About the Program
Penn State's 2D/3D CAD Certificate was created by individuals with years of experience in AutoCAD and SolidWorks. The two courses are designed for architects, drafters, engineers, technicians, or anyone desiring formal training in computer-aided design.
Certificate Requirements
To receive the 2D/3D CAD Certificate, participants must successfully complete the two required courses, maintain at least a "C" average, and pass a final project/examination given during the last session of each course.
Career Potential
AutoCad and SolidWorks are commonly requested skills throughout Reading, PA, specifically in manufacturing companies. While a portion of the positions require an Engineering Bachelor’s degree plus AutoCad and/or SolidWorks; other positions including Drafter, Engineering Technician and Commercial and Industrial Designers are also needed.
Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool.
Course Offerings
AutoCAD 2D – CSE 5450
In this 36-hr. hands-on computer-aided design course, participants will be provided with an introduction to display commands, CAD tools, basic draw commands, basic edit commands, layers, CAD construction techniques, creating text, block and drawing import options, dimensions, crosshatching, grips, introduction to layouts, and plotting basics. Participants will acquire the fundamental skills necessary for the development of mechanical, architectural, and/or civil drawings using AutoCAD.
AutoCAD Course Overview:
- The AutoCAD environment
- Introduction to drawing
- Making changes to AutoCAD objects
- Layers
- Annotation using AutoCAD
- Layouts
- Dimensions
- Hatch objects
- Reusable AutoCAD content
- Additional drawing objects
- Plotting a drawing
- Template drawings
Course Textbook to be purchased by student: AutoCAD 2025: Essentials (Mixed Units) ISBN-101962037231 or ISBN-13 978-1962037235
Registration Information:
- Dates: April 2, 2026 - April 30, 2026
- Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Online Instructor-led training via Zoom
- Cost: $925
- NOTE: This course can be part of the 2D/3D Certificate Program or a stand-alone course.
Register online
3D with SolidWorks – CSE 5451
In this hands-on computer-aided drafting course, participants will be introduced to SolidWorks, which includes parametric modeling, solid geometry concepts, feature design tree, geometric relations and construction tools, the BORN construction technique, part drawings and associate functionality, reference geometry and auxiliary views, symmetrical features in design, assembly modeling, and more. As a result of having taken this class, students will have begun preparation to take the Certified SolidWorks Associate exam.
Registration Information:
- Dates: Mondays, September 29 - December 15, 2025
- Time: Review prerecorded lecture from 6:30-7:30pm (or whenever is convenient for you prior to class). Live instructor-led training from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Delivery: Online Instructor-led training via Zoom
- Cost: $925
- NOTE: This course can be part of the 2D/3D Certificate Program or a stand-alone course.
Register online
