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Computer Aided Design (CAD) Drafting Technologies - AAS

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Minnesota State College Southeast's 100% CAD classes online attracts students from all around the world. Begin your CAD designer career path by earning a CAD Drafting Associate Degree online from Minnesota State College Southeast's nationally recognized CAD program. With an associate's degree in computer aided drafting and design from Minnesota State College Southeast, you'll learn drafting programs and the latest technology that will prepare you for your next CAD designer career path.

Career Area: Engineering, Manufacturing & Trades
Program: Computer Aided Design (CAD) Drafting Technologies
Campus(es): Online


Major Details

Courses

Cost

Careers

Outcomes

Highlights

Instructors

 Major Details

Complex products all start with a plan. By receiving a CAD Associates Degree online from Minnesota State College Southeast's online CAD drafting program, you will learn how to translate ideas at the product conception stage into physical work plans that launch the design process. As a CAD designer, you will be an essential part of any technical team.

A Southeast drafting associate degree from our nationally recognized education program will increase your value in a CAD designer career path.

The two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Aided Design (CAD) Drafting Technologies will prepare you for employment with 16 credits of general education in communications, math, the humanities, and physics plus 44 credits of technical education.

Employment opportunities in the CAD drafting field abound, and a degree from Southeast's associate degree in cad and drafting program will prepare you with the specific skills employers are looking for. Solidworks, Inventor, Autocad - they're all here, and you will learn how to apply these industry-standard CAD software programs on a project basis just as you will on the job.

Our highly experienced CAD drafting faculty will teach you the tools of the trade so that you can be successful in your career on day one. And with their industry connections, Minnesota State College Southeast instructors will help you find an internship to gain invaluable real-world experience.

Have a busy schedule or just like to work at your own pace? The online CAD drafting program is flexible enough to accommodate your busy lifestyle, but rigorous enough to ensure you develop the skills employers demand. Take the next step to achieve an online CAD degree, and put a new CAD designer career in motion!

Apply now for admission to Minnesota State College Southeast

Cluster/Pathway

Career Field: Engineering, Manufacturing & Technology
Cluster: Manufacturing
Pathway: Manufacturing Production Process Development
Recommended high school classes and basic job/program skills

Download the Program Plan

 Courses

1) Must complete a minimum of 3 different MnTC goals in Liberal Arts and Sciences.

2) 1100 or higher Liberal Arts and Sciences courses required unless specified.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Choose one Goal 1 course
3 cr
Choose one Goal 4 course. MATH 1220 College Algebra is suggested. (If transferring to a 4-year college, MATH 1225 Pre-Calculus is preferred.)
3 cr
Choose one Goal 5 course
3 cr
Choose one Goal 6 course
3 cr
PHYS1215
This non-calculus based course introduces the basic principles of physics through applications, problems, and experiments. Newtonian motion and conservation laws for linear and circular motion will be covered including speed, velocity, and acceleration for linear and projectile motion. Oscillatory motion will be covered including mechanical, light, sound and energy waves. Thermodynamics will be introduced including the first and second law of thermodynamics. (Meets MnTC Goal 3) (Prerequisite: Algebra College Level Placement or successful completion of MATH1035 Intermediate Algebra) (4 credits: 3 lecture/1 lab)
4 cr
 
16 crs
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Choose one or more Technical electives.
8 cr
MDAD1204
AutoCAD is one of the most common computer-aided design software used in industry. This course will introduce the AutoCAD software user interface, sketching tools, layers, Multiview projection, dimensioning styles, and other basic drawing and editing tools used in the creation of 2D engineering drawings. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 1 lecture/2 lab)
3 cr
MDAD1205
This course covers the fundamentals of Autodesk Inventor 3D parametric drawing and design. The student will use Inventor to create 3D parametric models as well as use these models to create 2D engineering drawings and documentation. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 1 lecture/2 lab)
3 cr
MDAD1206
This course covers the application and implementation of Geometric Tolerancing ASME Y14.5M-2018. Topics Include: fundamentals, Datums, Form, Orientation, Runout, Location and Position Tolerances. (Prerequisite: MDAD 1250 ¿ Print Reading for CAD Design) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
MDAD1216
This course is an exploration of the inner workings of machines, namely mechanisms. This includes cams, linkages, belt and chain drives, gears, bearings and speed reducers. Also included will be a section on fluid power. (Prerequisites: MDAD1204 and MDAD1250, or MDAD1241 and MDAD1250, or MDAD1250 and MDAD1252) (Concurrent: MDAD 1241 if not already taken) (3 credits: 1 lecture/2 lab)
3 cr
MDAD1241
This course covers the fundamentals of Solidworks parametric drawing and design. The student will use Solidworks to create 3D parametric models as well as use these models to create engineering drawings and documentation. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 1 lecture/2 lab)
3 cr
MDAD1250
This is essentially a blueprint reading course that focuses on drafting essentials. Content will include 2d view projection, line types, dimensions, tolerances, sections, auxiliary views, and all the other basics required to understand a basic engineering drawing. This course lays the building blocks for the remainder of the Drafting and Design courses. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
MDAD1251
This course covers an introduction to manufacturing processes and an overview of automated manufacturing systems relating to plastics, metals, ceramics, and composite materials. The processes related to these materials covered will be forming, separating, fabricating, conditioning, and finishing. This course also briefly covers material handling, JIT, inventory reductions, etc. This will help the student in fitting into today and tomorrow's manufacturing climate. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
MDAD1252
This course will provide the student with a solid understanding of what is required of industrial technical drawings. This course covers assemblies, subassemblies, bills of materials, sectioning, machine parts, tolerancing and fasteners. (Prerequisites: MDAD1204 and MDAD1250, or MDAD1241 and MDAD1250, or MDAD1255 and MDAD1250, or MDAD 1205 and MDAD 1250) (Concurrent enrollment in MDAD1241 Solidworks is required if Solidworks has not been completed.) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
MDAD1253
The course will provide the student with a more advanced understanding of what is required of mechanical technical drawings. It is a project related course that will enhance skills gained in Working Drawings I. The projects will be diverse ranging from tool drawings to production assemblies. (Prerequisites: MDAD1252) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
MDAD1254
The course will provide the student with a basic knowledge of mold design. This course covers the use of 3d parametric software to create plastic injection molds. The student will create two molds. (Prerequisites: MDAD1252) (3 credits: 3 credits/0 lab)
3 cr
MDAD1256
This course is a design class that will focus on the design process. The student will gain confidence in his or her ability to apply sound product design parameters based on design considerations. A holistic approach will be used to incorporate the many functions of a designer in a company. The course can be taken in conjunction with Design Project II or alone. (Prerequisite: MDAD1253) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
MDAD1257
This course is a design class that will focus on the design process. It can be an extension of Design Project I or it can be taken as a separate Design Project class. The student will gain confidence in his or her ability to apply sound product design parameters based on design considerations. A holistic approach will be used to incorporate the many functions of a designer in a company. (Prerequisites: MDAD1253) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
 
44 crs

Total Credits Required for this Major: 60

 Cost

Estimated Costs for this Major
Approximate Tuition/Fees: $12,916
Minimum Tool Cost: $50
Books/Supplies: $985
Estimated Total: $13,951

 Career Opportunities

  • Mechanical Designers

  • Plant Designers

  • Mechanical Drafters

  • CAD Technicians

Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, and much more in this career field.

 Outcomes

Program graduates will be able to:

  1. Complete industry standard assembly drawings using 2d and 3d CAD.

  2. Complete industry standard part drawings using 2d and 3d CAD.

  3. Calculate mating part conditions to guarantee part fits.

  4. Define and apply proper design materials.

  5. Define and apply proper standard part vendors.

  6. Communicate verbally and in written forms.

 Highlights

  • Courses are taught using state of the art CAD 3D Parametric software

  • Excellent training for self-starters

  • CAD Drafters/Designers are in constant demand

  • The courses are focused on developing your skills for employment

  • Instructors are licensed because of their experience in the drafting and design field

  • Excellent placement

  • Online CAD degree in two years or less.

 Instructors

Tyler Litscher

Computer Aided Drafting and Design instructor Tyler Litscher is a graduate of the CAD AAS program at Minnesota State College Southeast. Tyler has more than 9 years of experience in the mechanical design field. His experience includes mechanical design work in heavy duty lifting equipment (winches, hoist, cranes, etc.), theater/stadium rigging, and some experience with electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic designs. Tyler began teaching at MSC Southeast in 2017 and became a full-time member of the faculty in 2022.

 

Majors in the Computer Aided Design (CAD) Drafting Technologies program

Computer Aided Design (CAD) Drafting Technologies AAS

Computer Aided Design (CAD) Drafting Technologies DIP

Basic Drafting Technologies CERT

Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) Technologies CERT