Mechanical Drafting & Design A.A.S. /Diploma

Career Description
Mechanical drafting is a highly regarded career that offers competitive compensation to employees who work in companies of all sizes. Today’s drafters use computer software to create or edit drawings and 3D models. Drafters work in a variety of situations, sometimes alone and sometimes as a member of a team. The drafting career ladder may lead from entry-level work as a detailer, to a designer, and eventually to supervisory positions.

Program Information
In the Mechanical Drafting and Design Program, students have the option to complete a 60-credit Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree or a 44-credit Diploma. We also have a 26-credit Mechanical Design Certificate for those who already have a two- or four-year technical degree. All program options are web-based and/or classroom web-based.  We allow the students to complete the course content from any site that meets the computer, software and internet speed requirements at any time of the day.  The students are also welcomed to complete the online drafting coursework in the drafting lab during the scheduled class time.  Students in this program have the options to work at home, work on campus or a combination of both.  Students that are taking classes 100% on campus may use a Central Lakes College desktop during the scheduled lab times.

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon program completion students will be able to:

Demonstrate the proper use of third-angle projection per ANSI/ASME Y14.3 1994.
Demonstrate proper use of the conventional dimensioning skills in English and metric units listed below per ANSI/ASME Y14.5: Dimesion Placement, Dimension Rounding, Diametric & Radial Dimensioning, Linear Dimension Application, Limit Dimension Application, Bilateral & Unilateral Tolerance Applicaion, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing Application (GD&T in diploma and A.A.S. degree only).
Demonstrate the ability to create 3D parametric models, detail drawings & assembly drawings using popular industry software.

Special Program Requirements if Attending Remotely
Windows Operating System
17" Laptop Screen or 22" Desktop Screen
Remote Computer Speed - 2.0 or greater GHz Processor with 4GB RAM
Minimum Internet Speed - High speed, DSL or faster connection
Web camera
VLC Video Player
Earbuds
Flash drive for backing up
External Email account
Phone at workstation
Mozilla Firefox web browser (free download at www.mozilla.com)
Adobe Flash Player  and Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download at www.Adobe.com)
Quicktime Player (free download at www.Apple.com/quicktime)
Microsoft Windows Media Player (free download at www.microsoft.com)
Contact the CLC bookstore for additional software, books, etc.

Employment Opportunities
CLC places our drafting graduates in companies across the state of Minnesota. The Twin Cities area tends to offer jobs with the highest salaries.

Career Titles
Some common career titles for people in this field are drafter, designer and computer aided design (CAD) operator.

Mechanical Design, Certificate - Program Planning Form (pdf)

Mechanical Drafting & Design, Diploma - Program Planning Form (pdf)

Mechanical Drafting & Design, AAS - Program Planning Form (pdf)