Engineering Design Technology

EDT graduates are professionally prepared CAD design technicians capable of making significant contributions to business and industry.

Design engineers can work on a wide variety of projects across different industries, including:

1. Consumer electronics: Design engineers can work on projects such as developing new smartphones, laptops, smartwatches, and other personal electronic devices.
2. Automotive design: Design engineers can work on projects to design and develop new cars, trucks, and other vehicles. They may be responsible for designing the exterior and interior of the vehicle, as well as its mechanical systems.
3. Aerospace: Design engineers can work on projects related to aircraft design and development. This can include designing new planes or improving existing ones, developing new propulsion systems, and designing aerospace components.
4. Medical devices: Design engineers can work on projects related to the development of medical devices such as prosthetics, implantable devices, and diagnostic tools.
5. Industrial equipment: Design engineers can work on projects related to the design and development of industrial equipment such as factory automation systems, robotic systems, and heavy machinery.
6. Architecture and construction: Design engineers can work on projects related to building design and construction. This can include designing new buildings, retrofitting existing ones, and developing new construction materials and techniques.

Many area industries, including manufacturing, engineering and mechanical companies, employ graduates as CAD Designers. Entry-level starting salaries range from $31,000 to $45,000 per year.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THE PROGRAM

Engineering Design Technology (EDT) students learn

• knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern tools of industrial CAD design
• the ability to apply up-to-date knowledge and adapt to emerging applications of engineering technology in order to solve technical problems
• how to conduct, analyze and interpret experiments, and apply the results to improve processes and products
• to generate specifications, and subsequently design a component, system, or process to meet the expectations of customers and employers
• professional engineering ethics and the contemporary issues where they apply

The associate degree offered through the Engineering Design Technology program at Greenville Technical College is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org. This accreditation gives associate degree programs quality certification and recognition on a national basis. In order to achieve accreditation, the programs must have established a continuous quality improvement process that is documented and must be working to make the programs better for each of the stakeholders involved. For the Engineering Technology programs, the stakeholders are prospective students, current students, faculty, graduates, employers, and college administration. Each one of these parties has a keen interest in promoting the improved quality and outcomes of the program.

Greenville Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.

Questions about the accreditation of Greenville Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Engineering Design Technology Associate Degree 
Associate in Applied Science

This program trains students to transform design and engineering ideas into 2-D drawings, 3-D models and specifications using CAD software.

Engineering Design Technology details from our current catalog »

3D Design & Digital Manufacturing
Certificate in Applied Science

This certificate allows technicians in engineering and manufacturing to add new knowledge and skills in order to bridge the gap between 3D CAD design and the fabrication of products in the digital manufacturing environment, including subtractive and additive manufacturing, 3D printing, CNC programming, and metrology/CMM processes.

3D Design & Digital Manufacturing details from our current catalog »

3D Modeling CAD Design Certificate 
Certificate in Applied Science

This program provides students with a foundation of industrial 3D Solid Modeling CAD skills along with rapid prototyping, ensuring that graduates can contribute in the workplace as CAD design technicians. Students train in the use of SolidWorks and CATIA CAD software, which is used by local companies in the machine design, automotive and aerospace industries.

3D Modeling and CAD details from our current catalog »

Click the program below to view the ideal grouping of courses in order by semester. This plan assumes a full-time schedule. Note, however, that many variables can affect this plan, and not every course is offered every semester. Please see your advisor to map out your own personalized progression toward graduation.

Engineering Design Technology Associate Degree 
Associate in Applied Science

3D Design & Digital Manufacturing
Certificate in Applied Science

3D Modeling CAD Design Certificate 
Certificate in Applied Science

Graduates may continue their education at institutions offering Bachelor of Engineering Technology programs, such as the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology Management at USC Upstate.

Students interested in transferring should take University Transfer courses and meet with an advisor for assistance.

EDT MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Engineering Design Technology program is to provide the Upstate of South Carolina with professionally prepared entry-level CAD drafting and design technicians capable of making significant contributions to the progress of business and industry in the area.

An Engineering Design Technician applies state-of-the-art drafting and CAD skills, to assist in product or equipment design, and to produce 2D drawings and/or 3D models to support their manufacture.

EDT PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

1. Graduates of the EDT program at Greenville Technical College will achieve employment in their field of study or continue their education.
2. EDT graduates will be competent practitioners of their profession such that they can meet or exceed the performance expectations of their employers.
3. EDT graduates will be equipped to adapt to updates in CAD & design technology by a commitment to both professional ethics and life-long learning.

EDT STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. PROFESSIONALISM: Degree and Certificate students will demonstrate professionalism by working with limited supervision, contributing as part of a diverse team, with a sense of punctuality and timeliness, while respecting the organizational structure with the associated responsibilities.
2. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION: Degree students will communicate effectively orally, written, and with computer-based presentation tools.
3. ENG. TECH. PRINCIPLES: Degree students will demonstrate the ability to apply basic engineering technology methods and manufacturing practices in order to assist in design and technical solutions.
4. DRAFTING & CAD: Degree and Certificate students will create technical engineering documentation that captures the concept and design intent of a product using manual drafting and/or state of the art CAD technology such that the product can be manufactured.
5. ASSIST DESIGN: Degree students will demonstrate competence in problem solving by researching and applying technical information, products, and services required to assist in project completion.
6. FIELD WORK: Degree and Certificate students will conduct off-site and shop floor work in a timely and professional manner, collecting appropriate data for project support, while following the appropriate safety practices that apply.

For program information for the Engineering Design Technology program including placement rates, graduation rates, and program demographics, see our Program Data report.

Academic Program Director
Owen Simpson | 864-250-8253 | Owen.Simpson@gvltec.edu

Administrative Assistant
Serena Chapman | 864-250-8345 | Serena.Chapman@gvltec.edu