The welding labor market is tightening as infrastructure and manufacturing employers compete for credentialed workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects roughly 42,000 annual openings for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers through 2033. That shortage tilts the decision toward welding trade schools that combine fast credential completion with enough booth time to pass a certification test.
Miller-Motte College's Combination Welding diploma is a 10-month, 56.5 credit-hour program with hands-on welding booth work and certification preparation. The program is offered at three campuses: Augusta, GA; Raleigh, NC; and Fayetteville, NC. The main trade-off is not the curriculum, but how total cost, financial aid, and campus schedule line up with a student's ability to attend.
Programs at Miller-Motte College-Arizona Automotive Institute
Welding
- 10-Month program
- 56.5 total credit hours
- Rolling admissions
- Starts rolling
- Financial aid available
- Prepares for NCCER credentials
- Teaches SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
- Hands-on training in real shop settings
- Job placement support with Phoenix employers
- Prepares for AWS certification exams
- Training in blueprint and symbol reading
- No welding experience required
Welding Programs Offered at Miller-Motte College
Credential Levels
Miller-Motte College's primary welding offering is the Combination Welding program. In the school's current materials, this program is listed as a diploma requiring 56.5 credit hours and designed to be completed in about 10 months. The 56.5-credit figure is tied specifically to the diploma format. The college's published welding materials do not identify a separate associate degree in welding, and a standalone pipe welding specialization is not listed.
A February 2025 announcement for the Fayetteville, North Carolina campus described the Combination Welding program as a certificate rather than a diploma. That difference may reflect a campus-specific catalog version or a change in credential wording. Prospective students should confirm the exact credential name, credit total, and length at the campus they plan to attend.
Welding Processes Covered
The Combination Welding curriculum introduces four main arc welding processes: - Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), often called stick welding - Gas metal arc welding (GMAW), often called MIG welding - Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) - Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), often called TIG welding
Some campus descriptions, including the Fayetteville announcement, also include plasma arc cutting (PAC). The combination format gives students a hands-on introduction to welding processes used most often in construction, manufacturing, and pipe welding.
Campus Availability
Official program pages currently list the Combination Welding program in Augusta, Georgia and Raleigh, North Carolina. Campus and program search results also list Fayetteville, North Carolina. Those sources identify three campuses with the program but do not confirm that welding is available at every Miller-Motte location.
Because availability may vary by state and start date, contacting the campus directly is the most reliable way to check current offerings. Students comparing campuses should ask whether the credential is labeled a diploma or certificate and whether all four core processes plus plasma arc cutting are included in the local curriculum.
Program Length, Schedules, and Delivery Formats by Campus
Miller-Motte College lists five campuses with welding training. The table below shows the credential, stated length, scheduling notes, and delivery format for each campus where the school publishes those details.
| Campus | Credential | Length | Schedule | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miller-Motte College, Raleigh, NC | Combination Welding | 10 months | Rolling start dates every 5 weeks; specific day, evening, or weekend schedule not stated | In-person |
| Miller-Motte College, Fayetteville, NC | Combination Welding | 10 months | Rolling start dates every 5 weeks; specific day, evening, or weekend schedule not stated | In-person |
| Miller-Motte College, Arizona Automotive Institute, Glendale, AZ | Combination Welding | 10 months | Rolling enrollment; starts about every five weeks; day, evening, or weekend option not stated | In-person |
| Miller-Motte College, San Antonio, TX | Welding Technology / Welder | 10 months | Day, evening, and weekend scheduling available for select in-person and online classes; campus-specific welding availability not stated | In-person |
| Miller-Motte College, Corpus Christi, TX | Welding Technology / Welder | 10 months | Day, evening, and weekend scheduling available for select in-person and online classes; campus-specific welding availability not stated | In-person |
Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Payment Options
For many Miller-Motte welding students, the deciding factor is how much of the upfront Welding School Cost and supplies can be covered by aid rather than out-of-pocket payments, weighed against the longer-term earnings potential of Welding Jobs available with a welding credential.
Federal Aid Starts With the FAFSA
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step for welding students who want to see whether they qualify for federal grants, work-study, or student loans. Federal grants such as the Pell Grant do not have to be repaid if the student meets eligibility rules, but aid is always based on individual financial and enrollment circumstances. Miller-Motte College Financial Services Officers help students complete the FAFSA and review federal and external aid eligibility.
Scholarships and Grants
Scholarship and grant funding can reduce the amount students borrow. At the Fayetteville campus, the Empowering Equality in Trade Professions Scholarship may award up to 15 scholarships of $2,500 per year to first-time students enrolling in eligible skilled trades programs, including Combination Welding. That award is listed for the Fayetteville campus, so students at other campuses should verify current scholarship lists through the school's Consumer Information pages or the campus financial aid office. Other scholarships and grants may be available to students who meet specific criteria.
Veterans and Military Benefits
Miller-Motte College says it is approved by the applicable State Approving Agency to accept military education benefits. Eligible students may use programs such as: - Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) - Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) - Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) - Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) - Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants Eligibility, remaining entitlement, and program approval can vary by campus and format, so veterans should work with both the campus financial aid office and the VA application process before relying on a specific benefit amount.
Payment Plans, Direct Payment, and Other Options
Students who do not cover the full cost through aid may use a payment plan or financing arrangement, but terms, deposits, installments, and availability are set through the Financial Services Office and can vary by student and program. Miller-Motte College also lists direct payment as an option when funds are available. State Vocational Rehabilitation benefits may be an option for students whose disability affects employment. For current eligibility details, call the school at 866-675-8060 or contact the financial aid office at your campus.
Accreditation, Approvals, and Industry Certifications
Institutional Accreditation: ACCSC
Miller-Motte College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). ACCSC is a national accreditor for career and technical schools, and its status is commonly used for federal financial aid eligibility. Accreditation is campus by campus. Miller-Motte's materials list ACCSC-accredited campuses in Augusta, Georgia; Columbus, Georgia; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Jacksonville, North Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.1 The Macon, Georgia campus closed on April 30, 2026, according to ACCSC Voluntary Withdrawals and School Closures. Confirm the campus you plan to attend before enrolling.
NCCER Curriculum Alignment
The Combination Welding program uses a curriculum aligned with NCCER standards. It covers safety, tool handling, and hands-on welding tasks. At the Fayetteville campus, Miller-Motte states students can earn up to five NCCER credentials during the program. Students may pursue NCCER credentials during or after completing the aligned coursework, but this is preparation, not a guarantee. NCCER credentials depend on test performance, eligibility, and outside exam rules. NCCER recognition applies to the curriculum itself. It does not confirm that Miller-Motte is an NCCER Accredited Training and Education Facility or that every campus offers on-site exams.
AWS Certifications and Exam Access
The Augusta campus announcement says the program prepares students for welding certification tests meeting AWS standards, but Miller-Motte has not stated whether AWS exams are offered on campus. For AWS-specific goals, contact the campus directly or plan to test at a local AWS facility. The school has not published NCCER or AWS exam schedules, testing locations, exam fees, or pass rates. Program tuition generally covers instruction, classroom time, welding lab and equipment access, and student support services. Certification exam fees may be separate or paid directly to the certifying organization. Third-party certifications are not guaranteed, so review welding certification requirements by state and ask for a written breakdown before you enroll.
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Admissions Requirements and How to Apply
Admission to Miller-Motte's welding program depends less on prior fabrication experience than on gathering the right paperwork and starting the enrollment conversation. If you are a career changer or first-time student, the main hurdle is not proving you can already weld; it is confirming eligibility details with an admissions representative and selecting a start date.
Who Can Apply
The published admissions guidance says applicants without a high school diploma should speak with an admissions representative to discuss options. A high school diploma or GED is the typical starting point for many applicants, but official welding pages stop short of publishing a welding-specific rule. Official welding pages also do not state a minimum age, so confirm that detail with the campus you are considering. Prior welding experience is not required, and the Combination Welding diploma is written for students starting from scratch. Miller-Motte provides welding equipment and tools used during training, so you do not need to supply your own gear before applying.
Documents and Application Steps
The school does not publish one welding-specific document checklist. Expect an admissions representative to walk through what your campus requires, which may include proof of high school completion or equivalent and a government-issued ID. Ask whether transcripts are needed for your background. The clearest published path is to schedule a tour or contact the campus, work with a representative through the catalog admissions requirements, and complete enrollment before the first class. Review the enrollment agreement carefully so you understand cost, schedule, and refund terms. If you plan to use federal financial aid, complete the FAFSA early so your file is ready before enrollment.
Start Dates and Rolling Admission
Admission is rolling, and the program lists start dates throughout the year. As one example, the Fayetteville campus announced a March 17, 2025 start, but that does not guarantee the same schedule at every welding campus in 2026. Treat it as evidence of rolling availability rather than a universal deadline, and contact your campus early to lock in a term.
How to Apply to the Miller-Motte College Welding Program
Applying to the Miller-Motte College welding program follows a straightforward sequence. Most students can complete the process online and in a few conversations with the admissions team. Work through the steps below to move from inquiry to enrollment.
Common Questions About Miller-Motte College Welding
Here are direct answers to common questions about Miller-Motte College's Combination Welding program, based on the school's current website and campus announcements. Because welding program costs and schedules can vary by location, confirm details with admissions before enrolling.
- How much does Miller-Motte College welding program cost?
- The official welding program page does not list a single tuition amount. Costs vary by campus, schedule, and individual circumstances, and published tuition typically includes instruction, classroom work, welding lab and equipment access, and student support and career services. A third-party database lists $21,228 for Raleigh's welding program based on 2024 to 2025 data, but the college has not confirmed that figure for all campuses or for 2026.
- How long is Miller-Motte College welding program?
- Miller-Motte's welding-specific page lists the Combination Welding diploma at 10 months and 56.5 credit hours. A February 2025 announcement for the Fayetteville campus described completion in 40 weeks, and a general skilled-trades page has cited about 13 months. These differences may reflect campus schedules, page versions, or program updates, so confirm the welding school duration for your campus.
- What is the Miller-Motte College welding program job placement rate?
- Miller-Motte has not published a current job placement rate specific to the Combination Welding program. A 2025 third-party review mentions welding programs reporting employment rates above 60 percent, but that figure lacks a specific campus, cohort year, or methodology, and it is not an official Miller-Motte disclosure. The school describes career-services assistance such as job search help, resume preparation, and employer connections.
- Does Miller-Motte College offer welding certification testing on site?
- Miller-Motte's program is designed to prepare students for NCCER credentialing and covers core welding knowledge areas that welder certifications evaluate. The Augusta campus announcement also says the program prepares students for welding certification tests meeting AWS standards. The school has not stated that it administers NCCER or AWS tests on site, so students should confirm test locations with the campus.
- What campuses offer Miller-Motte College welding programs?
- As of 2026, Miller-Motte lists Combination Welding at three campuses: Augusta, Georgia; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Raleigh, North Carolina. Locations are 3128-A Deans Bridge Road in Augusta, 3725 Ramsey Street in Fayetteville, and 3901 Capital Boulevard, Suite 151 in Raleigh. Campus-specific phone numbers are available on the college's welding program page.