Level I Certificates & AAS, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Additional information: Reference the SHSU Polytechnic College page for additional information.
Program Description
The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Program is designed to equip students with the technical knowledge and hands-on skills required for in-demand careers in residential HVAC systems. The program emphasizes a strong foundation in mechanical principles, electrical systems, diagnostics and safety standards, while also providing extensive practical training in installation, maintenance, and repair. Built around industry-recognized certifications and a workforce-aligned curriculum, students gain real-world experience through hands-on labs, internships and partnerships with regional employers.
As part of the program, students will be prepared to test for and earn their EPA Section 608 Universal Certificate and the ESCO Employment Ready/HVAC Excellence Certification. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to enter the workforce as skilled HVAC technicians and are eligible to serve as a registered technician under a licensed contractor sponsor and begin accruing the required supervised work experience toward technician or contractor licensure.
Statewide Industry Insights
- Current Workforce: 63,439
- Average Salary: $62,000
- Open Positions: 6,926
Data provided by Lightcast, 2025
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level I Certificate, HVAC Electrical and Controls Technician | ||
| HART 1401 | Basic Electricity for HVAC | 4 |
| HART 1407 | Refrigeration Principles | 4 |
| HART 2301 | Air Conditioning and Refrige | 3 |
| HART 2368 | Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology/Technician | 3 |
| HART 2442 | Commercial Refrigeration | 4 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Note: The Level I certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level I Certificate, Residential HVAC Technician | ||
| EECT 1300 | Technical Customer Service | 3 |
| HART 1445 | Gas and Electric Heating | 4 |
| HART 2331 | Advanced Electricity for HVAC | 3 |
| HART 2334 | Advanced Air Conditioning Controls | 3 |
| Total Hours | 17 | |
| Cumulative Total | 35 | |
Note: The Level I certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AAS, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) | ||
| Level I Certificate, HVAC Electrical and Controls Technician | 18 | |
| Level I Certificate, Residential HVAC Technician | 17 | |
| Core Curriculum | ||
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I 1 | 3 |
| GOVT 2306 | Texas Government 2 | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | Pre Calculus Algebra 3 | 3 |
| SPCH 1318 | Interpersonal Communication 4 | 3 |
| SPCH 1321 | Business & Professional Communication 5 | 3 |
| Required Courses | ||
| HART 2336 | Air Conditioning Troubleshooting | 3 |
| HART 2345 | Residential Air Conditioning System Design | 3 |
| HART 2441 | Commercial Air Conditioning | 4 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
ENGL 1301 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).
- 2
GOVT 2306 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).
- 3
MATH 1314 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics).
- 4
SPCH 1318 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture).
- 5
SPCH 1321 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).
Additional information: Reference the SHSU Polytechnic College page for additional information.
Level I Certificate, HVAC Electrical and Controls Technician
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Hours |
| Term 1 | |
| HART 1401 | 4 |
| HART 1407 | 4 |
| HART 2368 | 3 |
| Term 2 | |
| HART 2301 | 3 |
| HART 2442 | 4 |
| 18 | |
| Total Hours: 18 | |
Notes: The Level I certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum. All courses are scheduled for 7.5-weeks in length.
Level I Certificate, Residential HVAC Technician
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Spring | Hours |
| Term 3 | |
| EECT 1300 | 3 |
| HART 2331 | 3 |
| HART 2334 | 3 |
| Term 4 | |
| HART 1441 | 4 |
| HART 1445 | 4 |
| 17 | |
| Total Hours: 17 | |
Notes: The Level I certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum. All courses are scheduled for 7.5-weeks in length.
AAS, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hours | ||
| Term 5 | |||
| GOVT 23061 | 3 | ||
| MATH 13142 | 3 | ||
| SPCH 13183 | 3 | ||
| Term 6 | |||
| ENGL 13014 | 3 | ||
| SPCH 13215 | 3 | ||
| 15 | |||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | ||
| Term 7 | |||
| HART 2336 | 3 | ||
| HART 2345 | 3 | ||
| HART 2441 | 4 | ||
| 10 | |||
| Total Hours: 25 | |||
Note: All courses are scheduled for 7.5-weeks in length.
- 1
GOVT 2306 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).
- 2
MATH 1314 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics).
- 3
SPCH 1318 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture).
- 4
ENGL 1301 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).
- 5
SPCH 1321 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
The Level I Certificates and AAS Program in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) are designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Ability to install, maintain, and repair residential and commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, including electrical components, ductwork, and controls.
- Develop the skills to identify and troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues in HVAC systems using industry-standard diagnostic tools and techniques..
- Apply EPA Section 608 guidelines to safely handle, recover, and dispose of refrigerants in accordance with environmental regulations.
- Ability to communicate effectively with clients, document service work, and explain technical issues in clear, professional language.
- Demonstrate knowledge of OSHA standards, safe work practices, and compliance with state and federal HVAC licensing requirements.
Electrical, Electronic and Communication Technology
EECT 1300. Technical Customer Service. 3 Hours.
General principles of customer service within a technical environment. Topics include internal/external customer relationships, time-management, best practices, and verbal and non-verbal communications skills.
Heating and Air Conditioning Technology
HART 1401. Basic Electricity for HVAC. 4 Hours.
Principles of electricity as required by HVAC, including proper use of test equipment, electrical circuits, and component theory and operation.
HART 1407. Refrigeration Principles. 4 Hours.
An introduction to the refrigeration cycle, heat transfer theory, temperature/pressure relationship, refrigerant handling, refrigeration components, and safety.
HART 1441. Residential Air Conditioning. 4 Hours.
A study of components, applications, and installation of mechanical air conditioning systems including operating conditions, troubleshooting, repair, and charging of air conditioning systems.
HART 1445. Gas and Electric Heating. 4 Hours.
Study of the procedures and principles used in servicing heating systems including gas fired furnaces and electric heating systems.
HART 2301. Air Conditioning and Refrige. 3 Hours.
HVAC standards and concepts with emphasis on the understanding, and documentation of the codes and regulations required for the state mechanical contractors license and local codes.
HART 2331. Advanced Electricity for HVAC. 3 Hours.
Advanced electrical instruction and skill building in installation and servicing of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment including detailed instruction in motors and power distribution motors, motor controls, and application of solid state devices.
HART 2334. Advanced Air Conditioning Controls. 3 Hours.
Theory and application of electrical control devices, electromechanical controls, and/or pneumatic controls.
HART 2336. Air Conditioning Troubleshooting. 3 Hours.
An advanced course in application of troubleshooting principles and use of test instruments to diagnose air conditioning and refrigeration components and system problems including conducting performance tests.
HART 2345. Residential Air Conditioning System Design. 3 Hours.
Study of the properties of air and results of cooling, heating, humidifying or dehumidifying; heat gain and heat loss calculations including equipment selection and balancing the air system.
HART 2368. Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology/Technician. 3 Hours.
Practical, general workplace training supported by an individualized learning plan developed by the employer, college, and student.
HART 2441. Commercial Air Conditioning. 4 Hours.
A study of components, applications, and installation of air conditioning systems with capacities of 25 tons or less.
HART 2442. Commercial Refrigeration. 4 Hours.
Theory and practical application in the maintenance of commercial refrigeration; medium, and low temperature applications and ice machines.
