Choosing a Plumbing Program

If you are interested in taking some plumbing courses, you may want to consider the advantages of degrees or certificates. It’s important to be aware of all the factors of choosing your school.

Plumbing courses that are geared towards professionals will cover areas important to the trade. These are taught in programs referred to as “Plumbing Technology” programs. They are typically offered at technical schools, community colleges, and through online schools. A certificate program is another way to go. It would be a shorter route (usually one year), and it would be directed at the fundamentals.  An Associates degree would take several years and include the basics, theory, and a variety of other “general education” subjects.

Understand that the costs to attend school vary, depending on the institution and program type. If you are in an Apprentice program, consider the possibility of your paying for most or all of the costs of the program. That is a conversation you may want to have with them before you take the next step.

The expense of plumbing courses range from $1,000 for a certificate to over $20,000 for an Associates degree. Again, it depends on the school and type of degree. Remember that in-state tuition is much less expensive than out of state, so try to find a program in Pennsylvania to get the best pricing.

On top of price, there are other important factors to consider. Ask schools what their completion rate is, which indicates what proportion of students actually finish and graduate. If the completion rate is low compared to other schools, consider it a red flag. The costs may be too high, or the courses might be too unmanagable.

You will also want to consider accreditation. Find out if the school is accredited and by which agencies. If it isn’t, you are paying for a degree that has little to no credibility, which potential employers will likely be concerned about.

If schooling is a road you want to travel, be sure to shop around. Start by doing an internet search for “plumbing courses” or “plumbing programs” to see what options you have out there. Ask your colleagues what courses they have attended and at which schools. Most importantly, keep your eyes on the prize and don’t get discouraged. Education is an investment!