The Advanced Design & Manufacturing program at Northeast Alabama Community College prepares students for high-demand careers in modern manufacturing, digital design, and production technology. Located in our new Workforce Development Skills Training Center, this program blends computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), additive manufacturing, and quality systems into one integrated, hands-on learning experience.

Students gain the technical skills needed to move from concept to finished product using the same technologies found in today’s advanced manufacturing facilities.

Graduates of the ADM program can interpret technical drawings of mechanical parts and assemblies, utilize 2D drafting and 3D modeling software to design parts and produce technical drawings, perform quality checks using advanced precision measurement tools, and employ reverse engineering methods and additive manufacturing concepts to produce scaled prototypes and finished goods.

The curriculum includes opportunities to acquire several nationally recognized credentials and software-specific certifications. 

Why Choose Advanced Design & Manufacturing at NACC?

✔ State-of-the-art Workforce Development Skills Training Center
✔ Hands-on CAD/CAM and 3D printing labs
✔ Real-world production and quality control training
✔ Industry-aligned curriculum
✔ Strong employer partnerships

Advanced Design and Manufacturing Degree Option

• ​ Drafting & Design - 2D & 3D CAD software, industry-standard technical drawings
• Quality Control & Inspection - manual & CMM measurement, first article inspection reports
• CAD/CAM - 3D modeling, MasterCAM software, CNC programming
• Manufacturing Design - engineering principles, material selection, industrial productivity
• Production Technician - manufacturing standards & practices, maintenance awareness
• Manufacturing Systems - advanced processes, green production, sustainability

What You’ll Learn

This program combines digital design, production processes, and manufacturing systems to prepare students for Industry 4.0 environments.

Students develop skills in:

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
• Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
• 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
• 3D Modeling and Prototyping
• Reverse Engineering Methods
• Drafting and Technical Design
• Manufacturing Systems and Production Flow
• Quality Control and Inspection Techniques
• Blueprint Reading and GD&T Fundamentals

Students learn how to take a product from digital design through fabrication, testing, and quality validation.

Hands-On Technology & Equipment

Students train using:

• Industry-standard CAD/CAM software
• Industrial-grade 3D printers
• Additive manufacturing systems
• Precision measurement and quality control tools
• CNC-integrated design-to-production workflows

The program emphasizes real-world applications, collaborative projects, and production-focused problem solving.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for careers such as:

• CAD Technician
• Manufacturing Design Technician
• Production Technician
• Additive Manufacturing Technician
• Quality Control Technician
• Manufacturing Systems Operator
• Prototype Development Technician

These careers support industries including advanced manufacturing, aerospace suppliers, automotive production, medical device manufacturing, and industrial fabrication.

Stackable Pathways

Students may enter through certificate programs and continue into an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree pathway. The program is structured to support both immediate workforce entry and long-term advancement opportunities.

Through collaboration with regional industry partners, NACC ensures that coursework reflects current employer needs and evolving manufacturing technologies.

General Education Core Requirements (Areas I-IV)

• ENGLISH ELECTIVE, 3 hrs: ENG 100 – Vocational Technical English or ENG 101 – English Composition I
• SPEECH ELECTIVE, 3 hrs: SPH 106 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication or SPH 107 – Public Speaking
• FINE ARTS ELECTIVE, 3 hrs:  Humanities & Fine Arts (see Catalog for details)
• MATH ELECTIVE, 3 hrs: MTH 116 – Mathematical Application or MTH 100 or higher
• SOCIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE, 3 hrs: History or Behavioral Science

Advanced Manufacturing Core (Area V)

• ADM 101, 3 hrs: Precision Measurements or INT 119 Principles of Mechanical Measures
• ADM 110, 3 hrs: Blueprint Reading
• ADM 107, 3 hrs: CAD Concepts
• ADM 114, 3 hrs: Design Innovation
• ADM 108, 3 hrs: Intro to 3D Modeling
• ADM 160, 3 hrs: Additive Manufacturing Production Techniques
• MDT Elective, 3 hrs: MDT 147 Inventor CAD or MDT 202 Solid Works CAD
• ADM 155, 3 hrs: Manufacturing Projects
• WKO 131, 3 hrs: MSSC Safety
• WKO 106, 3 hrs: Workplace Skills
• ADM 150,151,&152, 1 hr each: Technical Cooperative Education
• ADM 215, 3 hrs: Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing

Technical Competencies – Areas of Emphasis: Area V Elective Option

Area V Electives, 15 hrs: Courses vary – See Option Groups Listed Below

Drafting Option

• DDT 124, 3 hrs: Basic Technical Drawing
• MTT 218, 3 hrs: Computer Integrated Manufacturing
• MDT Elective 2, 3 hrs: Advanced Inverters or Solid Works
• DDT 220, 3 hrs: Advanced Technical Drawing
• Capstone, 3 hrs: Reverse Engineering (261) or Application of Design (255)

Quality Control Option

• ADM 106, 3 hrs: Quality Control Concepts
• ENT 221, 3 hrs: Industrial Quality & Productivity
• ENT 223, 3 hrs: Material Selection
• WKO 132, 3 hrs: MSSC Quality & Measurement
• Capstone, 3 hrs: Reverse Engineering (261) or Application of Design (255)

CAD/CAM Option

• MTT 140, 3 hrs: Basic CNC Turning Programming
• MTT 141, 3 hrs: Basic CNC Milling Programming
• MTT 212, 3 hrs: Advanced CNC Turning
• MTT 213, 3 hrs: Advanced CNC Milling
• Capstone, 3 hrs: Application of Design (255)

Manufacturing Design Option

• ENT 106, 3 hrs: Principles of Engineering Tech.
• ENT 221, 3 hrs: Industrial Quality & Productivity
• ENT 223, 3 hrs: Material Selection
• MDT Elective 2, 3 hrs: Advanced Inverters or Solid Works
• Capstone, 3 hrs: Reverse Engineering (261) or Application of Design (255)

Production Tech Option

• WKO 132, 3 hrs: MSSC Quality Control & Measurements
• WKO 133, 3 hrs: MSSC Processes & Production
• WKO 134, 3 hrs: MSSC Maintenance
• Elective 1, 3 hrs: Advisor-Approved Elective
• Elective 2, 3 hrs: Advisor-Approved Elective

Manufacturing Systems Option

• ADM 295, 3 hrs: MSSC Green Production
• ENT 220, 3 hrs: Process Technology Systems
• ENT 221, 3 hrs: Ind. Quality & Productivity
• ADM 277, 3 hrs: Energy Sources & Sustainability
• ADM 284, 3 hrs: Advanced Process/Emerging Energy

Students who complete the AAS Degree in Advanced Design and Manufacturing will need 69 credit hours.

We also offer Certificate and Short-term Certificate Options

• Certificate, ADM - Additive Manufacturing Option
• Certificate, ADM - CAD/CAM Option
• Certificate, ADM - CADD Option
• Certificate, ADM - Manufacturing Systems Option
• Certificate, ADM - Production Technician Option
• Certificate, ADM - Quality Control & Inspection Option
• Certificate, ADM - Technical Drawing Option
• Short-Term Certificate, ADM - 3D Modeling Option
• Short-Term Certificate, ADM - Additive Manufacturing Option
• Short-Term Certificate, ADM - CAD/CAM Option
• Short-Term Certificate, ADM - CADD Option
• Short-Term Certificate, ADM - Manufacturing Design Option
• Short-Term Certificate, ADM - Technical Drawing Option

At Northeast Alabama Community College, all career and technical education opportunities will be offered without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. 

At Northeast Alabama Community College, the lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.