List of Welding Schools & Classes in Montana [Updated]
Montana’s network of two and four-year colleges and universities makes it a great state to learn welding. Practical degrees are an emphasis of most schools in the state, meaning that welding technology programs and related subjects are easy to find and study.
Welders in Montana work in traditional and pipe welding settings. Regardless of which welding program they choose, students will learn the main welding processes, welding theory, cutting, and other helpful skills that will prepare you for a successful welding career.
Welding students in Montana can choose from certificate or associate of applied science programs depending on their career goals and interests.
One-year certificate programs are ideal for students who want to enter the workforce as soon as possible. A two-year degree in welding may be a good fit for welders with previous experience or those who want to learn as much as they can before applying to jobs.
This list is a round-up of the best welding programs and classes in the state of Montana this year. Regardless of your location or budget, we’ve included something for everyone!
1) University of Montana-Missoula College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, OAW, SAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.umt.edu/missoula-college-industrial-tech/welding/
- Telephone: (406) 243-7640
- Location: 2795 37th Ave. Missoula, MT 59804
University of Montana-Missoula College offers 1-2 year programs in welding technology. Students can choose to complete a certificate if they want to enter the workforce quickly.
An associate of applied science degree takes 2 years to complete and includes more topics than the basic certificate.
Welding classes include SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SAW, and OAW. Blueprint reading, metallurgy, design, and CADD are also covered.
2) Gallatin College-Montana State University
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
- Price: ~$100/credit hour
- Website: http://catalog.montana.edu/undergraduate/gallatin-college/workforce-programs/welding-technology/
- Telephone: (406) 994-5536
- Location: 101 Hamilton Hall Bozeman, MT 59717
Gallatin College at Montana State University is located in Bozeman. Montana State University is one of the top schools in the state and offers 250 programs.
The college offers an associate of applied science degree in welding technology. The program includes FCAW, SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, cutting processes, measuring, blueprints, metallurgy, and welding theory.
Students who complete the associate’s program are prepared to take the American Welding Society’s welding test.
3) Montana Technological University
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://www.mtech.edu/highlands/trades/welding/index.html
- Telephone: (800) 445-8324
- Location: 1300 W. Park St. Butte, MT 59701
Montana Technological University opened in 1900 and offers a 2-year associate’s degree in welding technology.
The program covers SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW. Welding theory, math, fabrication, pipe welding, and aluminum welding, and business classes are also included.
4) Great Falls College-Montana State University
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
- Price: ~$5,700-$9,000
- Website: http://www.gfcmsu.edu/webs/welding/
- Telephone: (406) 268-3700
- Location: 2100 16th Ave. S. Great Falls, MT 59405
Great Falls College-Montana State University offers flexible and affordable welding certificates and associate’s degrees.
The program teaches students the necessary welding processes, pipe welding, math, fabrication, blueprints, CAD, and business classes.
Great Falls College’s emphasis on career-readiness and business skills makes it a great program for those wanting to start their own welding and fabrication businesses.
5) City College @ Montana State University Billings
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, pipe welding
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.msubillings.edu/citycollege/programs/ProgWelding.htm
- Telephone: (406) 247-3000
- Location: 2803 Central Ave. Billings, MT 59102
City College is affiliated with Montana State University Billings. The college offers associate certificates and degrees in welding and other in-demand careers.
Welding students can choose from a 40 credit welding certificate or a 67 credit associate of applied science degree. Certificate students learn SMAW, computing, math, fabrication, and semi-automatic welding.
The associate degree track includes these topics and also introduces students to metallurgy, GTAW, and pipe welding processes.
6) Montana State University-Northern
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.msun.edu/academics/cots/program-Welding.aspx
- Telephone: (800) 662-6132
- Location: 300 13th St. W. Havre, MT 59501
Montana State University-Northern serves the north-central region of the state. This includes small towns, large cities, and several Native American reservations.
The school offers a welding certificate that can be completed in as little as 9 months. The program includes SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, cutting, and welding theory.
Contact Montana State University-Northern directly for more information on tuition and applying.
7) University of Montana-Helena College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://helenacollege.edu/academics/programs/welding/default.aspx
- Telephone: (406) 447-6900
- Location: 1115 N. Roberts St. Helena, MT 59601
Helena College is part of the University of Montana system. The college partners with Miller Electric to provide the latest in welding technology and assist students with job placement.
The welding technology program at Helena College prepares students for a welding certificate or associate’s degree. Classes include GMAW, SMAW, and GTAW processes plus cutting, CAD, joins, and pipe welding.
The comprehensive curriculum at Helena College makes it a great choice for students living in and around the state capital.
8) Dawson Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, aluminum
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.dawson.edu/future-students/welding.html
- Telephone: (406) 377-9400
- Location: 300 College Dr. Glendive, MT 59330
Dawson Community College offers a welding technology certificate and associate of applied science degree. The college stands out as being the first school in Montana to offer aluminum-only welding classes.
Certificate and AAS students learn GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, and FCAW welding processes. Safety, math, cutting, weld symbols, fabrication, and writing are supplementary courses that are helpful for welding students.
Pipe welding courses are also offered, allowing students to specialize in several types of welds.
9) Flathead Valley Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.fvcc.edu/program/welding-and-fabrication-technology-aas
- Telephone: (406) 756-4862
- Location: Kalispell & Libby locations
Flathead Valley Community College offers 1-year welding programs that include 19 credit hours of education. The school opened in 1967 and prides itself in providing affordable, local learning in Kalispell and Libby.
Classes include welding theory, fabrication, blueprints, and GTAW.
More information about upcoming class registration can be found on the Flathead Valley Community College website or by calling the school directly.