AutoCAD Certificates Boston, MA

AutoCAD stands for Autodesk’s (the company that developed the software) computer-aided design, which enables Designers, Architects, and Engineers to create 2D and 3D drawings. Several industries such as architecture, engineering, construction use AutoCAD in a variety of capacities. Drafters can apply skills with AutoCAD for designing accurate and detailed drawings. AutoCAD facilitates designing drawings and blueprints that can be used for creating structures, machines, and tools.

AutoCAD is commonly used for work in engineering, architecture, interior design, and 3D printing, helping to create models, blueprints to scale, and schematics. Engineers, Interior Designers, and Architects as well as all types of industries depend on AutoCAD for purposes that include project management, architectural designs, and engineering for 2D and 3D designs. Mainly, AutoCAD helps with increasing productivity and efficiency by providing consistency for more easily and reliably completing designs than with pen-and-paper drawing. This means Designers and design professionals can more readily demonstrate their work to any client seeking design services.

Why Become Certified in AutoCAD?

For anyone looking for work in Boston’s thriving tech sector, skills with AutoCAD can provide a powerful drafting tool for streamlining draft and design tasks. AutoCAD provides a valuable asset for anyone seeking a career in design or engineering. AutoCAD sets the industry-standard in computer-aided design software used around the world by Designers, Engineers, and Architects in industries like architecture, interior design, and drafting as well as materials engineering, electrical engineering, and civil engineering. AutoCAD can be used for designing everything from drinking cups to military weapons in detail and to scale.

AutoCAD is considered the industry-standard software for CAD and drafting, enabling Designers, Engineers, and Drafters to create, edit, or collaborate using desktop computers, the internet, the cloud, or other platforms to produce detailed 2D and 3D drawings and models, electrical diagrams, construction drawings, and interior designs. Certification in AutoCAD can give Engineers, Designers, or Architects an edge over competitors vying for the same position. Skills with AutoCAD not only help with finding work but can also be used in hobbies such as designing furniture or 3D printing, turning ideas into tangible objects. At the very least, having certificate training or certification in AutoCAD on a resume should impress any potential employers or clients.

AutoCAD equips professionals with skills applicable across various industries. AutoCAD is a popular design tool for working in interior design, project management, manufacturing, architecture, and engineering.

What You’ll Learn While Becoming AutoCAD Certified

AutoCAD is an essential tool for Designers, Engineers, Architects, and other design-related professionals for skills with finding work in several industries. AutoCAD provides a versatile software that helps in designing, prototyping, and animating. AutoCAD is the industry-standard software for computer-aided design. Developing skills with AutoCAD can lead to finding careers in architecture, engineering, drafting, and design. Here are a few skills related to finding work with training in AutoCAD:

Drafting

Drafting with AutoCAD involves creating drawings and technical models for building designs, plans, and blueprints. Drafts can be used by construction teams, Architects, and Engineers as well as a variety of other professionals who design blueprints destined to be developed into buildings and other physical objects. AutoCAD can be used in drafting for converting designs used in architecture and engineering into technically sound drawings and blueprints. The drawings and blueprints developed with AutoCAD can be used to create concepts as varied as buildings, automobiles, or tools.

Design

Designers use AutoCAD for creating 2D and 3D models that produce detailed images used for interior design that includes color schemes, spacing, or furniture placement. AutoCAD helps Designers create accurate drawings and designs that get constructed or distributed. Industrial Designers use AutoCAD to design products ranging from children’s toys to cars. AutoCAD helps Designers see how a product might look or function in the real-world along with helping to figure out how that product can better attract customers as well as designing prototypes for testing functionality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering

Engineers use AutoCAD for design and specifications on various projects, including motor engines, elevators, bridges, roads, and electrical grids. AutoCAD allows Engineers to prototype for testing how a design might perform in its real-world operation. Aerospace Engineers and Aviation Designers, for example, use AutoCAD for designing aircraft parts as well as for conducting simulations. Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Civil Engineers, and Industrial Engineers use AutoCAD in several capacities for developing, building, and testing designs.

Architecture

AutoCAD is a popular tool used in architecture. Architects use AutoCAD to create floor plans and 3D designs in blueprints for office buildings, residential homes, and landscapes. AutoCAD facilitates creating realistic 3D models, giving Architects insights into design surfaces and shapes for structures. This can help with designing buildings for being able to see a design from several angles as well as for calculating load levels with support structures.

Motion Graphics

CAD Designers use motion graphics for a variety of functions. Motion graphics is an area of graphic design that involves developing animated digital graphics to use in webpage layouts, web applications, movies, TV shows, or online content. For example, Designers can use AutoCAD to create motion graphics to put in explainer videos, which are short visual narratives used for explaining a concept to audiences, customers, or clients more directly.

AutoCAD Industries in Boston

Boston is among the most established cities in the United States for research and development related to computer technology, especially with nearby Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT helping to create a fertile environment that facilitates advanced methods for design and development that individuals with knowledge and experience for working with AutoCAD can take advantage of. This includes finding training to learn AutoCAD that can be especially beneficial for finding work in design, architecture, and engineering.

Boston’s job growth has outpaced the national average and is expected to continue. Top industries for finding work as Designers and Engineers include biotech, construction, healthcare, transportation, and utilities as well as government agencies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for Architects projects to grow by five percent, which is the same for Materials Engineers, but around two percent for Industrial Designers between 2022 and 2032. Boston provides a wide range of opportunities for job seekers with an unemployment rate that sits below the national average despite being a densely populated and competitive city.

Boston’s proximity within hours driving distance to other major North American cities like New York City, Montreal, Providence, and Newark provide a good location for access to companies and people associated with a variety of industries. Boston itself has organizations that specialize in design technology, biotech, and construction. Each of these industries provides opportunities for working with AutoCAD for careers in designing, drafting, and prototyping. Boston offers plenty of options for Designers, Architects, and Engineers. For example, Engineers can join the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (BSCES) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

AutoCAD Careers in Boston

Due to the inherent versatility of technology, skills with AutoCAD can provide a variety of career options in a city like Boston. AutoCAD can help in guiding anyone through a path to a new career, including becoming a CAD Designer, which can earn a person an annual income ranging from $88,000 to $127,000. Materials Engineers with a background in AutoCAD can make between $101,000 and $149,000 a year living in Boston.

AutoCAD skills can lead to a career as an Interior Designer, with annual salaries ranging from approximately $70,000 to $125,000. Architects working in Boston can make between $158,000 and $204,000 a year.

Should You Pursue a Certificate or Certification

Anyone thinking about training in AutoCAD might want to consider enrolling in a certificate program or getting certification in the software. To be clear, certificate programs and certifications are not the same things. Certificate programs provide hands-on training in AutoCAD that give prospective Designers, Engineers, and Architects skills for using the application. Education providers like Noble Desktop offer a variety of AutoCAD-related courses and programs, including the AutoCAD Bootcamp that can train you in the fundamentals for technical drawing along with advanced skills for creating 2D drawings.

By contrast, achieving certification requires passing an exam administered by an industry-recognized organization. Anyone considering certification in AutoCAD can do so through Autodesk, which offers several paths to certification contingent on a person's career ambitions. Autodesk has four levels of certification beginning with Autodesk Certified User (ACU), which verifies that a person possesses entry-level skills for using AutoCAD software. The Autodesk Certified Associate (ACA) certifies that a candidate has a higher level of knowledge in AutoCAD along with being ready to get right to work using the software. The Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) confirms an individual’s skills in AutoCAD, including capabilities for solving complex problems with workflow and design related to the software. Finally, Autodesk Certified Experts (ACE) represents the top level of certification with AutoCAD designed for experienced professionals who demonstrate in-depth knowledge and abilities with the software. While certificate programs and certifications are not the same, enrolling for certificate training may help with preparing for certification exams.

Top AutoCAD Certificate Programs in Boston

While many people living in Boston who are considering training in AutoCAD might prefer learning face-to-face inside a classroom with an instructor standing in front of them, others may opt for enrolling in live online courses as an alternative for learning the software. In-person classes allow for personal interaction as well as being shielded from the distractions of the outside world. On the other hand, live online courses allow students to learn from home with the same level of training that they would get from sitting inside a classroom. Learning AutoCAD can open paths to several careers. AutoCAD is an essential tool for finding work as Designers, Engineers, and Architects as well as other professions. AutoCAD offers a versatile tool for helping with designing, prototyping, and animating material for a variety of industries. AutoCAD is the industry-standard software for computer-aided design. Developing skills with AutoCAD can lead to finding careers in architecture, engineering, drafting, or design. Here are a few courses that can help with training related to AutoCAD or AutoCAD certification:

Bunker Hill Community College: AutoCAD Certification Training

250 New Rutherford Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02129

This certification course provides students with comprehensive training for working with AutoCAD. Training begins with the basics before moving on to learning how to design, create, and construct documents related to work in a variety of industries. Lessons focus on workflow that prepares students for passing the Autodesk AutoCAD User certification exam.

Students will learn from working on real-world projects to gain skill for developing high-quality construction documents along with knowledge for facilitating state-of-the-art professional workflows. Upon completing this certificate program, students will possess knowledge that can help them pass the Autodesk AutoCAD User certification exam.

Participants must take this course using PCs. Macs and Chromebooks are not compatible for training.

This 140-hour certificate program costs $2,995.

NobleProg: Advanced AutoCAD Training Course

101 Federal Street, Suite 1900, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

This course provides training in AutoCAD, which is an application used for computer-aided design and drafting. Training in AutoCAD provides users with skills for creating precise 2D models in architecture, manufacturing, and engineering. Lessons focus on how to apply fundamental techniques for enhancing drawing performance as well as handling regenerations efficiently.

Upon completing this course, students will be able to create large drawings as well as implementing strategies for efficient file organization.

This four-day course costs $2,342 for in-person classes or $1,707 for live online training.

Ledet Training: Autodesk AutoCAD 301 Advanced

This course can be taken live online from anywhere in the world.

This course trains participants in advanced AutoCAD techniques along with best practices related to becoming proficient with the software. Training emphasizes how to increase efficiency with automating aspects of workflow for improving processes using AutoCAD in a variety of capacities. Lessons begin with training on basic techniques for enabling users to create and edit drawings. Through this course, students will develop skills for handling specialized drawing tools.

Upon completing this course, students will understand AutoCAD for working with layers, filters, and plugins as well as knowledge in automated CAD standards. Training from this course can also help students with preparing for the Autodesk AutoCAD Certified Professional (ACP) exam.

This three-day program costs $1,799.

Certstaffix Training: AutoCAD—Advanced Course

This live online course can be taken from anywhere.

This course introduces students to advanced techniques for learning AutoCAD. Training focuses on creating 3D models, output and publishing, and CAD standards. Lessons include completing a solid model design as well as converting 2D objects into 3D objects.

Upon completing this course, students will possess a thorough understanding of AutoCAD standards and procedures that can be combined with experience from working with the design software for attempting to pass an Autodesk AutoCAD certification exam.

This live online three-day course costs $1,730.

Business Computer Skills: AutoCAD 3D Drawing and Modeling

This course can be taken live online from anywhere.

This course introduces participants who feel comfortable with 2D commands for AutoCAD software and would like to learn methods for 3D modeling using the software. Lessons will emphasize the fundamentals of 3D along with exploring features of advanced 3D modeling workspace with AutoCAD. Students will learn about setting up drawings for 3D prints as well as creating sections, camera perspectives, and animations.

Upon completing this program, students will know how to create 2D drawings from 3D models, modify objects in 3D space, work with point clouds, and convert 3D objects.

Students must have a strong working background with AutoCAD software that includes about 80 hours of work experience with the application.

The three-day live online course costs $1,495.

ONLC Training Centers: AutoCAD Certification Bundles

Ten Post Office Square, 8th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02109

Professionals interested in pursuing certification in AutoCAD for improving career options in today’s competitive tech job market can enroll with ONLC Training Centers, which offers three levels of Certification Bundles: ACU Novice, ACU Standard, and ACP (Advanced Level). Specifically, the Advanced Level Bundle provides training for the Autodesk Certified Professional (APC) exam. The ACP Bundle covers ONLC Training’s AutoCAD Level 1: Essentials, AutoCAD Level 2: Intermediate, and AutoCAD Level 3: Advanced courses that prepare students with professional level training that includes possessing knowledge to pass the appropriate Autodesk authorized AutoCAD certification exams.

These bundles can be taken as Instructor-Led Training (ILT) (synchronous) courses or On-Demand (asynchronous) courses.

It should be noted that ONLC courses are taught using remote instructors who are not in the same room as their students during the class but teach these courses live online with participants having the option of using ONLC’s up-to-date computer labs.

The ACP Bundle, for example, can be taken as an ILT-only program for $3,195, an On-Demand-only program for $1,195, or an ILT and On-Demand combo for $3,995.

Noble Desktop: AutoCAD Bootcamp

185 Madison Avenue, Third Floor, New York, New York 10016

This course can be taken inside Manhattan classrooms or live online from anywhere in the world.

This bootcamp will teach you about the fundamentals of technical drawing for skills to create 2D drawing using AutoCAD. Training covers basic AutoCAD functions well as advanced drafting techniques. Lessons start with the beginner-level AutoCAD class where you will learn about basic drawing and modifying techniques for drafting and technical drawing along with how to use AutoCAD for creating drawings to build real objects for mechanical and architectural projects.

The intermediate portion of the class teaches you about creating a basic 2D drawing using AutoCAD software, starting with the basic tools used for creating and editing simple drawings. Training introduces basic tools throughout the course.

This course has been designed for PC users. Mac users may enroll online but must be aware that the Mac AutoCAD interface differs from the PC interface, which will be the version used for training in this course.

This course offers additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class as well as an opportunity to retake the course for free within one year.

This 30-hour program costs $949.

Self-guided AutoCAD Programs

Students who are looking to make a career out of using AutoCAD might also be interested in their options for career focused, self-guided classes. These courses allow students to learn at their own pace (with guidance and assistance from a professional mentor) and they provide students with career-focused training and job placement support. While many students find it desirable to learn from a live instructor, these self-paced classes are the perfect fit for self-motivated students looking to make a career out of their AutoCAD training.

AutoCAD Certificate Program

The Visual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) offers an immersive AutoCAD certificate program that aims to help students become career ready within only a few weeks of training. This program provides students with hands-on, job-focused training in the use of AutoCAD and the course is designed with new students in mind, meaning that you’ll move from your first construction draft to a capstone project to add to your professional portfolio over the course of the certificate program. This program also offers students the opportunity to take up to 80 hours of electives to help them specialize in subjects including Revit, SketchUp and Civil 3D Pro. With this option for specialization and the focus on career development training, this certificate program is an ideal entry point for aspiring designers, architects and engineers looking to learn how to use AutoCAD in a professional capacity.

AutoCAD Fundamentals

Students looking for an accelerated introduction to AutoCAD and computer-aided design generally may be interested in taking this introductory course offered by VDCI. Students will learn the basics of using AutoCAD and practical skills that they can bring back to their current jobs or use as the baseline for future CAD training (including some of the other advanced classes offered through VDCI). In this class, students will get live, hands-on instruction in the use of AutoCAD, including exercises in which they create drafting symbols, kitchens and bath fixtures, a floor plan, and deliverable file sheets. While you’ll need more training if you want to make a career out of your AutoCAD skills, this course is an excellent introduction to the kinds of projects that AutoCAD professionals will need to utilize.

AutoCAD Professional

If you have already taken the AutoCAD fundamentals program or you have experience with AutoCAD from another source, you may be interested in moving towards professional level training in this advanced AutoCAD program. In this program, students will learn how to create 2D designs for construction documents that meet all of the necessary and legal standards that they are expected to follow. This course offers practical skills training and is designed to ensure that experienced AutoCAD users are able to get the accelerated training that they need to start using the application in more complex professional capacities. This course is built to help students learn at their own pace and class scheduling is incredibly flexible for professionals looking to develop new skills while still working.