Get Trade Program Info
There's no cost to talk with a GCU university counselor, and you are not required to enroll.
GCU TRADE CERTIFICATES & PATHWAYS · PHOENIX, AZ
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Skip the four-year wait. Train hands-on in Phoenix and earn college credit.
1 – 2 semesters
Hands-on, on campus
Accredited since 1968
Make Your Trades Education More Affordable
Investing in your future in a skilled trade may be more attainable with scholarship opportunities. Explore options designed to help reduce costs while you build practical, job-ready skills through GCU’s trade pathways.
Trade Certificates at GCU
These certificates are taught on campus by the Center for Workforce Development. Pick one that fits, and a GCU university counselor can help you get started.
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE
Advanced Manufacturing
Study manufacturing processes, safety, applied mathematics, professional communication and workforce readiness, then choose from three technical specializations: maintenance technician, manufacturing technician or quality control.
2 semesters · 6 courses · 24 credits
Career Path Industries: aerospace, semiconductors, automotive, electronics, energy, medical devices and industrial equipment.
Build Job-Ready Skills in Class and in the Shop
Shorter Duration
Trade pathways and certificates can be completed in a shorter timeframe than traditional degree programs, allowing you to gain career-ready skills and enter the workforce in a timely manner.
Specialized Skill Set
Each program and pathway focuses on developing the technical and practical skills required by employers in each specific industry, helping you prepare for your chosen trade.
Hands-On Experience
You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to practical exercises and on-site experiences to help you step into your career as a knowledgeable professional.
Start building your skills today with a trade certificate or pathway. A GCU university counselor can explain programs, class schedules, tuition and scholarship options.
Get Started on Your Trade Career
Common Questions
A trade certificate is a short-term educational program that provides focused, career-specific training in a skilled trade or technical field. These programs emphasize hands-on experiences and practical application of knowledge, helping you develop the skills needed to enter the workforce in your chosen industry.
While both these options can prepare you for a career in your trade, a certificate program typically takes less time to complete and focuses on developing specialized technical skills for a specific job or trade. In contrast, an associate degree may include more general education along with career-focused training and a longer time to completion.
No, apprenticeships are not necessary to earn a trade certificate. However, trade careers require specialized training that can be gained through a certificate program or an apprenticeship. Both experiences can equip you with the specific training you need for your field.
Train for a Skilled Trade in 1 – 2 Semesters at GCU
CERTIFICATES
Construction Trades
Focus on skills to start a career in the construction industry. Learn workplace safety, communication, applied mathematics and workplace success. Customize your program through special classes in one of the following fields: mechanical and plumbing, electrician, civil construction, HVAC or concrete.
2 semesters · 6 courses · 24 credits
Career Path Roles: first-line supervisor of construction trades, construction foreman, construction supervisor, electrical supervisor, roustabout field supervisor
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE
SCHOLARSHIPS
BENEFITS
These programs teach practical, job-ready skills while providing you with the opportunity to train alongside industry professionals. You can earn credentials that can help you navigate the workforce with confidence.
1 Semester
Industry-funded
4 courses
Shadowing at TSMC Arizona
Manufacturing Specialist Intensive (MSI) Pathway
The MSI Pathway, sponsored by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) Arizona, is a one-semester, industry-funded pathway that can help prepare you for a career in advanced manufacturing and automation. Through a focused four-course curriculum, you will work to develop technical skills, solve practical challenges and gain valuable industry knowledge to pursue roles such as that of a manufacturing specialist.
The pathway also includes a hands-on shadowing experience at TSMC Arizona, offering firsthand exposure to manufacturing environments and professional mentorship.
SKILLED TRADE PATHWAY
GCU Partnerships
GCU has partnered with industry leaders to provide scholarship and grant opportunities to students pursuing a trade pathway.
Foster's Outriders Scholarship for the Trades
This scholarship program provides GCU students with the opportunity to receive scholarship funding and work with mentors in the industry.
FAQ
Backed by Grand Canyon University
Every trade certificate and pathway on this page is offered by Grand Canyon University, a private Christian university in Phoenix. You'll earn college credit from an accredited university, with the opportunity to train alongside knowledgeable faculty and industry professionals in modern labs and shops on GCU's campus.
ABOUT GCU
75+ Years
of long-standing commitment to quality education
Accredited
by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1968
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Train for a Skilled Trade in 1 – 2 Semesters at GCU
1 Completion of the Undergraduate Certificate in Assembly Test Technician does not guarantee employment with Amkor.
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Assembly Test Technician
Focus on assembly, testing, inspection and quality practices used in manufacturing.
In partnership with Amkor Technology Arizona, this two-semester, six-course program is endorsed by SEMI and designed to help prepare you for an entry-level assembly equipment technician role.
2 semesters · 6 courses · 24 credits
Eligible program completers will be considered for an interview with Amkor.1
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE
