HVAC & Building Trades Fundamentals

Why Consider a HVAC Degree?

Play a key role in ensuring people and animals have safe, comfortable, healthy environments by maintaining and optimizing HVAC systems for proper heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.

  • This can be your first step to a well-paying career in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) field. 
  • Skilled technicians are in high demand year-round. 
  • You prefer a hands-on career in a skilled trade that doesn’t require an extensive time commitment for training.
  • Gaining electrical, mechanical, welding, troubleshooting, and other building-related skills interests you.

Why Learn at Lakeshore?

  • This is a competency-based education (CBE) program offering flexible course delivery and scheduling.
  • Because of our low student-to-faculty ratio, you’ll get to know instructors and fellow students.
  • Instructors have years of experience in the field in addition to teaching experience.
  • In less than two semesters, you can be ready for an entry-level position in the HVAC industry.

What It Takes

  • Mechanical aptitude
  • Attention to detail
  • Good communication skill
  • Persistence in identifying and solving problems
  • Ability to perform general physical activities
Career Area
Architecture and Construction
Type
Technical Diploma
Program Number
31-601-2
Availability
CBE
  • Technical Diploma
  • 2 Terms 
  • 28 Credits
  • Financial Aid Eligible
  • Multiple Start Dates

CBE On Campus: Flexible lab/class instruction where you complete assessments at a personalized pace.

Lab Availability in Agriculture & Energy Building: Tuesday & Wednesday, 9 AM - 9 PM.


Career Outlook

HVACR Installation Technician

Median Income: $57,939.00*
 

POTENTIAL JOB TITLES

(Click a title for job description)

Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

 


Disclosure:

*Lightcast/EMSI data is a hybrid dataset derived from official government sources such as the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and Bureau of Labor Statistics. This salary data is from the Lakeshore District.

ADMISSION AND FIRST SEMESTER ENROLLMENT STEPS

Work with Admissions Advisor to:

  • Submit Application
  • Complete the Student Success Questionnaire.
  • Schedule your First Time Program Counseling/Registration Session with your assigned program counselor to plan your first semester schedule, review your entire plan of study and discuss the results of the Student Success Questionnaire.

*Submit transcripts and test scores (optional, highly recommended): College transcripts, along with high school transcripts and test scores from within the last five years, used for course registration. Official transcripts needed for transferring college credit(s) and for financial aid purposes.

Program Cost

  • Tuition Cost: $5,168.41
  • Book Cost: $568.00
  • Supply Cost: $0.00
  • Program Total: $5,736.41

Want more information?

COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION is a learning model offering far more flexibility than traditional models. Fitting college around your work and personal commitments is possible because CBE allows you to:

  • Learn When You Want To
  • Progress at Your Own Pace
  • Receive Personalized Coaching & Support  

Learn More About CBE

Faculty Bios

Instructor Bios Books

Steve Sorenson

Teaching at Lakeshore fuels my passion for guiding students as they discover their potential. I love witnessing their growth and curiosity. It's rewarding to inspire minds and help shape their futures in meaningful ways.

Learn More About This Instructor