Minnesota State College Southeast's 100% online CAD program attracts students from all around the world. Begin your CAD designer career path by earning a CAD certificate online from Southeast's nationally recognized program. With a CAD design certificate from Minnesota State College Southeast's online program, you will learn computer aided design & drafting skills that will prepare you for your new computer career and serve as building blocks for further education.
Major Details
Increase your job prospects — Get a 2-year degree in CAD!
Complex products all start with a plan. By starting your education with CAD classes online for a certificate in Computer Aided Drafting Technologies from Minnesota State College Southeast, 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.
Our highly experienced Southeast's CAD drafting faculty will teach you the tools of the trade so that you can be successful in your career on day one. You'll learn how to apply Solidworks and AutoCAD, industry-standard CAD software programs, on a project basis just as you will on the job.
Have a busy schedule or just like to work at your own pace? Southeast's online CAD drafting program and CAD classes are flexible enough to accommodate your busy lifestyle, but rigorous enough to ensure you develop the skills employers demand. Take the next step to earn an online CAD certificate, and put a new CAD designer career path in motion.
Apply now for admission to Minnesota State College Southeast
Download the Program Plan
Courses
1) 1000 level (minimum) General Education courses required unless specified.
MDAD1204
Autocad
AutoCAD is the most common computer aided drafting software. This course will cover AutoCAD functions as used in engineering drawing. Basic and advanced commands will be used to complete assignments. An introduction to 3-D CAD will be included. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 1 lecture/2 lab)
Download the Course Outline
3 cr
MDAD1241
Solidworks
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)
Download the Course Outline
3 cr
Total Credits Required for this Major: 9 Credits
Estimated Costs for this Major
| Approximate Tuition/Fees: | $2,086 |
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| Minimum Tool Cost: | N/A |
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| Books/Supplies: | $160 |
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| Estimated Total: | $2,246 |
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Career Opportunities
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Mechanical Designers
- Plant Designers
- Mechanical Drafters
- CAD Technicians
Career Information
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:
- Complete industry standard assembly drawings using 2d and 3d CAD.
- Complete industry standard part drawings using 2d and 3d CAD.
- Calculate mating part conditions to guarantee part fits.
- Define and apply proper design materials.
- Define and apply proper standard part vendors.
- 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 short years or less.
Instructors
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Tyler Litscher
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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.