HVAC Associates Degree Prairie Grove AR

How to Choose the Right HVAC Training Class near Prairie Grove Arkansas

air conditioner condensers in Prairie Grove AROnce you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioner professional, the next step is to choose an HVAC technical school near Prairie Grove AR. But with so many to choose from, how do you pick the right one to receive the training that you need? Many prospective students will make their selection based solely on the cost of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. Even though these are significant concerns, they are not the only ones to take into account. A few of the other factors that you need to look into are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. Those and additional criteria will be addressed in more detail later within this article. But before we tackle how to select an HVAC training program, let’s take a look at what a heating and a/c professional does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Specialist

Prairie Grove AR HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is widely used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC contractors specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are typically mandated to be licensed, however every state and regional municipality has its own prerequisites. Obtaining professional certification is not required, but an alternative way for Prairie Grove AR HVAC techs to prove that they are highly proficient and accomplished in their area of specialization. There are a number of respected certifications within the field that are offered. Here are some of the important ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is earned by passing a proficiency examination and can be received in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of professional experience in addition to passing a comprehensive exam are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have three years of experience as well as a passing result on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are made available in various specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is mandatory for techs that handle refrigerants. There are 3 forms of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing may be mandated in your area, and you may also intend to obtain certification, it’s important that you enroll in an HVAC technical school that will prepare you for both. And since you will probably be handling refrigerants, make certain that the program you decide on prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Schools

radiator heater in Prairie Grove AR homeThere are a variety of choices available for HVAC training in a trade or technical school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the lesser period of time, typically accomplished in as little as 6 months, however some courses are longer. A certificate will train you for most HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification applicable to the position. The degree programs can provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will deliver more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief description of each option offered near Prairie Grove AR.

  • Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level commercial or residential HVAC professionals. They provide a strong foundation of skills for employment within the trade.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more detailed background of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Typically taking 2 years to finish, some degrees feature an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is tailored more towards a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a conventional four year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also study how to design them.

Choosing the ideal credential program will be dependent on what your future career goals are, as well as the time and financial resources that you have to commit. One approach is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the trade in Prairie Grove AR, later going back to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, be sure to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Training

Prairie Grove AR student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC program online is one alternative to obtaining your training and earning a certificate or degree. Most schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete practical training. A number also offer internship or work-study programs in addition to or in place of practical lab work. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended on the web, this alternative may be a more convenient solution for some Prairie Grove AR students that are short on time. And many online degree programs are more economical than other traditional options. Even travelling expenses from Prairie Grove and study materials can be minimized, helping to make schooling more economical. And numerous online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your work or family obligations have left you with minimal time to attend classes, maybe an online HVAC degree program will make it easier to accommodate school into your busy schedule.

Questions For HVAC Certification Courses

Questions to ask Prairie Grove AR HVAC training schoolsWhen you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you want to attain, either online or on campus, you can begin to limit your selection of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are a large number of HVAC trade schools in the Prairie Grove AR area and across the USA to select from. That’s why it is very important to have a list of relevant qualifications when making school comparisons. As previously mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the first 2 variables you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you need to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC vocational schools in the Prairie Grove AR area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Make certain that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you obtain an excellent education, it may help in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, many states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Air Conditioning schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A low completion rate could suggest that students were dissatisfied with the course and dropped out. It may also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which may result in more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of Prairie Grove AR HVAC employers to help students secure apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous HVAC trade programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of HVAC businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with local Prairie Grove AR HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Prairie Grove AR HVAC contracting company if they can give you some suggestions. Also bear in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Prairie Grove AR home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to some of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Prairie Grove AR, confirm that the programs you are looking at offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family emergencies.

Considering an HVAC School near Prairie Grove AR?

Perhaps you are considering enrolling in an HVAC training program in the Prairie Grove Arkansas area.  If so, you may find the following background information about the location of your new school campus both interesting and informative.

Prairie Grove, Arkansas

Prairie Grove is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,380 at the 2010 Census. It is part of the Northwest Arkansas region, and home to Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park. The park spans a large amount of land and contains a visitor center, museum, several monuments, a driving tour and a collection of period buildings and homes.

Prairie Grove was the site of the Battle of Prairie Grove during the American Civil War. Confederate forces under General Thomas C. Hindman attempted to prevent the juncture of two Federal forces under Generals James G. Blunt and Francis J. Herron. The result of the battle was a tactical stalemate which assured permanent Union control of northwest Arkansas. The battlefield is now a State Military Park.

The Natural Resources Defense Council released an issue paper stating between that 1997 and 2001, Prairie Grove was the center of a cluster of testicular cancer cases. No clear cause has been identified but the NRDC notes the town is near a closed nuclear reactor and a low-level radioactive landfill. Arsenic from industrialized chicken manure is another possible source. In 2004, residents sued one of the poultry farms and the poultry feed manufacturer for spreading contaminated manure throughout Prairie Grove. The lawsuit did not assign blame and the cause of the cancer cluster has never been definitively determined.[5][6][7]

HVAC Associates Degree Prairie Grove AR

Selecting the right HVAC school program is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career in the heating and air conditioning field. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding HVAC Associates Degree. However, as we have covered in this post, you should choose an HVAC training program and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC trade. Other features to look for are sufficient practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to check out each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. In addition, inquire about scheduling choices and whether or not night or weekend classes are available if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have detailed in our guidelines for comparing schools, you’ll be able to filter your options so that you can make an informed decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and dedication, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC contractor in Prairie Grove AR.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Arkansas

  • Online HVAC Course Osceola AR
  • HVAC Course Cost El Dorado AR
  • Heating and Air Conditioning Programs Bryant AR
  • HVAC Night Classes Ash Flat AR
  • Air Conditioner Course Camden AR
  • HVAC School Online Maumelle AR
  • HVAC Degree Luxora AR
  • Learn Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Danville AR
  • Training HVAC Beebe AR
  • HVAC Education Melbourne AR
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 38

    Adonai Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    611 S Mock St, Prairie Grove, AR 72753

    BurtonWright Mechanical
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1800 S Stirman Ave, Ste 900, Fayetteville, AR 72701

    Morrow Heating and Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    13155 Hwy 62, Farmington, AR 72753

    Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric
    19 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Electricians
    Phone:
    280 N Maestri Rd, Springdale, AR 72762

    Locke Wholesale Heating & Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2301 W Martin Luther King Blvd, Fayetteville, AR 72701

    Dutton HVAC
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    33 S Centennial Ave, West Fork, AR 72774

    Clayburn HVACR
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2505 S Thompson, Ste 9, Springdale, AR 72764

    My Guys' HVAC
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Bentonville, AR 72712

    Bud Anderson Heating & Cooling
    18 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    524 S Lincoln St, Lowell, AR 72745

    Air Control
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2114 Dime Dr, Springdale, AR 72764