Best Online CAD Certificate Programs

CAD skills can prepare candidates for many professional opportunities, including 3D modeling, architectural drawing, and animation.

Skilled artists interested in turning their talents into architecture or civil engineering careers can benefit from computer-aided design (CAD) certificates. CAD professionals use computer software to visualize designs for buildings, products, and machines. Drafters use CAD to create digital models that follow designers’ and architects’ specifications.

The quickest path to becoming a full-time drafter, technician, or animator is by earning a CAD certificate online from an accredited school. CAD-related careers have not diminished due to the COVID-19 epidemic, as work occurs primarily in a digital environment and can be done remotely.

Read on for information on how to get the most out of an online CAD certificate, along with available professional pathways for graduates.

Online certificate in design programs prepare learners for careers working with CAD technology. Enrollees learn to use CAD industry-standard software to create 2D and 3D models and related documentation — essential skills for architectural and civil drafters. Earning certificates also prepares individuals to pursue professional credentials in drafting or design.

Online CAD certificates can help students kick-start careers in drafting before going on to earn their degrees. A graduate can expect to transition directly into an entry-level position as a drafter or specialized technician.

Aspiring enrollees should know the differences between CAD certificates and associate degrees in CAD before committing to their programs. A certificate program’s coursework focuses entirely on preparing the learner for a career working with CAD. An associate degree covers CAD fundamentals and electives, but also includes general education coursework. A CAD certificate takes two semesters to earn, while an associate usually takes two years.

An associate degree offers more customizable learning tracks and can lead to employment as an architectural manager or senior drafter.

Most people with CAD certificates pursue careers as drafters or designers in architecture, civil engineering, and manufacturing. However, the skills developed by this certificate can also apply to other fields, including industrial engineering and animation.

The following section explores common career paths for students with certificates in design.

Architectural and civil drafters prepare detailed drawings and plans for architectural structures and products, according to specifications from architects and designers. A certificate in design is generally the minimum requirement for this work, as the job requires familiarity with using CAD software and systems for 2D and 3D documentation modeling. Learners who want to work as architectural drafters and civil drafters must complete coursework in architectural drawing and building code foundations.

Animators create video imagery for various forms of media, including film, commercials, and video games. A CAD certificate can lead to a career in this field because it familiarizes you with the tools used to create 2D and 3D imagery on a computer. For instance, the skills you gain from taking courses in modeling, rendering, and animating for presentations and 3D modeling techniques also apply to industry tools for 3D animation, such as Unity.

These engineers make new maps of the Earth’s surface, modify existing maps, and collect field data to help make mapping more accurate. A certificate in design can give you a competitive edge in this field, as it will familiarize you with CAD software used in computerized mapping. Future mapping technicians usually take coursework in advanced 3D modeling techniques and math for computer-aided design.

When choosing an online CAD certificate program, it’s best to consider accreditation, cost, and curriculum. Learn more about how to choose an online program with the following links.

Always research accreditation status for any prospective academic program before applying. Accreditation ensures that programs and schools meet educational standards, and attending an accredited school means you will be able to transfer credits and qualify for employment later.

It’s best to attend programs from schools that hold regional accreditation. For vocational schools that are nationally accredited, check whether they have earned an endorsement from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges or the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training. If not, the program might not be legitimate.

The typical CAD certificate curriculum covers the fundamentals for using industry-standard software for architecture, manufacturing, and mechanical engineering. Enrollees explore coursework in mechanisms, building codes, and manufacturing methods. Below are a few commonly included courses.

It typically takes one year to earn a CAD certificate. This can depend, however, on your course load and school. Some programs offer an accelerated track that may only take a few months or even a single semester to earn. Other schools might require you to take courses in a precise sequence with a regular course load and might not allow you to finish your certificate at an accelerated pace.

Earning a certificate prepares you to apply for a professional CAD certification, such as the certified drafter credential from the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA). To apply, you usually need around 1,000 hours of practical education (which your CAD certificate typically covers) or work experience. You then take an exam and pay a fee.

You can renew your CAD certification, which remains valid for around five years, by retesting or documenting consistent employment in the field.

The field of drafting and design encompasses many diverse careers. Most students with CAD certificates or degrees pursue careers as drafters, designers, or specialized technicians in architecture, civil engineering, and manufacturing. However, a CAD degree is a versatile credential that can open up careers beyond these industries.

Below are a few of the most common careers for students with CAD degrees, along with each career’s median salary and projected employment growth rate.

You can become professionally CAD-certified by earning a certificate from an accredited school and then applying for a professional credential in your area of interest. There are several CAD-related certification options to pursue.

It usually takes two semesters or one year to earn a CAD certificate, depending on whether a program offers accelerated or part-time options.

Entry-level CAD jobs in drafting have seen slower growth in recent years, but industrial engineering technicians and civil engineering technicians still have positive employment projections. However, many employers now expect architects and designers to have CAD skills, so CAD skills remain in demand.

Header Image Credit: Klaus Vedfelt | Getty Images