HVAC class at the Round Rock High School.The courses in the Austin Community College Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology program are taught in building block fashion –  the materials and training you received in the first course will be used in the following course. What you learned in the first two courses will be used in the third course, and so on. This builds a strong foundation in the HVACR career path.

The Associate of Applied Science degree (catalog information) program consists of 60 credit hours and is often referred to as the “two year” program.  It is a continuation of the Certificate program. Students who want the Associates Degree must complete all courses in the certificate and continue into the degree classes. The certificate  includes Heat Pumps, System Design, and the Mechanical Code. The degree program progresses into Industrial and Commercial Air Conditioning and Refrigeration equipment and systems.

Link to the Catalog for a full list of the courses in the Associate of Applied Science Degree or view the Program Map. Before registering for the advanced classes in the degree plan, students must complete the classes in the Certificate program. Technicians who are already working in the industry and wish to get advanced training should contact the department chair.

After completing the Associates Degree, the student should have the knowledge, skills and abilities to work in either residential, commercial or industrial refrigeration or air conditioning. Commercial/Industrial tech positions usually pay more than a residential A/C tech.