Quick Facts

• Location: Pine Bluff, Arkansas
• Address: 1900 S Hazel St, Pine Bluff, AR 71603
• School Type: Public Community & Technical College
• Programs Offered: Welding Technology, Industrial Technology, Industrial Equipment Maintenance, CDL/Commercial Vehicle training, healthcare and other career programs
• Training Style: Hands-on labs, certificates, technical certificates, associate degrees and workforce training
• Tuition Range: Published in-state tuition $120 per credit; out-of-state $240 per credit, plus applicable fees
• Program Length: Short-term certificates through approximately 2-year associate degrees
• Online Programs Available: Yes, including selected workforce/career-training courses
• Hybrid Learning: Selected courses may use online or blended delivery; core hands-on trades require in-person training
• Financial Aid: Federal and state aid, scholarships, work-study and other assistance for qualifying students
• Class Options: Day, technical and continuing-education/workforce options
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.3 (43 Reviews)
• Website: Official Southeast Arkansas College website

Overview

Southeast Arkansas College, commonly called SEARK, is a public two-year college in Pine Bluff with deep roots in vocational education. Its predecessor was Pines Vocational-Technical School, which began offering postsecondary vocational programs in 1959 before eventually becoming Southeast Arkansas College. The college remains heavily involved in career and technical education today.

For TradeSchoolScout, its most relevant areas are Welding Technology, Industrial Technology and Industrial Equipment Maintenance, along with short-term workforce programs. SEARK offers Certificates of Proficiency, Technical Certificates and associate degrees, allowing students to choose between shorter workforce preparation and more extensive college credentials.

Programs Offered

Trade and industrial options include:

• Welding Technology
• Industrial Technology
• Industrial Equipment Maintenance
• Commercial Vehicle/CDL training
• Continuing Education & Workforce Training
• Online Welder Technician training
• Manufacturing-related career training

Welding Technology

SEARK’s college curriculum includes Welding Technology at several credential levels:

• Certificate of Proficiency
• Technical Certificate
• Associate-level technical pathway

This stackable structure makes SEARK useful both for students seeking targeted occupational skills and those wanting a broader college credential.

SEARK also currently offers an online Welder Technician continuing-education program. The standard online course is advertised at $2,799, while the version that includes tools is $3,699.

The online option should not be confused with SEARK’s hands-on campus welding curriculum; students seeking practical booth training should verify the current on-campus Welding Technology schedule.

Industrial Technology

Industrial Technology is available as an associate-level pathway as well as a Certificate of Proficiency.

This is particularly relevant to Pine Bluff-area manufacturing and industrial employers because it provides technical preparation for working with industrial systems and equipment.

Industrial Equipment Maintenance

SEARK also offers a Technical Certificate in Industrial Equipment Maintenance, providing a more focused pathway for students interested in maintaining equipment used in industrial and manufacturing environments.

Commercial Vehicle Training

The college lists a Commercial Vehicle License credential among its Certificates of Proficiency, adding a transportation-oriented option to its career-training lineup.

Tuition & Financial Aid

SEARK’s most recently published catalog rate found for traditional college enrollment lists:

• Arkansas resident tuition: $120/credit
• Out-of-state tuition: $240/credit

Additional required fees and program-specific costs can apply.

Because those figures became effective in Fall 2025, students entering in 2026–27 should verify the current rate with SEARK before enrolling rather than assuming it remains unchanged.

Online continuing-education programs have separate prices. For example:

• Online Welder Technician — $2,799
• Online Welder Technician with tools — $3,699

Students pursuing degree/certificate programs should contact SEARK’s financial-aid office about federal grants, scholarships, work-study and other available assistance.

Accreditation

Southeast Arkansas College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Its technical and health programs may also carry separate approvals or accreditation where applicable.

Why Students Choose This School

• Public-college tuition
• Welding Technology
• Industrial Technology
• Industrial Equipment Maintenance
• Stackable credentials
• Associate-degree pathways
• Short-term workforce training
• Online career-training options
• Pine Bluff location
• Higher Learning Commission accreditation

Career Opportunities

Depending on the program, graduates may pursue entry-level positions such as:

• Welder/Fabricator
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Manufacturing Technician
• Equipment Maintenance Technician
• Production Technician
• Commercial Driver
• Industrial Technician

Employer certifications or occupational licensing may still apply.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied Google data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.3 (43 Reviews)

Because SEARK is a comprehensive college, this overall rating covers far more than its welding and industrial programs.

Enrollment Tips

Students interested in welding should determine whether they want hands-on campus Welding Technology or the online Welder Technician continuing-education course. These are not equivalent experiences.

Someone planning to work professionally as a welder will generally want substantial hands-on practice, so the campus credential should receive serious consideration rather than choosing an online course solely because it is convenient.

Students should also compare the Certificate of Proficiency, Technical Certificate and longer degree pathways before enrolling. A shorter credential may be enough for some employment goals.

Bottom Line

Southeast Arkansas College should be a strong public-college listing on your Arkansas page. Its combination of Welding Technology, Industrial Technology, Industrial Equipment Maintenance and workforce training makes it especially relevant to students around Pine Bluff. The availability of stackable credentials is a major advantage for students who want to start with a shorter certificate and potentially continue toward a larger credential later.