Building Trades Technology Degree, HVAC Area of Concentration
If you're interested in becoming an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) technician, or if you're a current building and construction professional looking to advance your essential HVAC skills, our HVAC program will provide the training, skills, and knowledge you need.
You'll receive a comprehensive mixture of academic and practical training. Coursework is laboratory intensive complemented with additional classroom studies. In order to receive the AAS degree, you must pass the EPA 608 Certification Exam and at least one Industry Competency Exam (ICE).
Montgomery College is a member of the Registered Apprenticeship-College Consortium, a network of colleges and registered apprentice programs.
Montgomery College is a proud recipient of the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program grant. Find out more.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Define and explain the basic principles and techniques of residential construction.
- Apply relevant construction skills in a particular trade area.
Program Advising
Meet with your academic advisor regularly to make sure you are on track to graduate and/or transfer.
- HVAC Area of Concentration, Building Trades Technology AAS Program Advising Guide (PDF,
) - Find a Program Advisor
Transfer Opportunities
MC has a long history of successfully preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions. See all transfer agreements.
Careers
For some positions listed, a bachelor's degree or higher may be required. Use the Career and Program Explorer to see a full report for this career field. See links below chart for further guidance and/or connect with a Program Advisor to discuss career goals.
- MC Student Employment Services: Speak with the Student Employment Specialist for help with resume writing, interviewing, setting up a College Central Network (CCN)new window account and other job search topics.
- Career Coach: Explore Career Coach to learn more about this career and/or discover related majors and in-demand careers based on your current interests! Take a Career Assessment and then browse careers and job opportunities in the area.
Curriculum
A suggested course sequence for Building Trades Technology - HVAC majors follows.
- All students should review the advising guide and consult an advisor.
- Find out about related programs and course in the Fields of Study section.
- Most courses have either assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites (courses that must be taken first). Part-time students and those who need to meet assessment levels or take prerequisite courses will take longer to complete a degree. An advisor will help make sure you are taking your courses in the right order.
- All degree-seeking students must take a central group of General Education courses in English, mathematics, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, and science. These courses are included in the suggested course sequence below.
Suggested Course Sequence
Students should complete the required English and Math foundation courses within the first 24 credit hours. All students should review the Program Advising Guide and consult an advisor.
First Semester
- ENGL 101 - Introduction to College Writing 3 semester hours
- BLDG 130 - Introduction to the Building Trades 3 semester hours
- BLDG 133 - Building Trades Blueprint Reading 3 semester hours
- BLDG 170 - Fundamentals of Refrigeration 4 semester hours
- General Education Elective 3 semester hours (GEEL)
Second Semester
- English Foundation 3 semester hours (ENGF)
- Mathematics Foundation 3 semester hours (MATF)
- BLDG 172 - HVAC Electricity 4 semester hours
- BLDG 174 - HVAC Technician Development 2 semester hours
- Program Elective 3 semester hours †
- EPA 608 Certification Exam
Third Semester
- BLDG 271 - Heating Systems 4 semester hours
- BLDG 273 - Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems 4 semester hours
- Arts or Humanities Distribution 3 semester hours (ARTD or HUMD)
- Program Elective 3 semester hours †
Fourth Semester
- BLDG 275 - Residential HVAC System Design 2 semester hours
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours (BSSD)
- Natural Sciences Distribution with Lab 4 semester hours (NSLD)
- General Education Elective 3 semester hours (GEEL)
- Program Elective 3 semester hours †
- Industry Competency Exam 0 semester hours
* ENGL 101/ENGL 101A if needed for ENGL 102/ENGL 103, or elective.
† Select from ARCH 103, ARCH 183, BLDG 140, BLDG 150, BLDG 160, BLDG 182, BLDG 184, BLDG 200 (1-3 credits,) BLDG 230, BLDG 250, BLDG 252, BLDG 256, BSAD 101, CMGT 100, CMGT 135, CMGT 280, or SPAN 101.
Montgomery College is a proud recipient of the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program grant. Through this collaboration, Montgomery College is enrolling and graduating students from historically underrepresented populations in Heating Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) programs, ensuring they are supported through scholarships, training, and mentoring from Johnson Controls employees.
Related Programs and Courses
General Studies Degree
Students who major in general studies explore personal, professional, and academic areas of interest within a flexible framework supporting transfer.
Workforce Development and Continuing Education
MC offers a wide variety of noncredit classes. These courses are designed to help you upgrade your skills, pursue career training, or learn something new.