Discover the Engineering Design Technology Program at New River Community College

New River Community College’s Engineering Design Technology (EDT) program stands out as a nationally recognized gateway into the world of design, drafting, modeling, and advanced manufacturing. Accredited and lauded by the American Drafting and Design Association (ADDA) as one of the top two-year design programs in the country, NRCC’s EDT offers a rich, hands-on education that prepares students for real-world engineering and design careers.

A Range of Flexible Credentials

Whether you’re looking to enter the design workforce quickly or build toward advanced technical roles, the EDT program offers multiple options:

• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Engineering Design Technology — a full 4-semester (65-credit) degree, ideal for students seeking comprehensive training for a career or eventual transfer.
• Career Studies Certificates (CSC) — shorter, focused credentials (as few as two semesters) including certificates in Engineering Design Technology, Engineering Design Fundamentals I & II, Practical Electronics Technician I & II, and even a certificate in Unmanned Systems (UAS). These provide a quicker path to entry-level positions or supplemental skills.

This flexibility allows students to tailor education to their needs — whether they aim for immediate employment or wish to build toward a longer-term technical career.

Cutting-Edge Tools, Software & Labs

NRCC’s EDT program offers serious, professional-grade resources:

• A fully equipped 1,450-square-foot Engineering Design Lab with tiltable workstations, dual 30″ curved-panel monitors.
• Extensive additive manufacturing capabilities: 20 state of the art 3D printers (from MakerBot to Bambu to Ultimaker and large format Createbot), , a large-format laser engraver/cutter, and handheld 3D scanners.
• A robust software suite — industry-standard tools including AutoCAD, Inventor, Fusion 360, Revit (Architecture & Structure), CREO (Pro-E), SpaceClaim, KeyShot, SketchUp, and visualization tools such as Adobe Creative Suite for rendering, animation, and presentation.

This means students are not just learning theory — they are gaining fluency in the same tools and workflows used by modern design, manufacturing, and engineering firms.

• In Addition, the EDT program has 1,000 square foot DIY lab that houses 20 3D printers of different types, multiple laser engravers/cutters that read various file formats, FAA-approved flight simulator, and an international driving simulator manufactured by IPG.

Recognition and Real-World Validation

NRCC’s EDT program has earned national recognition. The ADDA’s acknowledgement is significant — placing the program among the top in the country.

Moreover, NRCC design teams have competed in international design competitions. For example, the class of 2015 submitted a 50-plus page engineering/design report and a proof-of-concept model in an industry-level competition for the American Helicopter Society International (AHS). NRCC was the first two-year college ever accepted — and came in as Runner-Up behind major engineering schools such as Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Maryland, College Park.

That kind of achievement signals that NRCC is not just teaching CAD — they are producing designs that stand up to global competition against top-tier engineering institutions.

Affordable, Accessible, and Transfer-Friendly

As part of the broader Virginia Community College System, NRCC provides a cost-effective way to get highly technical design training. The EDT program is also listed among the state’s “G3-eligible” programs — meaning qualified Virginia residents may access tuition assistance under the G3 initiative.

Additionally, the program’s structure offers flexibility: whether you want a full AAS degree or a shorter certificate to quickly qualify for CAD and technician jobs — there’s a pathway that fits different needs, schedules, and goals.

Why NRCC’s EDT Program Is a Smart Choice

• Nationally recognized by industry organizations (ADDA) as among the top two-year design programs.
• Hands-on, real-world training — using industry-grade tools, software, and lab environments.
• Diverse career opportunities — from CAD drafting to additive manufacturing, mechanical design, UAV/UGV design, reverse engineering, and beyond.
• Proven track record — student projects have drawn attention from major defense and manufacturing firms, and even competed successfully at the international level.
• Affordability and flexibility — accessible through tuition assistance, with multiple credential options depending on your goals.