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HVAC Technician Certificate Program with Externship


Program includes National Certification & Externship Opportunity


The HVAC Technician Profession

The increasing development of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems technology creates a number of employment opportunities in this long-standing trade poised for even more growth in the coming years. An HVAC technician installs, maintains, and repairs heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Professionals who work in this occupation might specialize in installation, or in maintenance and repair.

This program focuses on broad, transferable skills, including an understanding of the heating, air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation industry, and demonstrates elements of the industry such as planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, the underlying principles of technology, and health, safety, and environmental issues. The purpose of this program is to prepare students to perform entry-level HVAC maintenance and repair tasks in residential and commercial environments. This course is designed to prepare students to pursue the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 608 Core and 608 Small Appliances (Type 1) Certification. Students are eligible for an optional externship with a local employer after successful course completion.


Program Objectives

At the conclusion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Apply principles of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration to the installation, maintenance and repair of HVACR systems
  • Apply safety practices to HVACR installation, maintenance, and repair practices
  • Identify and safely use hand and power tools
  • Understand and read construction drawings
  • Describe trade licensing, certification, career paths, and responsibilities and characteristics available in the HVACR trade in residential, commercial and industrial areas
  • Perform basic math and measuring tasks required in the HVAC trade
  • Apply knowledge of electricity and electrical safety to HVACR installation, maintenance and repair
  • Apply knowledge of heating, cooling, and air distribution systems and individual components to the HVACR installation, maintenance and repair
  • Apply knowledge of different types of copper, plastic, and carbon steel piping in HVACR tasks
  • Prepare, soldering, and brazing copper tubing safety
  • Measure, cut, ream, thread, install, and join steep pipe in HVACR projects
  • Understand Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules and regulations related to HVAC practices
  • Understand EPA requirements for small appliances, refrigerants and hazardous chemicals

Lesson Checklist

Each lesson includes a prescribed checklist of activities for successful completion of the lesson. This includes lesson objectives, readings, and recommended assignments. Although assignments are optional, the instructor will grade and provide feedback on submitted assignments.

Course Materials:

  • Heating, Ventilating, and Air-conditioning Level 1 Trainee Guide.

Module/Lesson Structure

The HVAC Technician program modules contain one or more lesson presentations to view. These lesson presentations are the “lectures” which, along with the textbook readings and resources, will help you learn the material. The lesson presentations aim to address a variety of learning styles and preferences using text, audio, video, etc. Each lesson contains at least one Check Your Understanding interactive self-assessment that will help you gauge your comprehension of that lesson’s content. Some lessons include supplemental resources such as games, animations, videos, and interactive activities. Utilizing these additional materials will deepen your understanding of the content. Each module has a Module test, the last Module concludes with a Final Exam.

  • Module 1: Introduction to HVAC
  • Module 2: Trade Mathematics
  • Module 3: Basic Electricity
  • Module 4: Introduction to Heating
  • Module 5: Introduction to Cooling
  • Module 6: Introduction to Air Distribution Systems
  • Module 7: Basic Copper and Plastic Piping Practices
  • Module 8: Soldering and Brazing
  • Module 9: Basic Carbon Steel Piping Practices

Note: This program can be completed in 6 months. However, students will have online access to this program for a 24-month period.

Education and National Certifications

  • Students should have or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED .
  • There is a National Certification exam available to students who successfully complete this program:
    • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 Technician Certification

National Certification

Students who complete this Auburn University HVAC Technician program will be prepared to sit for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 Technician Certification Exam.Students who complete this program are encouraged to complete the externship option with their program.

Externship / Hands on Training / Practicum

Although not a requirement, once students complete the program, they can participate in an externship and/or hands-on practicum to practice the skills necessary to perform the job requirements of a professional in this field. Students will be assisted with completing a resume and/or other requirements necessary to work in this field. All students who complete this program are eligible to participate in an externship and will be placed with a participating organization near their location.  works with national organizations and can place students in externship opportunities nationwide.

Note: No refunds can be issued after the start date published in your Financial Award document.