Contact Information
General Contact
- School Code: 726000
- Phone: (888) 220-7822
- School Homepage
Admissions Office
Financial Aid Office
FINANCIAL AID RATE
93%STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
24:1DEGREE OFFERED ONLINE
12FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.
$4,547Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students
Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid
Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition
School Map
Welding Program
The welding program at Southwest Virginia Community College prepares students for careers as welding engineers, manufacturing engineers, application engineers, sales engineers, and project engineer or manager. The program focuses on applying technical knowledge and skills to join or cut metal surfaces. Program course include: arc welding, resistance welding, brazing and soldering, cutting, high-energy beam welding and cutting, solid state welding, ferrous and non-ferrous materials, oxidation-reduction reactions, welding metallurgy, welding process and heat treating, structural design, safety, and codes and standards. Get more details below including other Virginia colleges that offer welding program.
Learn more by requesting information now!

Southwest Virginia Community College
Also known as Southwest Virginia
109 Campus Drive, Alberta, VA
Southwest Virginia Community College, located in Richlands, Virginia was founded in 1968 to serve residents of Russel, Tazewall, and Buchanan Counties, and partially serves Dickenson County. The school is one of 23 that comprise the Virginia Community College District.
SWVCC has an annual enrollment of over 4000 students, and is dedicated to providing them with the best education possible through a qualified faculty and support services. Southwest Virginia CC also regularly review programs and facilities, ensuring they are up to date and meet the needs of current and future students.
Academics
Southwest Virginia Community College offers a number of programs that allow students to choose a career training or academic transfer track that best fits their needs. Career training programs prepare students for careers in a chosen area of study. Enrolled students will be able to enter the work force as professionals upon completion of their program, having been through the necessary courses, which include study in theory, practice, application and methodology.
Practical experience is gained through controlled and supervised settings that allow for error and growth. A program takes between one and two years to complete, resulting in a certificate or degree which assists graduates in seeking employment at the entry level.
Academic transfer is achieved through the completion of the first two years of a four year education at SVCC, followed by applying for transfer to a college or university and finishing the final two years of study and earning one's bachelor's degree.
Enrolled students applying to Virginia public institutions will have ease of transfer through agreements that guarantee admission if certain academic prerequisites are met. Transfer to out of state or private schools will require the student to requirements of the individual school to be considered for admission, and as a result should consult a counselor and research his or her desired schools prior to applying.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Individuals interested in enrollment at Southwest Virginia Community College may do so through the school's open enrollment policy, which only requires the applicant to be 18 years of age or have a high school diploma or GED. Those who meet the minimum requirements must submit a completed application and pay all fees prior to the start of classes in order to enroll.
Prospective SWVCC students are also asked to supply previous transcripts and standardized test scores if available, the information from which may be used to substitute the required placement exam. A visit to a counselor and participation in new student orientation are also encouraged.
Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which is used by the financial aid office to construct a aid plan that is based on the student's need and aid program eligibility. Aid must be reapplied for prior to the start of each academic year.
Students Enrolled in the Welding Program
Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Southwest Virginia has offered the following degree levels for students:
- Less Than One Year Certificate
- Less Than Two-Year Award
- Less Than Four-Year Award
Students by Academic Level (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Less Than One Year Certificate | 10 |
Less Than Two-Year Award | 0 |
Less Than Four-Year Award | 3 |
Students by Gender (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Male | 10 |
Female | 3 |
Students by Race (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
White | 13 |
Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.
Career Options for Graduates
Students who have completed the Welding program at Southwest Virginia, have entered into some of these more popular career paths listed below:Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
Description
Use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, welders, cutters, and welder fitters employment is expected to grow at a rate of 3.6% from 2014 to 2024
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Description
Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -18.0% from 2014 to 2024
Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Admission Requirements & Details
The information regarding admissions below may provide a better idea of the students Southwest Virginia Community College accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and alumni, Southwest Virginia Community College may provide services like:- Online classes
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Academic counseling for students
- Student employment