How to Choose HVAC Degree Programs Fife Lake MI

How to Pick the Right Heating and Cooling College near Fife Lake Michigan

air conditioner condensers in Fife Lake MIOnce you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioner technician, the next step is to find an HVAC technical school near Fife Lake MI. But with so many to pick from, how do you select the ideal one to receive the training that you need? Some potential students will make their choice based entirely on the price of tuition or how near the school is to their residence. Even though these are necessary considerations, they are not the only ones to investigate. A few of the other details that you need to research are the graduation completion rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. Those and other benchmarks will be covered in more detail later within this article. But before we tackle how to pick an HVAC vocational school, let’s take a look at what a heating and air conditioning specialist does to become a licensed skilled tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Tech

Fife Lake MI HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC technicians provide services for the installation, maintenance and repair of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are typically required to be licensed, however each state and local municipality has its own criteria. Attaining professional certification is not mandatory, but a voluntary means for Fife Lake MI HVAC specialists to prove that they are highly proficient and accomplished in their area of specialization. There are multiple recognized certifications within the trade that are available. Below are a few of the important ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC techs. The certification is achieved by passing a competency exam and may be received in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of field experience in addition to passing a comprehensive examination are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have three years of experience in addition to a passing score on the professional level examination. As with NATE, certifications are offered in several specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is required for techs that handle refrigerants. There are 3 types of certification available, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing may be required in your location, and you may also wish to earn certification, it’s important that you enroll in an HVAC vocational school that will train you for both. And since you will most likely be dealing with refrigerants, make certain that the school you decide on prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Schools

radiator heater in Fife Lake MI homeThere are several alternatives available for HVAC instruction in a technical or trade school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Acquiring a certificate will take the minimum amount of time, usually accomplished in just six months, although some programs are longer. A certificate will qualify you for most HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification applicable to the position. The degree training programs may provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will furnish more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Following is a short summary of each credential offered near Fife Lake MI.

  • Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning commercial or residential HVAC technicians. They furnish a strong foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more extensive background of heating and a/c systems than the certificate program. Normally requiring 2 years to complete, some degrees include an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more for a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a standard 4 year program. In addition to learning how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Selecting the ideal credential program will be dependent on what your future career aspirations are, as well as the time and money that you have to invest. One possibility is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the field in Fife Lake MI, subsequently going back to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, make certain to ask the HVAC technician school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Training

Fife Lake MI student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC school online is one option to obtaining your training and earning a degree or certificate. Nearly all schools will call for some attendance on campus to participate in hands on training. Many also sponsor internship or work-study programs in addition to or instead of practical lab work. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended on the web, this option may be a more accessible solution for some Fife Lake MI students that are short on time. And many online degree programs are less expensive than other traditional options. Even commuting expenses from Fife Lake and study supplies may be reduced, helping to make education more affordable. And a large number of online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family responsibilities have left you with minimal time to attend classes, maybe an HVAC online training program will make it easier to fit school into your hectic schedule.

What to Ask HVAC Trade Schools

Questions to ask Fife Lake MI HVAC training schoolsWhen you have picked the type of degree or certificate that you want to obtain, either online or on campus, you can start to decrease your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are many HVAC vocational schools in the Fife Lake MI area and across the Country to select from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a checklist of important qualifiers when making school evaluations. As formerly mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will probably be the initial 2 factors you will look at. Following are several additional ones that you will want to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC technical schools in the Fife Lake MI area have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Make sure that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you receive a quality education, it can assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Air Conditioning schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate might suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It could also signify that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which may result in more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of Fife Lake MI HVAC employers to assist graduates obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of HVAC technical programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with local Fife Lake MI HVAC companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the HVAC technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Fife Lake MI HVAC contractor if they can give you some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Fife Lake MI home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak to some of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Fife Lake MI, verify that the schools you are considering offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering an HVAC School near Fife Lake MI?

Perhaps you are considering enrolling in an HVAC training program in the Fife Lake Michigan area.  If so, you may find the following background information about the location of your new school campus both interesting and informative.

Fife Lake, Michigan

In 1872, J.L. Shaw and others built two small settlements on a lake on the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad. These were known as North Fife Lake and Fyfe Lane, which were on the north and west sides of Fife Lake, respectively. Later, in 1867, these villages united. Today on maps, the divide between the former villages is still clearly visible. The lake was named after William H. Fife of nearby Yuba. Later that year, Fife Lake Township was created.[6] The first church in the village was established in 1884.[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.20 square miles (3.11 km2), of which 0.75 square miles (1.94 km2) is land and 0.45 square miles (1.17 km2) is water.[10]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 443 people, 189 households, and 110 families residing in the village. The population density was 590.7 inhabitants per square mile (228.1/km2). There were 265 housing units at an average density of 353.3 per square mile (136.4/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 95.7% White, 0.7% African American, 1.6% Native American, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

How to Choose HVAC Degree Programs Fife Lake MI

Finding the ideal HVAC training course is an important first step toward a fulfilling career in the heating & cooling industry. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding How to Choose HVAC Degree Programs. However, as we have addressed in this article, you need to select an Heating and Cooling technical school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC trade. Other factors to look for are sufficient practical training and modern facilities. You need to visit each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and talk with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Also, inquire about scheduling options and if evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial aid and student loan options too. If you ask the proper questions as we have laid out in our checklist for comparing schools, you’ll be able to filter your choices so that you can make an educated decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and dedication, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC specialist in Fife Lake MI.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Michigan

  • Air Conditioning College Courses Ortonville MI
  • HVAC Associates Degree Holland MI
  • School for HVAC Technician Utica MI
  • HVAC School Online Sawyer MI
  • Schools That Offer HVAC Training Benton Harbor MI
  • Becoming an HVAC Technician Croswell MI
  • HVAC Technician College Paw Paw MI
  • HVAC Service Training Lakeville MI
  • HVAC Program Grosse Pointe MI
  • How Long is HVAC Training Eaton Rapids MI
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 17

    Precision Plumbing & Heating Systems
    9 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2829 Cass Rd, Traverse City, MI 49684

    Walters & Hemming
    4 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    421 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684

    Team Bob's Heating, Cooling, Plumbing
    10 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2282 Cass Rd, Traverse City, MI 49684

    Air Control Heating & Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    344 Cedar St, Kalkaska, MI 49646

    MD Heat
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    121 Ames St, Elk Rapids, MI 49629

    K & K Heating and Cooling
    4 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    945 Green St, Elk Rapids, MI 49629

    MacLellan Mechanical Services
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    733 E Eighth St, Ste 210, Traverse City, MI 49686

    Able Heating, Cooling and Plumbing
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Cadillac, MI 49601

    A1 Advantage Heating & Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    4774 S Boone Aire Dr, Traverse City, MI 49684

    Fireside Service And Installation
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Fireplace Services
    Phone:
    335 West South Airport Rd, Ste A, Traverse City, MI 49686