{"id":1312,"date":"2024-06-26T20:49:54","date_gmt":"2024-06-26T20:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/?page_id=1312"},"modified":"2024-08-08T22:07:02","modified_gmt":"2024-08-08T22:07:02","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#degree\"><strong>Degree, general course and scheduling questions<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#instructor\"><strong>Instructor questions<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#graduation\"><strong>Graduation, employment questions<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#employer\"><strong>Employer questions<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Degree, general course and scheduling questions Instructor questions Graduation, employment questions Employer questions<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1312","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"sidekick":"","hero_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"html","html_content":"<h1><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n","background_image":{"ID":1390,"id":1390,"title":"RVS - DMCAT HVAC","filename":"RS1499_RVS-DMCAT-HVAC-0373-lpr-e1721227000239.jpg","filesize":484908,"url":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/07\/RS1499_RVS-DMCAT-HVAC-0373-lpr-e1721227000239.jpg","link":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/internships\/rvs-dmcat-hvac-5\/","alt":"HVAC equipment.","author":"4","description":"","caption":"HVAC","name":"rvs-dmcat-hvac-5","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":1293,"date":"2024-07-03 20:05:44","modified":"2024-07-17 14:22:50","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1333,"height":650,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/07\/RS1499_RVS-DMCAT-HVAC-0373-lpr-e1721227000239-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/07\/RS1499_RVS-DMCAT-HVAC-0373-lpr-e1721227000239-300x146.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":146,"medium_large":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/07\/RS1499_RVS-DMCAT-HVAC-0373-lpr-e1721227000239-768x374.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":374,"large":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/07\/RS1499_RVS-DMCAT-HVAC-0373-lpr-e1721227000239-1024x499.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":499,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/07\/RS1499_RVS-DMCAT-HVAC-0373-lpr-1024x1536.jpg","1536x1536-width":1024,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/07\/RS1499_RVS-DMCAT-HVAC-0373-lpr-e1721227000239.jpg","2048x2048-width":1333,"2048x2048-height":650}}}],"layouts":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","heading":"<h4><strong>Degree, general course and scheduling questions<\/strong><\/h4><p id=\"degree\"><\/p>","accordion":[{"title":"What kind of degree and certificates do you offer?","description":"<p>The student can earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree, a Certificate and\/or a Workforce Certificate. The student will first enroll for the certificate, then the degree. Most of the advanced courses do have prerequisites.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"I have experience in the HVAC\/R industry and need a degree. Can I get credit for some of the classes?","description":"<p>Students coming to Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology with college credit and experience may get waivers for certain classes. Another option for students with work experience to get credit for a class is by challenging a course (take a test and get at a score of least 80). However,\u00a0all students seeking an Associates degree must have 60 college credit hours to graduate (that is a requirement of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board). Students with no prior college credits and experience may challenge a class to get credit for that class. For details, talk to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/contact-us\/\">Department Chair<\/a>.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"When do the classes meet?","description":"<p>Most classes meet twice a week, Monday\/Wednesday or Tuesday\/Thursday during the day and\/or evenings. Weekend (Saturday) College alternatives are also available. See the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www6.austincc.edu\/schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">schedule<\/a>\u00a0for the desired semester. Note: Weekend college choices are listed by campus; HART is located at Riverside \u2013 RVS.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/admissions.austincc.edu\/registration\/understanding-the-public-course-schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Understand the course schedule<\/a>.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"How much do the books and course materials cost?","description":"<p>For a student completing the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/certificate\/\">Certificate<\/a>, the total course materials purchased from the bookstore is currently $200 (this amount is subject to change without notice).<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Should the classes be taken in a certain order?","description":"<p>Many of the advanced classes have prerequisites. The introductory classes are<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>HART 1401 Basic Electricity for HVAC<\/li>\n<li>HART 1403 Air Conditioning Control Principles<\/li>\n<li>HART 1407 Refrigeration Principles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is VERY strongly recommended that students take\u00a0HART 1403 Air Conditioning Control Principles\u00a0AFTER COMPLETING\u00a0HART 1401 Basic Electricity for HVAC\u00a0as it assumes the student has all of the knowledge and skills from the\u00a0HART 1401 Basic Electricity for HVAC\u00a0class.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"How long does it take to complete the Certificate\/AAS diploma?","description":"<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/certificate\/\">Certificate<\/a>\u00a0diploma requires 9 courses to be completed. If you complete 3 courses each semester and you attend the summer semester, you should be completed in\u00a0one year. Note that we schedule classes fall, spring and summer.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/aas-degree\/\">AAS<\/a>\u00a0(Associate of Applied Science) degree requires 18 courses. Again, if you complete 3 courses each semester, you can be completed after 6 semesters. That\u2019s\u00a02 years, but each person will tailor their school schedule, and if you are employed, the number of courses you attend each semester may be reduced.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"How do I find out if enough students registered for my class to \u201cmake\u201d and not be canceled?","description":"<p>Check the canceled classes section of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www6.austincc.edu\/schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">schedule<\/a>\u00a0after registration ends.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"After starting the program, must I attend every semester?","description":"<p>No. You do not have to register and attend every semester. But you must complete your chosen program within 5 years or complete the program under a new college catalog that is not over 5 years old.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Do you have adequate lab space for students? How big are the classes?","description":"<p>Classes are usually limited to 12 students. This allows close attention to each student by the instructor and plenty of hand-on time working with the equipment.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"What tools are students expected to provide?","description":"<p>Students do not need to provide any tools except a high quality auto ranging digital voltometer. These are available in most air conditioning parts stores.<\/p>\n"}],"background":"Color","background_color":"#FFFFFF","background_gradient":{"gradient_start":"","gradient_end":""},"background_image":false,"text_mode":"dark","id":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","heading":"<h4><strong>Instructor questions<\/strong><\/h4><p id=\"instructor\"><\/p>","accordion":[{"title":"Do the instructors have experience in the HVAC\/R industry?","description":"<p>Yes! All of the instructions have worked or currently do work in the HVAC\/R industry.<\/p>\n"}],"background":"Color","background_color":"#FFFFFF","background_gradient":{"gradient_start":"","gradient_end":""},"background_image":false,"text_mode":"dark","id":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","heading":"<h4><strong>Graduation, employment questions<\/strong><\/h4><p id=\"graduation\"><\/p>","accordion":[{"title":"I\u2019m ready to graduate. What do I need to do?","description":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.austincc.edu\/online-services\/graduation-application\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Complete the Graduation Application<\/a>.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.austincc.edu\/degrees-and-certificates\/earn-a-degree-and-transfer\/apply-to-graduate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apply to graduate (deadlines and other details)<\/a><\/p>\n"},{"title":"What are the job opportunities in this field?","description":"<p>Typical jobs include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Heating and air conditioning service (residential)<\/li>\n<li>Refrigeration service (residential and commercial)<\/li>\n<li>Maintenance (apartment complexes, management companies, hotels, industrial plants, state and federal buildings, food chains, etc)<\/li>\n<li>Installation (residential, commercial and industrial)<\/li>\n<li>Duct design and fabrication<\/li>\n<li>System sizing and design (residential and commercial)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"title":"What type of jobs can I expect to get before and after graduation?","description":"<p>Before graduation<br \/>\nA student taking classes in HVAC may be hired as a helper.\u00a0 With limited skills and knowledge, this employee would work with a lead employee to help install new systems. The (student) employee would not be able to complete service calls solo, and the starting pay would reflect the limited work skills.\u00a0 With time, this employee should gain the hands-on knowledge and experience to eventually work alone in installations and residential service calls.<\/p>\n<p>After completing the Certificate Program<br \/>\nOnce the student has completed the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/certificate\/\">Certificate Program<\/a>\u00a0he\/she should be able to address almost any residential type service call (heating or cooling) with minimal assistance and minimal training.<\/p>\n<p>After completing the Associate Degree***<br \/>\nThe\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/aas-degree\/\">Associate Degre<\/a>e\u00a0gives the student the ability\/opportunity 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.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Can I complete the AAS degree and start my own business immediately?","description":"<p>Probably not. The State of Texas requires a State Contractors License to operate an air conditioning business. Some member of the company must have the license. Questions about the state license should be directed to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.license.state.tx.us\/acr\/acrfaq.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation<\/a>. The number is at the end of this document. To be eligible to test for the license, the applicant must have at least three (3) years of wage earning experience in the HVAC field.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Do I need a license to work in the HVAC\/R industry in Texas?","description":"<p>Yes. See the\u00a0Licensing\u00a0page for details on the state license and EPA testing.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"What is the difference between the State Contractors License and the E.P.A. Certification?","description":"<p>To be eligible for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tdlr.texas.gov\/acr\/acrforms.htm#contractor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contractors license<\/a> in Texas, you must meet one of the following experience requirements:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>You have at least 48 months of practical experience in air-conditioning and refrigeration-related work under the supervision of a licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor in the past 72 months, OR<\/li>\n<li>You have held a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tdlr.texas.gov\/acr\/certified-tech-apply.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>technician certification<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0for the past 12 months and you have at least 36 months of practical experience in air-conditioning and refrigeration-related work under the supervision of a licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor in the past 48 months<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Link to more information on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tdlr.texas.gov\/acr\/contractor-apply.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TDLR website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In 1992, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.epa.gov\/Ozone\/title6\/608\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">regulations<\/a>\u00a0requiring all HVAC technicians to become certified to handle refrigerants, associated parts and equipment. Several industry organizations provide seminars and administer examinations, which if successfully completed qualify the technician for certification.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n"}],"background":"Color","background_color":"#FFFFFF","background_gradient":{"gradient_start":"","gradient_end":""},"background_image":false,"text_mode":"dark","id":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","heading":"<h4><strong>Employer questions<\/strong><\/h4><p id=\"employer\"><\/p>","accordion":[{"title":"I\u2019m an employer and have jobs for students. How do I let them know?","description":"<p>Use the\u00a0<a title=\"Request Information\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/hart\/request-information\/\">Request Information<\/a>\u00a0form to email the information to HART. We will let students know.<\/p>\n"}],"background":"Color","background_color":"#FFFFFF","background_gradient":{"gradient_start":"","gradient_end":""},"background_image":false,"text_mode":"dark","id":""}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1312"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1312\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmcat.austincc.edu\/hart\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}