HVAC - Associate Degree
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) technicians install, service, troubleshoot, and repair HVAC/R systems used for the environmental control of buildings and product processes. This includes work on a wide variety of equipment types including residential (homes), commercial (restaurants, offices, hotels), institutional (schools, hospitals), and industrial (manufacturing plants). Typical careers in this field include mechanical contractor HVAC/R technician, facilities maintenance HVAC/R technician, wholesale service representative, commercial HVAC/R systems technician, industrial HVAC/R systems technician, and residential HVAC/R systems technician.
Delivery
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Program Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition: $11,704, Books: $498, Supplies: $200
This program is fully eligible for financial aid.
Estimates based on in-state residency. Please visit the following URL to learn more about tuition and fees for this program. https://www.nwtc.edu/admissions-and-aid/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees?ProgramCode=106011
Requirements for Program Entry
- Please note that all new students apply to the technical diploma program. While attending you may later have the associate degree added.
Program Outcomes
- Install HVAC/R components.
- Service HVAC/R systems.
- Troubleshoot HVAC/R systems.
- Evaluate HVAC/R system designs.
- Startup, service, and repair HVAC/R systems.
- Develop, wire, and troubleshoot HVAC/R control circuits.
- Perform HVAC/R performance tests.
- Design and install HVAC/R systems.
- Evaluate airflow systems for new and existing applications.
- Determine heating and cooling demand requirements.
- Select heating and cooling equipment and auxiliary components.
- Safely utilize industry standard tools, meters, and test instruments.
- Communicate and document detailed service reports effectively.
- Prepare for EPA Refrigerant Handling Exam.
- Earn OSHA 30 certification.
Curriculum
Students following the study plan below will complete the HVAC/R associate degree in the number of semesters shown.
First Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Second Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Third Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Fourth Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
- Curriculum Note: The credit for 10-890-101, College 101 is an Institutional Requirement for graduation. Consequently, it is not part of the program requirements, but must be passed with a C or better.
Course Descriptions
An introduction to using HVAC industry standard mobile apps, file management, cloud storage, and integration between applications. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the HVAC/R program, Technical Diploma or Basics Certificate)
Course Typically Offered: FallStudents gain skills that lead to success in college and employment. This course encourages students to develop a growth mindset and make wise choices. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringTopics include solving linear equations; graphing; percent; proportions; measurement systems; computational geometry; and right triangle trigonometry. Emphasis will be on the application of skills to technical problems. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Arithmetic score greater/equal to 250 AND Rdg score greater/equal to 250; OR TABE A 9/10 Math greater/equal to 12.7 AND Rdg greater/equal to 8.8; OR TABE 11/12 Math greater/equal to 780 AND Rdg greater/equal to 573; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 15 AND ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory courses-contact an academic advisor 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall Springan introduction to basic electricity and the proper use of a digital multi-meter as it applies to typical HVAC switching circuits. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the HVAC Technology Program, Technical Diploma, or Basics Certificate.)
Course Typically Offered: FallIntroduction to basic mechanical devices and tools used for assembly, disassembly and adjustment.
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringAddresses OSHA 29CFR1926 rules and is approved by OSHA for construction workers, foremen, job supervisors, and anyone involved in construction trades. Successful participants receive 30-hour card from OSHA.
Course Typically Offered: Fall SpringHeat transfer principles related to refrigeration, refrigeration components, and installation techniques. (Prerequisite: 10-601-211 HVAC Electricity 1)
Course Typically Offered: FallGas furnace installation; including gas piping practices, venting practices, and combustion air. (Prerequisite: 10-601-211 HVAC Electricity 1)
Course Typically Offered: FallAn introduction to duct installation, sheet metal fabrication, and the codes related to installing air distribution systems. (Prerequisite:10-601-211 HVAC Electricity 1)
Course Typically Offered: FallLockout-tagout procedures and electrical safety, introduction and troubleshooting of basic HVAC electromechanical components. (Prerequisite: 10-601-211 HVAC Electricity 1)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThe study of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) equipment, air measurement, applications, installation, and service. (Prerequisite: 10-601-241 HVAC Installation, 10-601-231 HVAC Refrigeration/AC 1, 10-601-221 HVAC Heating 1)
Course Typically Offered: SpringIndustry standard refrigeration service practices and EPA certification. (Prerequisite: 10-601-211 HVAC Electricity 1)
Course Typically Offered: SpringGas furnace combustion principles and component functionality. (Prerequisite: 10-601-212 HVAC Electricity 2)
Course Typically Offered: SpringTypical HVAC sequences, HVAC wiring schematics, and HVAC control troubleshooting. (Prerequisite: 10-601-241 HVAC Installation, 10-601-231 HVAC Refrigeration/AC 1, 10-601-221 HVAC Heating 1, 10-601-212 HVAC Electricity 2, 10-601-251 HVAC Air Systems 1)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis course focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory course-contact an academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringGas furnace troubleshooting, repair, and component replacement. (Prerequisite: 10-601-222 Heating 2, 10-601-213 HVAC Electricity 3)
Course Typically Offered: FallRefrigeration cycle analysis, design, system diagnostics and air conditioning charging practices. (Prerequisite: 10-601-222 Heating 2, 10-601-213 HVAC Electricity 3)
Course Typically Offered: FallThe study of air properties, air balancing, economizers, and air distribution equipment. (Prerequisite: 10-601-222 Heating 2, 10-601-213 HVAC Electricity 3)
Course Typically Offered: FallBlueprint reading, heating/cooling load calculations, equipment selection, and air distribution system design. (Prerequisite:10-601-252 HVAC Air Systems 2)
Course Typically Offered: FallElectric heat, heat pumps, dual fuel systems, and controls. (Prerequisite: 10-601-223 HVAC Heating 3)
Course Typically Offered: FallLearners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: High school GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 18; OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 260; OR "preparatory course(s)", contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringInduction to induction motor theory and application, variable frequency drive application, electronically commutated motors, controls, and troubleshooting. (Prerequisite: 10-601-213 HVAC Electricity 3)
Course Typically Offered: SpringHydronic heating system design, installation, and service. (Prerequisite: 10-601-224 HVAC Heating 4)
Course Typically Offered: SpringBasic American values of justice and equality by teaching vocabulary, history of immigration/conquest, transcultural communication, legal liability, multicultural majority/minority relations, ageism, sexism, gender, sexual orientation, the disabled/ADA. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringTroubleshooting air conditioning systems, repair, component replacement, commissioning, and an introduction to ductless split. (Prerequisite: 10-601-233 HVAC Refrigeration/AC 3)
Course Typically Offered: SpringHVAC soft skills, invoice writing, diagnostic skill development, and live troubleshooting of HVAC equipment problems. (Prerequisite: 10-601-214 HVAC Electricity 4, 10-601-225 HVAC Heating 5-Hydronics, 10-601-261 Design Applications)
Course Typically Offered: SpringSurvey of theoretical foundations of human behavior such as sensation and perception, motivation, emotions, learning, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, stress, and human diversity in personal, social and vocational settings. (Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater OR satisfactory reading and writing assessment scores OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better OR Corequisite: 10-831-102, English Comp Prep)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall Spring