If your career path has gone cold, you can turn up the heat with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC-R).
In today’s rapidly evolving construction industry, HVAC-R technicians are in high demand. Job opportunities abound in either commercial or residential properties to include the repair or installation of air conditioning or refrigeration systems.
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration is the use of various technologies to control the temperature, humidity, and purity of the air in an enclosed space. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality and temperature in commercial and residential environments. This is a skilled career focus program.
Snead State’s degree pathway offers experienced instructors qualified to prepare you for the workforce with real world applications and hands-on labs. Receiving an Associate in Applied Science degree in HVAC-R could be a step in the right direction for you to pursue a high-demand, high-wage career.
Job Outlook in HVAC-R
The average salary for those working in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration is about $48,000-$73,000 per year. Positions for HVAC-R Technicians are expected to increase 7.9 percent through 2030. Within a 60-mile radius of Snead State’s campus, 467 unique job postings were available from January 2023 to April 2024 in HVAC-R.
Industries that employ HVAC-R Technicians include:
- Building Equipment Contractors
- Direct Selling Establishments
- Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
- Education and Hospitals (Local Government)
- Federal Government, Civilian
- Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance
Master Schedule
Below is the recommended schedule for students pursuing an HVAC-R Associate in Applied Science Degree Pathway. Following the master schedule will ensure degree completion within two academic years. Because courses aren’t offered every semester, it’s important for students to follow the recommended schedule to stay on track for completion.
Required Academic Hours: 18
Required Core Hours: 55
Total Degree Hours: 73
Fall First-Year Students
| COURSE TYPE | COURSE NAME | HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ACR 111 Principles of Refrigeration | 3 |
| Core | ACR 112 Service Procedures | 3 |
| Core | ACR 113 Refrigeration Piping Practices | 3 |
| EPA Certification | ACR 147 Refrigerant Transition and Recovery Theory | 3 |
| Academic | MTH 100,110,112,113,116, OR 125 | 3 |
Spring First-Year Students
| COURSE TYPE | COURSE NAME | HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ACR 121 Principals of Electricity for HVAC | 3 |
| Core | ACR 122 HVAC Electric Circuits | 3 |
| Core | ACR 123 HVAC Electrical Components | 3 |
| Core | ACR 127 HVAC Electric Motors | 3 |
| Academic | AST, BIO, CHM, GEO 101, MTH 100, PHS, or PHY | 3-4 |
Summer First-Year Students
| COURSE TYPE | COURSE NAME | HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ACR 148 Heat Pump Systems I | 3 |
| Core | ACR 120 Fundamentals of Electric Heating Systems | 3 |
| Core | ACR 119 Fundimentals of Gas Heating Systems | 3 |
| Core | ACR 210 Troubleshooting HVAC Systems | 3 |
| Academic | HUM/Fine Arts – ART, FRN, HUM, MUS, PHL, or THR | 3 |
Fall Second-Year Students
| COURSE TYPE | COURSE NAME | HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ACR 128 Heat Load Calculations | 3 |
| Core | ACR 200 Review for Contractors Exam | 3 |
| Core | ACR 205 System Sizing and Air Distribution | 3 |
| Academic | HUM/Fine Arts – ART, FRN, HUM, MUS, PHL, or THR | 3 |
| Academic | ENG 101 | 3 |
Spring Second-Year Students
| COURSE TYPE | COURSE NAME | HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ACR 132 REsidential Air Conditioning | 3 |
| Core | ACR 203 Commercial Refrigerations | 3 |
| Core | ACR 195 CO-OP | 3 |
| Academic | ANT, ECO, GEO 100, HIS, POL, SOC | 3 |
| WKO 101 | Workplace Skills Development | 1 |
Certificates
The HVAC-R pathway has built-in certificate credentials that students can use to add to their skill set to aid in finding employment. The certificate options include a short-term certificate in HVAC that can be completed in one semester (12 credit hours) and a short-term certificate as a HVAC-R Technician, that can be completed within two semesters (24 credit hours).
Earn As Your Learn
A valuable resource for students within the HVAC-R pathway is the option to earn as they learn through Snead State’s apprenticeship program. Students who qualify to work as apprentices are paired with participating industries to work within their field of study for a competitive wage, gaining practical experience that will aid them in securing employment after completing their AAS degree.
For More Information
For more information about the HVAC-R degree pathway, contact HVAC-R Instructor Johnny Winfrey at johnny.winfrey@snead.edu or Dean of Career and Technical Education/Workforce Development Dr. Greg Randall at greg.randall@snead.edu or (256) 840-4166.