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Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Service Technician

This one-year program was created with input from HVAC professionals and trains technicians to perform system diagnostics and develop troubleshooting techniques. Emphasis is placed on preventative maintenance, service, and repairs on residential and commercial air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration systems.

man connecting wires on a unit

Career Opportunities

  • Residential HVAC technician
  • Commercial HVAC technician
  • Industrial HVAC technician

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Work with a counselor to get your personalized plan!

Suggested Degree Plan for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Service Technician Certificate
Do not use this degree plan as a substitute for an advisor. Always meet with an advisor to discuss your specific needs for completing the program before signing up for classes each semester.
First Semester Details
FYE 101 Blazing Your Trail Details 1
Directed to new students, this course provides a supportive transition to the culture of higher education. Course objectives aim at preparing students for the college experience by acquiring effective learning techniques and by becoming aware of available college resources for academic and personal growth. This course also develops students' abilities, which will assist them with the complexities of college life.
Prerequisites: (none)
HVA 101 Refrigeration Fundamentals Details 3
This course introduces vocabulary, concepts and scientific principles used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. Theories on heat laws, pressures, matter, and energy; refrigerant chemistry and the refrigeration cycle will be examined and studied. The course also covers proper refrigerant management techniques and safe practices. Practical application, troubleshooting techniques, measuring and testing the operation of the basic refrigeration cycle; including working with ACR copper tubing, tools, and instruments are emphasized. Passing the EPA certification is a requirement of this course. 2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
HVA 103 Heating Principles Details 3
This course introduces vocabulary, concepts and scientific principles used in the heating industry. Heat laws, heat transfer, and fundamentals of the combustion process are examined and studied. Also covered are gas, oil, and electric forced-air systems for residential comfort heating. Practical application for testing and adjusting system performance, troubleshooting electrical systems and control, working with gas pipe, preventative maintenance, service and repair are emphasized. 2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: HVA 101 with a grade of "C" or above or consent of department
HVA 199 HVAC Internship Details 1-5 (Varies)
This course offers HVAC students several options for acquiring work-based education in the HVAC work site environment. Students may elect to participate in an approved apprenticeship, internship, job shadowing, or mentoring activity as it pertains to their career goals. The course provides the opportunity to apply classroom theory and experience the dynamics of modern industry. Course requires at least 80 hours of work experience for each credit hour.
Prerequisites: (none)
IMT 110 Industrial Wiring Details 2
This course is designed to provide a theoretical framework for the understanding of industrial wiring and its applications with hands-on activities to reinforce the concepts introduced. Students will learn about the electrical power distribution and the installation and wiring of industrial electrical equipment. 1 lecture hour, 2 lab hours
Prerequisites: (none)
IMT 120 Industrial Motors & Controls Details 3
This course is designed to provide a theoretical framework for the understanding of motors and controls and its applications with hands-on activities to reinforce the concepts introduced. Students will learn about motor control systems, devices, circuits and troubleshooting. 1.5 lecture hours, 3 lab hours
Prerequisites: (none)
MAT 100 Technical Mathematics Details 3
A course designed to cover mathematical processes and problems that relate to career, technical and workforce applications. Specific topics include fractions; decimals, ratio, proportion and percentage; measurements; and area and volume.
Prerequisites: (none)
Second Semester Details
HVA 105 Heating & Cooling Details 3
This course covers the purposes and principles of operation, and causes of failure in electrical components common to residential and small commercial systems. Wiring schematics and diagrams will be emphasized. 2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
HVA 107 Commercial Air Conditioning Systems Details 3
This course focuses on air conditioning systems used in commercial buildings and their applications. Direct expansion systems, packaged units, and chilled-water systems will be covered. Also covered will be rooftop units, variable refrigerant flow systems, air handling units, chillers and cooling towers. Practical application, to develop troubleshooting techniques, perform system diagnostic/ installation/preventative maintenance service and repairs will be emphasized. 2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: HVA 105 with a grade of "C" or above or consent of department
IMT 140 Pumps/Piping Details 2
This course is designed to provide a theoretical framework for the understanding of pump and piping operation and its applications with hands-on activities to reinforce the concepts introduced. Students will learn about maintenance tasks such as pump installation, shaft alignment, wiring, operation, inspection, piping schematics, calculation or pipe lengths, fabrication, installation, and testing of piping circuits, maintenance, troubleshooting and component replacement. 1 lecture hour, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
IMT 155 Fluid Power II (Pneumatics) Details 2
This course is designed to provide a theoretical framework for the understanding of pneumatics and its applications with hands-on activities to reinforce the concepts introduced. Students will learn about pneumatic fundamentals, electrical control of pneumatic systems, pneumatic applications, sensors, and troubleshooting pneumatic circuits. 1 lecture hour, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
IMT 200 Mechanical Systems Details 3
This course is designed to provide a theoretical framework for the understanding of mechanical systems and predictive maintenance and its applications with hands-on activities to reinforce the concepts introduced. Students will learn about the installation, use, predictive maintenance, and troubleshooting of mechanical drive components. 1 lecture hour, 4 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
Summer Details
HVA 199 HVAC Internship Details 1-5 (Varies)
This course offers HVAC students several options for acquiring work-based education in the HVAC work site environment. Students may elect to participate in an approved apprenticeship, internship, job shadowing, or mentoring activity as it pertains to their career goals. The course provides the opportunity to apply classroom theory and experience the dynamics of modern industry. Course requires at least 80 hours of work experience for each credit hour.
Prerequisites: (none)

Gainful Employment: For more information about graduation rates, cost, the median debt of students who complete the program, and other information, please view our Gainful Employment information for the particular certificate of study.