Program Description

The Associate in Science in Plumbing Technology degree program is conducted in partnership with the Pipe Trades Training Center apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program is five years in duration, requiring a minimum of 9,000 hours of on-the-job training. After 5 years of classroom instruction and paid work experience, students are recognized as journeypersons within the Pipe Trades industry, working to protect the health and safety of the community by piping pure water to commercial and industrial buildings for drinking, cooking, washing, cleaning, manufacturing, or personal use, and removing waste water after it has served its purpose. Students earning an associate degree increase their marketability and employment opportunities. The apprenticeship program—which includes coursework, lab work, and on-the-job training—involves learning about the assessment, installation, maintenance, and repair of different types of pipe systems, effective and safe tool use, material applications, related mathematics and science, and storage. Students will learn to read blueprints, apply layout and install, as well as estimate and repair both supply and waste water systems. The Associate in Science in Plumbing Technology degree builds on the Certificate of Achievement in Plumbing Technology by adding requirements for general education courses and electives.

The Certificate of Achievement in Residential Plumbing program is also conducted in partnership with the Pipe Trades Training Center apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program is five years in duration, requiring a minimum of 6,900 hours of on-the-job training. After 4 years of classroom instruction and paid work experience, students are recognized as journeypersons within the Pipe Trades industry, working to install and maintain waste lines, hot and cold water piping, and gas systems, including piping, accessories, fixtures, and appliances to single and multiple family dwellings as well as hotels and motels. The apprenticeship program—which includes coursework, lab work, and on-the-job training—involves learning about the assessment, installation, maintenance, and repair of residential and hotel/motel pipe systems, effective and safe tool use, material applications, related mathematics and science, and storage. Students will learn to read blueprints, apply layout and install, as well as estimate and repair both supply and waste water systems.

Students are admitted to the Pipe Trades Training Center apprenticeship program based on obtaining a passing (75%) score on the Pipe Trades Entrance Exam, which measures the student's ability in math and mechanical reasoning. Students who pass the entrance exam are selected from an applicant waiting list, the order of which is established by the date the entrance exam was taken and the test score.

Learn more about the program on the Apprenticeship website.

Program Learning Outcomes

• In compliance with applicable standards and codes, students will demonstrate ability to install and remove plumbing systems such as drain waste and ventilation systems, systems for various industrial fluids, public or private water systems, and gas piping systems.
• In compliance with applicable standards and codes, students will demonstrate ability to maintain, extend, and/or alter plumbing systems, including drain waste and ventilation systems, systems for various industrial fluids, public or private water systems, and gas piping systems.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Plumbing Technology certificate and degree program will be prepared to work as a Foreman, General Foreman, Superintendent, Project Manager, Estimator, Detailer, Building Trades Inspector, Building Trades Instructor, and Union Business Agent/Business Manager in the energy, biopharmaceutical, healthcare, aerospace, construction, housing, water treatment, and food and beverage processing industries. Graduates of the Residential Plumbing certificate program will be employable as Journeyman Residential Plumber, Foreman, and General Foreman, working in residential construction, and repair of existing structures.

Award Type(s)

• AS = Associate in Science Degree
• CA = Certificate of Achievement

Units Required

• Major: 67.5
• Certificate(s): 20-67.5

Associate Degree Requirements

A minimum of 90 units is required¹ to complete the associate degree, including:

• Core courses for the major (67.5 units total)
• Completion of one of the following general education patterns:
  • Foothill College General Education
  • Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)²
  • Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)²
  • Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)³

¹

Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

²

Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.

³

Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.

Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core courses used for the degree or certificates. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.

Core and Support Courses

Elective Courses

These courses are recommended to fulfill the additional elective requirements to reach 90 units for the degree as they augment the major:

Note: Additionally, students who complete the core courses will satisfy Foothill GE Area 1A, English Composition; 1B, Oral Communication and Critical Thinking; Area 2, Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning; Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences; Area 5, Natural Sciences (with Laboratory); and Area 7, Lifelong Learning.

Certificate Requirements

Certificate of Achievement in Plumbing Technology

• Units: 67.5

The certificate of achievement is awarded upon completion of the core courses. General education courses are not required.

Currently offered at: San Jose.

Certificate of Achievement in Residential Plumbing

• Units: 20