Welding training choices feedback needed

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An education question or two for the group if I may.  As I said when I introduced myself, I am a mid-40s year old guy who is considering a career-switch from a semi-skilled white collar life to welding.  Today I got the info from the local community college in the mail.  While I will take the intro/101 course in January to see how I like the trade I noticed a few things for longer-term.  It is here I need some input.First, for shop-welding, what do your math and science skills need to be?  I have my Bachelors Degree, though like most people who have not been using lots of math in daily work some brush-up would not hurt.  They have either what amounts to an intermediate algebra course, same one I tool 25 years ago, or some kind of "Math for Industry."  Similarly there is a college and industrial physics.  What is really needed.In a related question, they have a "Degree" and a "Certificate" program.  The Degree program states it prepares for supervision and some higher level jobs while the certificate says it is for basic welding work.  About 1/3 of the degree program is coursework I did in my bachelors years back.  My thought is if I see it through and get a certificate my bachelors an management experience will carry at least the weight of an Associates Degree in welding.  Am I correct in this?Also, any advice on what certifications are best to get an any that are less so.  Thanks to all in advance
Reply:so do you want to be a welder or a supervisor?
Reply:I think you need to get a copy of your transcripts from the college you got your B.S. from, and take it to the other school. I think you may get lucky and have a lot of the credits transfer. if so, go for the A.A.S. in welding.Last edited by T.J.; 11-15-2013 at 08:53 PM.Reason: typo
Reply:Originally Posted by sae300so do you want to be a welder or a supervisor?
Reply:You'll be 10 years in retirement before you know a damn thing.Basic pre-no "child left behind" mathematics and a bit of good geometry is helpful. Fractions, thousandths, metrics, sq in/ft/yard-mm/cm/m etc.Basic threads and fastening systems help. Welders generally spin wrenches and make holes(sometimes threaded) too. The greatest part of the trade is about the time you tinking you knowing yer chit, you find out you know nothing. It's never boring as long as you love learning.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by AZDuffmanI would like to move to supervision after learning the trade.  Or get to some kind of management with some kind of operation involving gas and oil.  I have a landman background in that so a mix of actually knowing welding and pipelines might be a most unusual combination in that business.  If that means good remains to be seen, but I doubt it would hurt.  A smaller to mid-sized operation always needs well-rounded people.
Reply:Originally Posted by AZDuffmanI would like to move to supervision after learning the trade.  Or get to some kind of management with some kind of operation involving gas and oil.  I have a landman background in that so a mix of actually knowing welding and pipelines might be a most unusual combination in that business.  If that means good remains to be seen, but I doubt it would hurt.  A smaller to mid-sized operation always needs well-rounded people.
Reply:The degree program should include stuff like english, speech, cad, which you should have already taken and should recieve credit for.