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HVAC
The HVAC program presents technical training to students in the areas of electricity, heating, residential air conditioning, refrigeration, sheet metal fabrication, direct digital controls (DDC) & commercial HVAC applications. This program provides students with industry credentialing in the areas of refrigerant handling safety, tool usage and control fundamentals. Foundational skills and principles learned in this program prepare students to work in the commercial and residential HVAC market place.
Program Description
The DC3 HVAC program is aligned with the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) CIP code 47.0201: Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician. A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, install, service and maintain the operating condition of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Includes instruction in diagnostic techniques, the use of testing equipment and the principles of mechanics, electricity, and electronics as they relate to the repair of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Students in the HVAC program are eligible to earn industry-recognized certifications, including:
- EPA 608
- OSHA 10
- HVAC Excellence entry-level credentials, such as:
- Electrical & Refrigeration Theory
- Air Conditioning, Gas Heat, & Electrical
Program Information
About Program (Skills)
Students completing the HVAC program will gain the following:
- Brazing
- Soldering
- Pipe threading and fitting
- Electrical Wiring
- Electrical schematic reading
- Refrigeration troubleshooting
- Furnace troubleshooting and maintenance
- Sheetmetal
- Reading Blueprints
Career Options
Graduates of the HVAC program may pursue the following careers:
- Field Service Technician
- Field installer
- Journeyman
- Project Manager
- Job foreman
- Controls technician
- Draftsperson
- Contractor
- Inspector
- Facilities technician
- Instructor
- Sales representative
- Estimator
2 years (60 credits)
Associate of Applied Science
1 year (44 credits)
Certificate
Tuition
$30*/per credit hour
Fees
$125**/per credit hour
Books
All materials are included
Other Program Fees
$700
* This rate applies to residents of Ford County. The rate for residents outside of Ford County is $60/per credit hour. International rate is $80/per credit hour.
** Online Courses have an additional $10/per credit hour fee.
Tuition and fees are subject to change
Fall
Students may start this program at the beginning of the fall semester.
Job Outlook*
HVAC Mechanics and Installers – 6.5% Growth
Annual Median Salary*
HVAC Mechanics and Installers – $49,020
*As of August 2025
Faculty
Andy Ruiz
Assistant Professor of Welding
AAS in HVAC, Master Mechanical License, Master Plumbing License – Dodge City Community College
Sample Degree Plan
Year 1
Fall I: (14 Credits)
- CECT 115-1001 – HVAC Fundamentals – 4 Credit
- CECT 105-1001 – Workplace Skills – 1 Credits
- CECT 120-1001 – Electrical Fundamentals – 4 Credits
- CECT 121-1001 – Electrical Fundamentals II – 1 Credits
- OSHA 110-1301 – OSHA 10 – 1 Credits
- *^ENG 102 or ENG 104 – English Comp I T▶ – 3 Credits
Spring I: (15 Credits)
- CECT 125-1001 – Heating System Fundamentals – 3 Credits
- CECT 130-1001 – Advanced Electrical Theory HVAC – 2 Credits
- CECT 135-1001 – Heating Systems – 3 Credits
- CECT 140-1001 – Sheet Metal Fabrication I – 3 Credits
- *SP 106/206 – Public Speaking OR Interpersonal Communication – 3 Credits
- PE or HLTH 101 – PE Elective or First Aid T▶ – 1 Credits
Year 2
Fall II: (17 Credits)
- CECT 205-1001 – Energy Loads & Calculate – 4 Credits
- CECT 225-1001 – Heating System Fundamentals II – 2 Credits
- CECT 210-1001 – EPA 608 – 1 Credits
- CECT 215-1001 – Intro to Mechanical Refrigeration – 4 Credits
- ^MATH 101 or MATH 104 – Modern College Math (OR above) – 3 Credits
- ECON 101/102 or BUS 100 – Macro, Micro Econ or Intro to Business T▶ – 3 Credits
Spring II: (14 Credits)
- CECT 230-1001 – Heat Pumps – 3 Credits
- CECT 235-1001 – Commercial HVAC – 4 Credits
- CECT 236-1001 – Commercial HVAC Lab – 4 Credits
- Computer Sci Basic Skill – See list at MyDC3 – My Course Needs T▶ – 3 Credits
Year 1
Fall I: (11 Credits)
- CECT 115-1001 – HVAC Fundamentals – 4 Credit
- CECT 105-1001 – Workplace Skills – 1 Credits
- CECT 120-1001 – Electrical Fundamentals – 4 Credits
- CECT 121-1001 – Electrical Fundamentals II – 1 Credits
- OSHA 110-1301 – OSHA 10 – 1 Credits
Spring I: (11 Credits)
- CECT 125-1001 – Heating System Fundamentals – 3 Credits
- CECT 130-1001 – Advanced Electrical Theory HVAC – 2 Credits
- CECT 135-1001 – Heating Systems – 3 Credits
- CECT 140-1001 – Sheet Metal Fabrication I – 3 Credits
Year 2
Fall II: (11 Credits)
- CECT 205-1001 – Energy Loads & Calculate – 4 Credits
- CECT 225-1001 – Heating System Fundamentals II – 2 Credits
- CECT 210-1001 – EPA 608 – 1 Credits
- CECT 215-1001 – Intro to Mechanical Refrigeration – 4 Credits
Spring II: (11 Credits)
- CECT 230-1001 – Heat Pumps – 3 Credits
- CECT 235-1001 – Commercial HVAC – 4 Credits
- CECT 236-1001 – Commercial HVAC Lab – 4 Credits
Key
T▶ Kansas Systemwide Transfer Course
* Course requires a C or higher
^ Course has a testing or prerequisite requirement
Click here to see all of our available Degree Maps.