A certificate program in HVAC will qualify a student to work as an HVAC technician, but associate's degree programs are also available. These programs are most commonly offered at two-year community colleges and technical schools.
10 Schools with HVAC Programs
These schools offer HVAC programs at the certificate and associate's degree levels.
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | Tuition and Fees 2015-2016* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dade College | Miami, FL | 4-year, Public | Certificate | $2,834 in-state $9,661 out-of-state |
| Houston Community College | Houston, TX | 2-year, Public | Certificate | $1,632 in-district $3,360 in-state $3,756 out-of-state |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale, VA | 2-year, Public | Certificate Associate's | $5,138 in-state $11,055 out-of-state |
| Lone Star College System | The Woodlands, TX | 2-year, Public | Certificate Associate's | $1,504 in-district $3,184 in-state $3,544 out-of-state |
| College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas, NV | 4-year, Public | Certificate Associate's | $2,805 in-state $9,450 out-of-state |
| Tarrant County College District | Fort Worth, TX | 2-year, Public | Certificate Associate's | $1,320 in-district $2,064 in-state $4,920 out-of-state |
| Riverside City College | Riverside, CA | 2-year, Public | Certificate Associate's | $1,426 in-state $7,366 out-of-state |
| Austin Community College District | Austin, TX | 2-year, Public | Certificate Associate's | $2,550 in-district $9,210 in-state $11,340 out-of-state |
| Pima Community College | Tucson, AZ | 2-year, Public | Certificate Associate's | $1,974 in-state $8,610 out-of-state |
| Mt. San Antonio College | Walnut, CA | 2-year, Public | Certificate Associate's | $1,348 in-state $7,960 out-of-state |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics
School Selection Criteria
Students should consider the following when looking for HVAC schools:
- It is important to find out if an apprenticeship is included within the program, as it can increase the time to completion but also provide valuable real-world experience.
- Some community colleges or vocational schools may offer classes at night, on weekends or online, which can benefit students who have families or work obligations.
- Prospective students may want to get information about the school's training facilities in order to ensure that they will gain experience with industry-standard HVAC technologies.
- Since Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification is required for technicians who work with refrigerants, prospective students may want to find out what the pass rate is for graduates on the certification exam.
Certificate Programs
In undergraduate certificate programs for aspiring HVAC technicians, students are introduced to the basics of heating, air conditioning and ventilation technology, for both residential and commercial systems. Some programs also include specific training for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Certification exam, which is required for all technicians who work with refrigerants. While some certificate programs include only courses, others are offered in combination with an apprenticeship, which can last for six months to two years. In apprenticeship programs, students take courses while also getting hands-on training in the field under the supervision of an experienced journeyman. It is important to note that apprentices are paid for their work.
Associate's Degree Programs
Some schools offer associate's degree programs for students who want to prepare for an entry-level HVAC technician job while also completing general education courses. In total, these programs require at least two years of full-time study to complete.
There are also some schools at which students can earn an associate's degree while also completing an apprenticeship. These combined programs usually last four years.
Students who are interested in HVAC should consider factors such as time to completion and scheduling options when choosing between programs. They should also consider whether the program includes an apprenticeship in the field.
