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Instructors design CAD certificates to teach the technical skills and knowledge needed to help design and visualize engineering and architecture projects. As a CAD student, you'll receive lessons on one or more specialty software packages, three-dimensional design, and parametric modeling. Programs may be 18-30 credit hours long and typically last two terms, which can take 9-12 months.

There are two main types of CAD programs:

As a computer-based discipline, CAD translates well to online learning. Most courses are asynchronous, without set class times. You sign in to a learning management system at your convenience to view recorded lectures, complete CAD software assignments, and take tests.

Admission Requirements

Vocational or trade schools and community colleges usually offer undergraduate CAD certificates. These institutions often have open admissions that require little more than official high school or GED transcripts. You may need to take a technology or mathematics aptitude test, and the school might ask for letters of recommendation from teachers.

Graduate certificates are more common at four-year colleges or universities, which typically have stricter admission standards. However, the requirements for graduate certificates are lower than for master's degrees or doctoral programs. You'll submit official bachelor's degree transcripts showing your undergraduate studies in a relevant field. Beyond this, you may need letters of recommendation and a personal statement, but this is at the discretion of the program administrators.

A CAD certificate's worth differs depending on your educational and work experience. An undergraduate certificate might not be worth the investment, especially given the decline of drafting as a separate profession. But professionals who use drafting in their work are perfectly placed to learn these skills in a graduate certificate program and make themselves more marketable to employers.

Potential Benefits

Potential Drawbacks