admission to Great Falls College MSU
Students must be admitted to the College prior to the submission of the Welding program application and be in good academic standing with the institution. Therefore, no applications will be reviewed until applicants have been admitted to Great Falls College MSU.
Good Academic Standing
Good Academic Standing means students are not on academic probation or academic probation continued or academic suspension. The Registrar’s office verifies academic standing. A student with Good Academic Standing has a cumulative GPA that is greater or equal to 2.0 at Great Falls College MSU. Currently enrolled students, who are not in Good Academic Standing at the time of Welding application submission, will only be eligible for conditional admission if there are intake spots available after acceptance of applicants currently in Good Academic Standing.
Admission to Great Falls College MSU Welding Technology & Fabrication Program
The Welding Technology & Fabrication Program admissions committee will review completed application packets after May 10. Submit completed application packets to:
Mailing Address:
Welding Admissions Committee
Student Central
Great Falls College Montana State University
2100 16th Avenue South
Great Falls MT, 59405
Note: Applications will be date and time stamped upon receipt. The first 26 completed applications, who meet the admissions criteria, will be accepted into the program. Only complete applications will be considered.
Priority Admissions
May 10, 2024: Priority deadline for Welding Technology and Fabrication applications
June 10, 2024: Notification of acceptance for priority applicants
if any of the 26 admission positions remain open after the priority deadline of May
10, then additional applications will be considered in the order they are received.
August 12, 2024: Last day to submit Welding applications
Please refer to the Welding Technology & Fabrication Program Application, linked below, for full details on the application process.
Graduates of the Welding CAS program are prepared to produce welds in all positions that meet industry standards using the following processes:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
- Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
Graduates are also able to interpret welding blueprints and weld symbols, understand power sources and current types, and gain other skills necessary for entry-level welding jobs.
For a complete list of courses, please see the section titled Explore Course Lists on this page.
Great Falls College MSU
Welding Program In The News
Welding Program Faculty
