Delta Technical College Welding Programs: A Practical Guide

Mississippi welders earn a median annual wage of $49,490, and the state's vocational training pipeline feeds a steady regional demand for structural and pipe welders. Delta Technical College offers a practical entry point through two hands-on programs: a seven-month Welding Program at its Horn Lake and Ridgeland campuses and a ten-month Welding & Pipefitting Program at Horn Lake only.

Instruction centers on booth time, and the school holds national institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). In a state where certification often decides whether a welder qualifies for a job, the difference between a seven-month welding diploma and a ten-month pipefitting track is as much a labor market decision as a scheduling one.

Delta Technical College Welding Program Options

Delta Technical College offers two welding tracks: a 7-month Welding Program at its Horn Lake and Ridgeland, Mississippi campuses and a 10-month Welding & Pipefitting Program at Horn Lake only. Both are hands-on, skills-based vocational programs built around booth time.

• 7-Month Welding Program: Diploma, about 30 weeks, offered in Horn Lake and Ridgeland.
• 10-Month Welding & Pipefitting Program: Diploma or certificate, about 40 weeks, offered in Horn Lake only.
• 10-Week Pipefitting Course: 9 credits and 250 clock hours, not a welding degree track.

What the 7-Month Welding Program Covers

The 7-month option leads to a diploma. Students train in shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW/TIG), gas metal arc welding (GMAW/MIG), and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW). The curriculum also includes fitting, safety, and blueprint reading, with an emphasis on repeated lab practice so students leave with documented weld time. DTC states that 7-month Welding Program students can earn DTC welding certifications, though the program page does not list each certification by formal title. The program is available at both the Horn Lake and Ridgeland campuses.

What the 10-Month Welding & Pipefitting Program Adds

The 10-month track is offered only at Horn Lake. It covers the same welding processes and shop fundamentals as the 7-month program, then adds roughly 10 weeks of basic and advanced pipefitting. DTC lists the credential as a diploma or certificate depending on program completion. This option is designed for students targeting pipe welding and industrial pipefitting roles. Ridgeland students who want the pipefitting component would need to attend Horn Lake for this track.

The Separate 10-Week Pipefitting Course

DTC also lists a 10-Week Pipefitting Course. It is not a welding degree or associate track. The course is structured as 9 credits and 250 clock hours, with about 62.5 outside clock hours. DTC describes it as a pipefitting course, so welders who want pipefitting skills without the full Welding & Pipefitting program may use it as a focused add-on.

Credential Level

DTC's FAQ states the school does not currently offer degree programs. Current welding options are certificate and diploma-level vocational programs, not associate degrees. Some community-college welding pathways may lead to an associate degree over two years, but that is a general pathway, not a DTC-specific credential. Students should confirm the exact diploma or certificate awarded for their chosen track with admissions.

Program Length, Schedules, and Campus Availability

The main choice here is speed versus specialization, which sits at the center of how long does welding school take. A seven-month Welding Program gets you into welding jobs faster, while the ten-month Welding & Pipefitting Program adds pipefitting skills but is only available at Horn Lake. That campus difference can be the deciding factor for Ridgeland-area students.

Program lengths and focus

• Welding Program: 7 months, or 30 weeks, offered at Horn Lake, MS and Ridgeland, MS.
• Welding & Pipefitting Program: 10 months, or 40 weeks, offered only at Horn Lake, MS.

The school's program pages present these as week-based durations rather than a single credit-hour total. Both programs fit within less than a year, and Delta Technical College describes each as available in daytime and evening formats. Students who want the shortest route to a welding credential can target the seven-month track; those aiming for pipe welding or pipefitting work may need the extra ten weeks.

Day and evening schedule blocks

The catalog lists Monday through Thursday class blocks for both welding programs: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The midday and evening blocks are useful for students who need to keep a daytime job. Class schedules vary by campus, so applicants should confirm the current Horn Lake or Ridgeland block before enrolling.

Campus availability

Horn Lake, located at 6530 Interstate Blvd, Horn Lake, MS 38637, runs both the 7-month Welding Program and the 10-month Welding & Pipefitting Program. Ridgeland offers the 7-month Welding Program only. That makes Horn Lake the required campus for students who want pipefitting training, while Ridgeland works best for students who want the shorter welding-only path. Location and program choice should be weighed together because only Horn Lake offers the longer track.

Flexibility to consider

Delta Technical College does not list a part-time or weekend-only welding option. Flexibility comes from choosing a daytime or evening block rather than reducing course load. In practical terms, this is a fast, full-time training route rather than a self-paced option. Students balancing work should check which evening or midday block is open at their preferred campus before applying.

Welding vs. Welding & Pipefitting: Which Program Fits You?

Delta Technical College offers two welding-related tracks: a standard welding program and a welding and pipefitting program. Use this side-by-side view to see which aligns with your career goals.

Tuition, Total Cost, and Financial Aid for Welding Students

Paying for welding training often means comparing welding school cost against your estimated net price after grants, loans, and scholarships. At Delta Technical College, the most reliable move is to request a current cost sheet directly from admissions and then cross-check federal data, because program-specific welding costs are not always itemized in public databases.

Ask for a Current Cost Sheet First

Delta Technical College does not publish a single verified total for the 7-month Welding and 10-month Welding & Pipefitting programs. Exact tuition, fees, books, tools, and total attendance costs can vary by campus and catalog year. Contact DTC admissions and request the current cost sheet for the exact program and campus you are considering, then verify the numbers against the official DTC catalog, program page, or financial aid office before enrolling.

Cross-Check Federal Data as a Reference

Use the U.S. Department of Education's College Navigator at nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator and search for Delta Technical College. Review the reported tuition, fees, and net price for the institution as a whole. Keep in mind that these figures are averages across all students and programs, so they may not break out welding-specific costs. The IPEDS Data Center can offer additional context, but treat both sources as starting points, not a final price quote. Confirm any program-level cost directly with the school.

Ask About Financial Aid Options

Welding students should ask DTC's financial aid office about:

• Federal grants: Pell Grants are the first place to look, based on financial need.
• Federal loans: Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans may help cover remaining costs.
• Work-study: Federal Work-Study can provide part-time income while enrolled.
• Scholarships: Ask about institutional and third-party scholarships, including trade-specific awards.
• Veteran benefits: Eligible students can use VA Chapter 33, Chapter 31, and other GI Bill benefits.

Complete the FAFSA as early as possible, then confirm your eligibility through StudentAid.gov and the VA. DTC's financial aid office can explain which options apply to your situation.

Compare Costs with Earnings and Ask About Extra Fees

Before enrolling, compare the total cost against welders' median pay and job outlook in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Check the American Welding Society (AWS) for additional scholarships, training resources, and professional guidance. Finally, ask DTC directly about tool and equipment costs, certification exam fees, and whether payment plans are available. Those line items can add up quickly and are sometimes separate from tuition.

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Accreditation, Approvals, and Certification Testing

Is Delta Technical College nationally accredited, and which welding certifications can you actually earn in its welding program? The short answer: Delta Technical College holds national institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), and its welding training can prepare you for the AWS Certified Welder test, but the school does not guarantee any single credential.

Institutional Accreditation

Delta Technical College is nationally accredited by ACCSC, an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for career, vocational, and technical schools. The college also states that it is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in federal financial aid programs. Published pages list authorization by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission as a postsecondary institution, though they do not always specify which campus or program that authorization covers.

Welding Certifications You Can Pursue

The welding program page describes training as preparation for welding certification tests, and DTC says students earn DTC welding certifications, although it does not list every certificate by formal title. Among external credentials, the only one named in DTC's published materials is the AWS Certified Welder from the American Welding Society (AWS). To earn that credential, you generally need to pass a welder performance qualification test at an AWS Accredited Test Facility and submit an application and fee to AWS. DTC does not state that it issues or guarantees an AWS D1.1 structural welding certification, and Mississippi does not require a state welder license. Many employers may still ask for AWS certification.

Testing Fees and Location

DTC's published welding school cost breakdowns list tuition plus separate categories such as books, metals, and gear. Those breakdowns do not confirm whether the external AWS test fee is included in tuition. Because AWS certification requires its own application and testing fee, treat that as a possible separate cost unless DTC's current enrollment agreement or campus fee schedule expressly says otherwise. DTC's public materials also do not state whether AWS testing takes place on campus or at an external AWS Accredited Test Facility. If this matters to you, ask Delta Tech directly for a written breakdown of fees and testing locations.

Program Approvals and Affiliations

In addition to ACCSC accreditation and federal financial aid eligibility, DTC lists authorization by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. No NCCER credential is named in DTC's welding materials. The cleanest approval questions to ask before enrolling are: Is the specific welding program included under the school's ACCSC accreditation, and which DTC-issued welding certifications carry employer recognition?

Admissions Requirements and Application Checklist

Use this checklist to prepare for the Delta Technical College welding program application.

• Minimum age

  Be at least 17 years old to enroll and at least 18 by graduation.
• Education

  Provide proof of a high school diploma, recognized equivalency (GED), or home-school completion.
• Application and interview

  Contact a DTC admissions representative by phone (866-733-6652) or visit the Horn Lake or Ridgeland campus. Complete a personal interview with an authorized representative; no online application or entrance exam is required.
• Required documents

  Bring a valid driver's license, state ID, or U.S. passport. Complete a health affidavit/screening and provide FAFSA or tax information when meeting with the Financial Aid Team.
• English proficiency

  Demonstrate the ability to speak, read, write, and comprehend English.
• Registration fee

  Pay the registration fee if applicable by the first day of class unless otherwise authorized, to secure your seat.
• Welding-specific prerequisites

  No prior welding coursework, work experience, industry certification, ACT/SAT scores, or placement tests are required.

Campus Profiles: Horn Lake and Ridgeland

Horn Lake Campus

Delta Technical College's Horn Lake campus is located at 6530 Interstate Boulevard, Horn Lake, MS 38637. Its posted campus phone number is (662) 729-8722, though a separate catalog and FAQ contact lists (662) 280-1443, so verify the correct line before calling. The campus page shows Monday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A catalog entry also lists Saturday hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every third Saturday, but the current campus page does not include Saturday hours, so confirm weekend availability in advance.

Horn Lake's welding program runs 7 months, and this campus also offers the 10-month Welding & Pipefitting option. The welding lab covers 6,900 square feet and is set up for stick, MIG, and TIG training, with a focus on pipe welding, pipefitting, and manufacturing skills for welding and fitting jobs. The building as a whole is about 50,000 square feet and houses other programs including HVAC/R, electrician, truck driving, cosmetology, and allied health. Horn Lake sits in DeSoto County just south of Memphis, Tennessee, so students often commute from northwest Mississippi or the Memphis metro, a region shared with other welding schools in Mississippi.

Ridgeland Campus

Delta Technical College's Ridgeland campus is at 113 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157. The catalog lists the phone as (601) 206-5200 and gives office hours of Monday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every third Saturday. The current Ridgeland campus page does not expose complete hours, so the catalog is the more complete official schedule in available sources.

Ridgeland offers the 7-month Welding program. Available sources do not publish Ridgeland-specific welding lab square footage, booth count, or equipment details, so students should contact the Ridgeland campus about lab features. The location is in the Jackson, Mississippi metro area, convenient for Ridgeland, Madison, and surrounding suburbs.

Program Availability and Scheduling Differences

Both campuses list the 7-month Welding program, while Welding & Pipefitting is documented as Horn Lake only. The catalog describes welding classes Monday through Thursday in three blocks: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., or 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Welding & Pipefitting uses the same blocks. Sources do not confirm which specific start times, cohorts, or seat availability were active at either campus in 2026, so contact admissions for current openings before applying. Both campuses list Sunday as closed.

Salary Insight: Welder Salary in Mississippi

Mississippi welders earn a median annual wage of $49,490, slightly below the U.S. median of $51,000.