Share my plan
Community of interest
Industrial Technologies & Agriculture
Award
AS Degree
Program code
38058.00AS
Department
HVACR
CIP code
15.0501: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician.
TOP code
0946.00 - Environmental Control Technology*
The Associate of Science Degree in HVACR will serve our community by providing diverse experiential learning opportunities in a progressive curriculum, using modern technology, industry cooperation, and alumni support to prepare students for a productive future in the HVACR Industry. This program is designed for students to earn small industry recognized certificates, NATE certifications, a certificate of achievement, and an A.S. degree in HVACR. The curriculum is designed to produce students with internships and hands-on experiences with industry-aligned skills to install, commission, operate, and maintain residential, commercial, and industrial Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems. For skilled individuals employment opportunities are virtually unlimited. HVACR jobs are open in both residential and commercial industries throughout California as well as the nation and the world. There is also increased pressure throughout the skilled labor sectors due to the retirement of baby boomers. As of 2015, the industry was an $81.1 billion market, It's expected to grow by 5.5% each year through 2020. Refrigeration is expected to be a major player in this growth. In addition, we are now in a period of booming construction with people increasingly requiring facilities where they can work, live, and play comfortably in diverse climates.
Program detailsAward, code, department, CIP/TOP

Program Snapshot

Community of interest
ITAG Industrial Technologies & Agriculture
Award
AS Degree
Program code
38058.00AS
Department
HVACR
CIP code
15.0501: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician.
TOP code
0946.00 - Environmental Control Technology*

Next Steps

Map Class Schedule

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

Program Schedule ReportMeet with a counselor
HVACR
AS Degree — expand to learn about this award

The Associate of Science is typically awarded for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Like every Butte College associate degree, it has two parts: a general-education curriculum that gives you a broad base of knowledge, and an academic program where you specialize.

About General Education. GE is an integrated program of learning designed to foster intellectual curiosity, cultural understanding, critical thinking, creative reasoning, oral and written communication, and the capacity for ethical reasoning. By graduation, you'll have developed the ability to think critically, communicate clearly, apply quantitative reasoning, understand how the major academic disciplines ask their questions, comprehend diverse cultures and historical periods, and assess ethical problems — alongside the depth you build in your major.

See the 2025-26 Catalog for official program details

Semester-by-Semester Map

Term 1

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

17 units
HVAC 11
Introduction to HVACR
4 units
course details

This course is designed to teach the introduction to Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) as an industrial trade. Emphasis will be placed on developing basic safety skills, trade math, and the terminology, history, and future of the HVACR industry. These areas of instruction will be applied in several hands-on performance lab exercises. This course is part of the National Center For Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning curriculum qualification.

Corequisite: ITEC 55, HVAC 12, HVAC 13

HVAC 12
Basic HVACR Systems
4 units
course details

This course is designed to teach the functions of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems and where they are used in the industry. Emphasis will be placed on developing safety skills, heating and cooling system types, equipment categories, air distribution, components of a system, and the different types of tubing used in the industry. These areas of instruction will be applied in several hands on performance lab exercises. This course is part of the National Center For Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning curriculum qualification.

Corequisite: ITEC 55, HVAC 11, HVAC 13

HVAC 13
Trade Electricity
4 units
course details

This course is designed to provide pre-employment training in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems for industrial trades. Emphasis will be placed on developing basic safety skills, fundamentals of electricity, electrical theory, knowledge of electrical measuring instruments used in industry, and identification of electrical components. These areas of instruction will be applied in several hands on performance lab exercises. This course is part of the National Center For Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core curriculum qualification.

Corequisite: ITEC 55, HVAC 11, HVAC 12

ITEC 55
Introduction to Industrial Trades
2 units

Meets Graduation Requirement.

course details

This course is designed to provide pre-employment training for industrial trades. Emphasis will be placed on developing basic safety skills, tool identification, basic rigging and material handling skills, with soft skills training. These areas of instruction will be reinforced by hands-on application in several performance lab exercises. This course is part of the National Center For Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core curriculum qualification.

General Education: Area 6

about Area 6

Ethnic Studies

The histories, experiences, and contributions of the four autonomous disciplines: Black / African American / Africana studies, Native American studies, Chicano/a/x and Latino/a/x studies, and Asian American studies.

Term 2

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

15–17 units
HVAC 21
Introduction to the Refrigerant System
4 units
course details

This course is designed to provide pre-employment training in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems for industrial trades. Emphasis will be placed on developing safety skills, metering and gauge identification, lubrication oils used, replacement of refrigerant circuits, knowledge of heat pump systems, and inspection and maintenance of procedures. These areas of instruction will be applied in several hands on performance lab exercises. This course is part of the National Center For Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core curriculum qualification.

Prerequisite: ITEC 55, HVAC 11, HVAC 12, HVAC 13

Corequisite: HVAC 22, HVAC 23

HVAC 22
Intermediate HVACR Components
4 units
course details

This course is designed to provide pre-employment training in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems for industrial trades. Emphasis will be placed on developing safety skills, tool identification, basic rigging and material handling skills, with soft skills training. These areas of instruction will be applied in several hands on performance lab exercises. This course is part of the National Center For Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core curriculum qualification.

Prerequisite: ITEC 55, HVAC 11, HVAC 12, HVAC 13

Corequisite: HVAC 21, HVAC 23

HVAC 23
Intermediate HVACR Concepts
4 units
course details

This course is designed to provide pre-employment training in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems for industrial trades. Emphasis will be placed on developing safety skills, commercial air distribution, factors to be controlled when dealing with indoor air quality, types of hot-water heating systems, and devices used in hydronic systems. These areas of instruction will be applied in several hands on performance lab exercises. This course is part of the National Center For Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core curriculum qualification.

Prerequisite: ITEC 55, HVAC 11, HVAC 12, HVAC 13

Corequisite: HVAC 21, HVAC 22

General Education: Area 2

about Area 2

Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

College-level mathematics or quantitative reasoning — the toolkit behind science, business, and informed citizenship.

Term 3

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

16 units
HVAC 31
Advanced HVACR Components
4 units
course details

This course is designed to provide pre-employment training in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems for industrial trades. Emphasis will be placed on developing safety skills, identifying fasteners, understanding of common control devices, troubleshooting oil-fired heating systems and various system accessories. These areas of instruction will be applied in several hands on performance lab exercises. This course is part of the National Center For Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core curriculum qualification.

Prerequisite: HVAC 21, HVAC 22, HVAC 23

Corequisite: HVAC 32, HVAC 33

HVAC 32
Advanced HVACR Service
5 units
course details

This course is designed to provide pre-employment training in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems for industrial trades. Emphasis will be placed on developing safety skills, troubleshooting skills on electrical, refrigerant, heat pumps, airflow diagnostics, commercial refrigeration systems, and customer relations. These areas of instruction will be applied in several hands on performance lab exercises. This course is part of the National Center For Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core curriculum qualification.

Prerequisite: HVAC 21, HVAC 22, HVAC 23

Corequisite: HVAC 31, HVAC 33

HVAC 33
Internship with Local Trade Company
7 units
course details

This course is designed to teach students skills by simulations and field internship experiences required to meet industry standards in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems and North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification. Emphasis will be placed on developing safety skills, troubleshooting skills, application of electrical diagnostics and customer relation practices. These areas of instruction will be applied in several hands on performance lecture and lab exercises. This course is part of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core curriculum qualification.

Prerequisite: HVAC 21, HVAC 22, HVAC 23

Corequisite: HVAC 31, HVAC 32

Term 4

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

17 units
HVAC 41
Advanced HVACR Systems
4 units
course details

This course is designed to provide pre-employment training in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems for industrial trades. Emphasis will be placed on developing safety skills, water related concepts, indoor air quality, energy management systems, air balancing, and proper startup and shutdown procedures. These areas of instruction will be applied in several hands on performance lab exercises. This course is part of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core curriculum qualification.

Prerequisite: HVAC 31, HVAC 32, HVAC 33

Corequisite: HVAC 42, HVAC 43

HVAC 42
Advanced HVACR Design
5 units
course details

This course is designed to provide pre-employment training in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems for industrial trades. Emphasis will be placed on developing safety skills, reading construction drawings, system design, commercial refrigeration, alternative HVAC systems, and leadership skills for supervisors. These areas of instruction will be applied in several hands on performance lab exercises. This course is part of the National Center For Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core curriculum qualification.

Prerequisite: HVAC 31, HVAC 32, HVAC 33

Corequisite: HVAC 41, HVAC 43

HVAC 43
Advanced Internship with Local Trade Company
8 units
course details

This course is designed to further develop and polish the skills required to succeed in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems industry. The student will develop personal and general safety skills, enhance the communication skills required to begin diagnosis of equipment and system operations, perform system maintenance, and ultimately complete repairs ranging from a simple adjustment, to a compressor replacement. Experiences in this course are intended to prepare students to pass the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification and the Environmental Protection Agencies Refrigerant Certification Examination. Successful completion of both exams is required to pursue a career in the HVAC field. This is part of the National Center For Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning curriculum qualification.

Prerequisite: HVAC 31, HVAC 32, HVAC 33

Corequisite: HVAC 41, HVAC 42

Term 5

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

15–19 units

General Education: Area 1A

about Area 1A

English Composition

Baccalaureate-level academic writing — expository and argumentative. The foundation for every other course you'll write in.

General Education: Area 1B

about Area 1B

Oral Communication and Critical Thinking

Baccalaureate-level oral communication and/or critical thinking — speaking with structure to a live audience, analyzing arguments, identifying assumptions.

General Education: Area 3

about Area 3

Arts and Humanities

How people and cultures, across time, respond to themselves and the world through artistic and cultural creative production. Visual and performing arts, art history, foreign languages, literature, philosophy, religion.

General Education: Area 4

about Area 4

Social and Behavioral Sciences

The systematic study of people as members of society — cultural anthropology, cultural geography, economics, history, political science, psychology, sociology — and the methods these disciplines use to ask their questions.

General Education: Area 5

about Area 5

Physical and Biological Sciences

The physical universe, its life forms, and its natural phenomena — astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, meteorology, oceanography, physics — taught alongside the scientific method that makes them work.

Career Connections

2-Year Degree Paths

Entry points students may pursue after associate-level study, technical preparation, or licensure pathways.

Example roles: 1

  • Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

4-Year Degree Paths

Roles that more often open up after transfer and a bachelor's degree.

Example roles: 1

  • Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

Graduate School Paths

Advanced roles commonly associated with graduate, professional, or post-baccalaureate study.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset are grouped into the graduate-school pathway for this program.

Local Job Market

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersSOC 49-90211 nearby opening

Search keyword used: HVAC technician · Search window: last 30 days, 25-mile radius · Avg listed salary: $67,600/yr

Top employers in sample

  • Reynolds Electric, Plumbing, Heating and Air 1

Where the postings are

  • Oregon, Butte County 1

Sample current postings

  1. Residential HVAC Service TechnicianReynolds Electric, Plumbing, Heating and Air · Oregon, Butte County · 2 weeks ago

See all openings on Adzuna

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All OtherSOC 17-30293 nearby openings

Search keyword used: field service technician · Search window: last 30 days, 25-mile radius · Avg listed salary: $125,000/yr

Top employers in sample

  • ICM Solutions 2
  • Zimmer Biomet 1

Where the postings are

  • Thermalito, Butte County 2
  • Oregon, Butte County 1

Sample current postings

  1. Robotics Clinical Sales ManagerZimmer Biomet · Oregon, Butte County · 13 days ago
  2. Service Analyst - Crushing EquipmentICM Solutions · Thermalito, Butte County · 2 weeks ago
  3. Field Service TechnicianICM Solutions · Thermalito, Butte County · 4 weeks ago

See all openings on Adzuna

Posting counts come from Adzuna's index of US job boards, covering the last 30 days within 25 miles of ZIP 95965. Coverage and salary visibility vary by employer. Empty searches expand the radius and posting window before the section gives up.

Source Notes

Course sequencing is generated from the Acadia Program Mapper cache. Career groupings use local CIP-to-SOC mappings and BLS occupation data when available. Confirm education plans with Counseling and Advising.

Live wage data was not available from the BLS helper for the mapped occupations, so some pay fields may be blank.

Last generated 2026-06-12T23:23+00:00