Engineering Design Technology Certificate and AAS (no longer accepting new students)
Welcome to the Program Page dedicated to the Engineering Design Technology Certificate and AAS program! This page is designed to give an overview of your pathway based on your starting quarter. Click on one of the desired tabs below to view the course schedule. This information may be subject to change at any time without notice. Please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses.
Bookstore Information
Information regarding the materials can be found at the RTC bookstore
Links to an external site.. Just fill in the course information and you will be set!
The bookstore has what you need in regards to materials so be sure to check it out! It is always better to be prepared than to wait last second to buy your materials!
General Overview
As of Spring 2025 we are no longer accepting new students into the Engineering Design Technology program.
How long is the program?
- 3 quarters (9 months) with 47 credits for the certificate
- 6 quarters (up tp 20 months) with 90 credits for the AAS degree
When do classes meet? Class times are different each quarter, but you should be available Monday through Thursday between 8 A.M. and 2:45 P.M.
Are summer classes required? No! There are no summer classes for this program.
You will learn entry-level skills for jobs in architectural and structural drafting, with a focus on the construction and aerospace industries. You start with board techniques (drawing by hand) and then move to computer-aided design and the software used in industry: AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, and SolidWorks. Graduates often find work as CAD drafters and technicians, and many jobs do require an associate degree.
What does a drafter do?
What is the average salary?
$62,280 annually Links to an external site. in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most architectural and civil drafters earn at least $50,000; there is a wide salary range.
Who can I contact with questions?
- New students, please visit our Zoom lobby (Links to an external site.) to talk with someone by video chat, or e-mail our advising department.
- For current students, please visit RTC's advising page (Links to an external site and look for the faculty counselor assigned to Engineering Design Technology.
Overall Materials Needed:
- Access to a functioning laptop or computer (you may use computers on the RTC campus)
- Working internet connection
- Textbooks and software ($390 plus cost of DFT 101 toolkit)
- USB drive or external hard drive, at least 500GB ($50)
- TI 36X calculator ($25)
Minimum GPA or grades to graduate
You need to earn a 2.0 in each class to finish your Engineering Design Technology certificate or degree.
Materials Warning
Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class. If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!
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