Students must be currently working in a registered apprenticeship program in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, and the United Association (UA).

The apprenticeship program prepares the student to earn a journey-level status in Pipefitting; as well as earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Applied Industrial Technology. A five-year apprenticeship emphasizes the skill set required to be a highly skilled craftsman. A pipefitter apprentice will learn to layout, fabricate, assemble, install, maintain, and repair piping systems that transport fluids, slurries and gas in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. They specialize in planning, design, and installation of low- and high-pressure steam systems. Their work is in fields such as refineries, paper mills, nuclear power plants, manufacturing plants, and in the automotive industry. The systems that the pipefitter may work on are some of the highest pressure and temperature applications and require a thorough knowledge of scientific principles to complete this work safely.

Program contact: Learn more

This degree program contains one or more embedded certificates which will be automatically awarded when the certificate requirements are completed. If you do not want to receive the embedded certificate(s), please notify the Office of the Registrar at RegistrarOffice@tri-c.edu.

Learn more about how certificate credits apply to the related degree.

Program Admission Requirements

  • Participant must be currently working in a registered apprenticeship program in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, and the United Association (UA).
  • High School Diploma/GED

Program Learning Outcomes

This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

  1. Communicate verbally, non-verbally and in writing with the construction team that include members of other trades, contractors, customers, and public officials and agencies.
  2. Work independently and in a team setting to accomplish work in a timely, professional, and cost effective manner.
  3. Act according to the United Association of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Code of Excellence and continually upgrade knowledge and skills.
  4. Recognize, analyze and apply critical thinking to resolve issues as they arise while minimizing waste and improving productivity.
  5. Use appropriate personal protective equipment and fall protection to ensure a safe and environmentally sensitive work environment in accordance with OSHA and other federal, state, local and contractor’s standards, policies, and regulations.
  6. Apply basic and advanced math concepts and operations and blueprint reading to accurately determine layout in order to fabricate and complete various pipe trade tasks that minimize waste.
  7. Apply knowledge of math, pipe hydraulic theory, blueprints, and tools to install, repair and test basic piping systems that meet industry codes and standards.
  8. Apply knowledge of advance math to install, repair and test hydronic heating and cooling systems, steam systems, process piping, fire protection sprinkler systems, and refrigeration systems according to national, state, local and other applicable industry codes and standards.
  9. Obtain all required certifications in the pipe fitting industry.

Suggested Semester Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredit Hours
ATPF-1210 Rigging 2
ATPL-1000 Care and Use of Tools 2
ATCM-1341 OSHA Standards for Construction 2
Any Approved Ohio Transfer 36 Mathematics course 3
Select one of the following: 3
BADM-xxxx
Business Elective
CNST-xxxx
CNST Elective
Select one of the following: 3
College Composition I
Honors College Composition I
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
ATPF-1220 Basic Pipefitting Layout 1
ATPF-xxxxPipefitter Elective 2
ATPF-xxxxPipefitter Elective 2
Communication requirements 3
Select one of the following: 3
Computer Applications
Honors Computer Applications
Select one of the following: 3
BADM-xxxx
Business Elective
CNST-xxxx
CNST Elective
Personal Finance
 Credit Hours14
Third Semester
ATPF-1360 Hydronic Heating and Cooling 2
ATPF-xxxxElective 2
ATPL-2510 Pumps 2
Natural Science requirement 3
Arts & Humanities/Social & Behavioral Science requirement 3
Select one of the following: 2-3
BADM-xxxx
Business Elective
Construction Print Reading
 Credit Hours14-15
Fourth Semester
ATPF-2340 Steam Systems 2
ATPF-xxxxElective 1
ATPF-xxxxPipefitter Elective 2
Select one of the following: 3
BADM-2xxx
2000 level Business Elective
Construction Methods and Materials
 Credit Hours8
Summer Completion
AIT-2990 Contracting in a Diverse World 3
ATPF-xxxxPipefitter Elective 2
ATPF-xxxxPipefitter Elective 2
ATPL-2560 Foreman Certification 2
 Credit Hours9
 Total Credit Hours60-61

Electives

Electives

Recommended courses to select from to fulfill elective requirements.

BADM-1020Introduction to Business3
BADM-1210Labor-Management Relations3
BADM-1122Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior3
BADM-1301Small Business Management3
BADM-2151Business Law3
BADM-2450New Business Development5
CNST-1281Construction Engineering Orientation3
CNST-1290Construction Print Reading2
CNST-1510Green Building & Sustainability I3
CNST-2131Construction Methods and Materials3
FIN-1061Personal Finance3

MATH-1140, MATH-1141, MATH-1200, MATH-1270, and MATH-1280 can no longer count towards fulfilling the college-level mathematics requirement.  These courses were re-classified as developmental mathematics by the state of Ohio in 2016.  Tri-C established a 5-year transitioning window for students who had completed these courses prior to 2016 to apply them towards meeting graduation requirements, which expired in Summer 2021. It is highly recommended to see a counselor to determine the appropriate math required for your current major.