Facilities
Welding Lab Expanded
Get hands-on experience in one of the largest facilities in higher education, using industry-standard equipment just like you’ll see in the real world.
Ultrasonic Inspection for Non-Destructive Testing
Competency Credential
About this program
Non-destructive testing (NDT) is widely used to guarantee the safety and durability of welds and all types of metal parts. Think about the airplane you took on vacation or the natural gas pipeline buried deep in the ground. The integrity of all joints and working parts is crucial. That’s where NDT comes into play. In this four-course competency credential, you’ll train in cutting-edge labs. Explore the latest ultrasonic technology. And master the process of finding defects in welds, pressure vessels, machinery, and other objects. Add these in-demand skills to advance your current career. Or pair with a degree in welding or aviation to open the door to even more opportunities.
Next steps...
You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.
Courses
At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.
Tour Schedule
Seeing is believing.
Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.
Mar 1
Undergraduate Open House
Saturday, March 19 AM - 3 PM
Apr 6
Undergraduate Open House
Sunday, April 69 AM - 3 PM
Industry Partners
Work with experts to become an expert
Penn College's strong partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.
Student Life
Lead and put your skills to the test
American Welding Society (AWS)
Being a part of the AWS allows students to network and learn and sharpen the skills needed for a successful career in the welding industry.
SkillsUSA
Participation in SkillsUSA gives students a chance to compete in more than 80 national competitions.
Student Organizations at Penn College
Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.
Penn College News
08.28.2024
API donates standards to Penn College for academic programs
API (the American Petroleum Institute) has donated access to its standards for industry best practices to Pennsylvania College of Technology for use in the curriculums of various academic programs in the college’s School of Engineering Technologies. Representatives of API were on campus in Penn College’s welding lab in the Lycoming Engines Metal Trades Center on Aug. 28 to formally present the standards.
04.04.2024
Video shares exciting field of non-destructive testing
Explore the possibilities of non-destructive testing in this short video. Pennsylvania College of Technology offers an associate degree in NDT and two competency credentials – one in ultrasonic inspection and the other in radiographic inspection. In this “virtual tour,” learn more about the exciting field, look inside Penn College’s lab spaces and see students using the up-to-date instrumentation.
01.08.2024
Penn College offers pathways for aspiring NDT inspectors
Pennsylvania College of Technology is providing career pathways for individuals who wish to safeguard critical aspects of society. The college is offering an associate degree and competency credentials in non-destructive testing. "When we started this program, we had numerous companies come and say, ‘We will hire everyone who graduates from this program. We’re just desperate for trained NDT inspectors,’” recalled Bradley M. Webb, dean of engineering technologies.
Student Experience
The community as their classroom
Penn College welding students cap unique remodeling project
Members of the college’s American Welding Society student chapter and faculty advisor recently volunteered their time and expertise to craft and install a 6-by-9-foot “tree of life” metallic sculpture at a former church.
More Information
- A competency credential must be completed within three years of enrollment in the credential.
- Non-traditional credit such as credit-by-exam, work/life experience, and transfer credit is limited to one third of the total credits in the credential. Two thirds of the requirements must be completed by course enrollment.
- Students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in each course to merit the credential.
Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.
Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.
Tools
Students should review the Welding Tools & Supplies to determine what tools and supplies they will need to purchase. The Welding department realizes that some students may not need to purchase the entire list of supplies. These students may contact the School Office for guidance in purchasing their supplies. The College Store can provide the complete kit.
Personal Protection Equipment
- Leather work shoes (safety toes optional)
- Safety glasses
- Welding helmet with #10 lens
- Cutting goggles with #5 lens
- Welding jacket
- Welding gloves (SMAW & GTAW)
Personal Protection Equipment and tools are available for purchase through The College Store .
- Mr. Robert Blauser, '96, '00, Vice President of Operations, GSM Industrial
- Mr. Richard A Conrad, Jr., '02, Field Application Engineer, Hobart/Miller Electric
- Mr. Jacob D Fisher, '10, Plant Manager, High Steel Structures LLC.
- Mr. Eric F Geier, '17, Operations Leadership Rotation Future Leader, Aerojet Rocketdyne
- Mr. Matthew Hillyer, Welding Engineer, Johnson Controls Navy Systems
- Mr. Wayne A Leone, Welder Training & Testing for Susq. Nuclear Power Plant, PP&L
- Mr. Michael Sebergandio, '01, '03, Quality Engineer - Welding, Case New Holland
- Mr. Brian A Thompson, Owner, Jasper Steel Works, LLC
- Mr. Richard Wagoner, Principal Construction Training Leader, UGI Utilities
- Mr. Dave Watson, Sales Engineer, Lincoln Electric
