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 hands-on computer-aided drafting course, participants will be introduced to AutoCAD, which includes: basic drawing and editing commands, coordinate entry methods, object snap techniques, display manipulation, automatic editing, text manipulation, prototype drawings, scaling, layers, dimensioning and tolerancing, groups and blocks, and printing. Students are required to bring a flash drive to class.

  • Dates: September 2, 2025 - September 30, 2025
  • Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 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.
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3D with SolidWorks – CSE 5451

In this hands-on comuter-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.

  • Coming in Fall 2025
  • 6:30pm - 9:30pm
  • Live instruction via Zoom
  • $925