Engineering Design Technology

Diploma

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The Engineering Design Technology program will provide you with both a theoretical and practical education that will serve as the foundation for a career as an engineering designer.

This program could be a great fit for you if you:

  • Demonstrate a high attention to detail
  • Have good math and physics skills
  • Enjoy working with computers
  • Enjoy working in an office environment

Engineering Design Technology presents a broad spectrum of engineering content, primarily focused on the fundamental principles of engineering design and computer applications common to a variety of engineering disciplines.

Upcoming Intakes

Select your preferred intake to see relevant program information. Program details, including tuition and course information, may vary by intake.

Selection Start Date Delivery Mode Time Campus Length Domestic Status International Status
Sep. 02, 2025 (Fall) In-person Weekdays - Daytime Main 2 Years (Full-time) Open Open
 
             
 

Swipe table to view more information for each intake.

Delivery Mode

  • In-person - All your class activity will be delivered in person, on campus.
  • Online - All your class activity will be delivered online.
  • Hybrid - Your classes will be a mixture of in person and online learning. You must be able to come to campus and participate remotely online.
  • Your choice - Your program offers a variety of class delivery options (in person, online, or a mixture of both) and you can select which type of classes to take. If you wish, you can complete your entire program either in-person or online.
  • HyFlex - All your classes are delivered for simultaneous participation in person and online. You can choose daily to attend your classes in person or join remotely online.

Time

  • Your choice - You can select class times and days that fit your schedule. There are a variety of class options for you to choose from including daytime, evening, weekdays or weekends.
  • No set time - No set class days or times, content is access on-demand. You can complete your studies on your own schedule within the scheduled class dates; may have set due dates and deadlines.
  • Evenings & Weekends - Classes are scheduled after 5 p.m. on weekdays or anytime on weekends.
  • Weekdays - Daytime - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start before 6 p.m.
  • Weekdays - Evening - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start after 6 p.m.
  • Weekends - Classes are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.

Campus

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at this campus location.

View Campus Map

Length

  • Full-Time - This is the standard length to complete the program, with a full course load per term.
  • Part-Time - Students follow a structured schedule of classes so they can progress in their studies part-time while balancing everyday life.

Domestic Status

The program availability status for domestic applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

International Status

The program availability status for international applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Limited - For international applicants, the program intake is now only available if you already have a valid study permit.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

Credit programs that accept international applicants also meet the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, including programs with a Hybrid delivery mode. Each student is responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

Develop engineering design and drafting skills

Through a number of classes specifically tailored to meet industry requirements, you'll develop strong physics and mathematical skills to apply toward creating engineering drawings and 3D models using the latest computer-aided design and drafting software.

You'll also have the opportunity to learn technical drafting concepts and skills using traditional drafting concepts and methods. Although manual drafting is no longer practiced in industry, these technical drafting concepts and standards are important in the learning process. Once you've worked through this introductory phase, you'll then become adept at using computers for both design and drafting, utilizing major CAD software packages. 

As an engineering designer, you will need intimate knowledge of both engineering design concepts and methods, and become familiar with engineering tools, services, systems and practices: 

Engineering Design

  • Prepare and interpret design and working drawings

  • Design and specify standard mechanical components
  • Design for Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
  • Design electrical control systems and instrumentation
  • Road design including curbs, sewers, and water mains
  • Land development and water management systems
  • Designs piping systems, tanks, and pressure vessels
  • Process equipment design and plant layout
  • Structural design including steel and reinforced concrete

Engineering Fundamentals

  • Technical mathematics, including calculus
  • Engineering sciences, including statics, strength of materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and electricity
  • CAD software such as AutoCAD and MicroStation
  • Field surveying, calculations and legal survey plans
  • Technical communications including formal report writing
  • Project management

Career Outcomes

The program boasts an exceptionally high graduate placement rate. Graduates report competitive salaries and opportunities for rapid career advancement. 

Job Opportunities

  • CAD Operator
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Engineering Designer
  • Estimator
  • Project Controller
  • Self-employed Contractor
  • Site Supervisor
  • Technical Salesperson

Industries

  • Engineering consulting
  • Design and construction
  • Technical sales/service
  • Fabrication
  • Manufacturing

Working Conditions

  • High attention to detail
  • Math and physics
  • Working with computers
  • Working in an office environment

Median Starting Salary

The expected starting salary for individuals with a(n) Engineering Design Technology Diploma is $43,680.
This salary information was based on graduate data from the past 3 years and reflects annual salaries for graduates who claimed they were working more than 30 hours per week. Graduates who quoted salaries below $10,000 and above $200,000 per year have been excluded. Note that NAIT publishes the median salary instead of the average to minimize the potential of outlying salaries distorting the mean. Data represented here may differ from other data sources due to differences in definition or differences in timing.

Grad Employment Rate

Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.

Download report

Take your career planning to the next level

This program can be used as a step toward earning higher credentials and/or certifications.

Further education at NAIT

Once you complete your credential, explore the programs below to specialize further or develop management skills.

Other Opportunities

While enrolled in the program, you'll be eligible for student membership in the following professional associations:

After graduation and required work experience, you may also be eligible for professional accreditation.

Post-secondary articulation agreements within Alberta are approved by the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT). To view the details of specific agreements, please visit transferalberta.ca or contact articulations@nait.ca For questions regarding transfer agreements or to obtain a course description/outline that is no longer available on our website, please contact articulations@nait.ca.

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 7 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of C in the course(s) or program

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Tuition & Fees

This content is specific to the selected Sep 03, 2024 intake.

The tuition and fee amounts are estimates based on current academic year's rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.

Tuition

Cost Per Credit: $162.00

View international tuition for upcoming intakes

How much does first year cost?
Domestic cost estimate
International cost estimate

Books, Supplies & Program Fees (est.)

Level 1 Term 1: $725
Level 1 Term 2: $575
Level 2 Term 1: $675
Level 2 Term 2: $825

View the technical equipment requirements (PDF)

Scholarships & Awards

NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!

Learn how to apply for awards

Admission Requirements

This content is specific to the selected Sep 03, 2024 intake.

Minimum entrance requirements

 

The specific academic requirements you must meet to be considered for admission. Where applicable, the minimum accepted Alberta high school courses are listed in round brackets ( ). Equivalent or higher-level courses are also accepted.

  • Grade 12 Language Arts (English 30-2)
  • Grade 12 Mathematics (Math 30-2)*
  • Grade 11 Physics (Physics 20) or Grade 12 Science (Science 30)*
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency

*See Recommended Courses for more information

Additional requirements & considerations

Alternative entrance pathways

 

If you are missing one or more of the minimum entrance requirements, you may be eligible for an alternative entrance pathway. For any pathway listed below, English language proficiency is also a requirement.

  • Successful completion of minimum 24 post-secondary credits or 8 post-secondary courses* within an accredited or recognized degree or diploma in a related field (engineering or engineering technology) with an Admission GPA of 2.0 based on the most recently completed 24 post-secondary credits.

*Please note that acceptance into the program does not guarantee transfer credits. Transfer credits evaluation will take place after the student is accepted into the program.

Note: Applicants who, prior to May 2019, either completed one of the following courses with a grade of C or higher or successfully completed all of the following courses with a minimum combined GPA of at least 2.0, may use it/them toward satisfying the current entrance requirements:

  • COMM 1163 can be used to meet the English requirement
  • MATH 1137 can be used to meet the Math requirement
  • STRC 1150 can be used to meet the Physics requirement

Recommended courses

 

The following course(s) are recommended, as they provide important background for your program's content. Recommended courses are not required for admission and will not affect your application.

  • Math 30-1
  • Physics 30

Not sure if you meet the requirements?

Learn more about how NAIT evaluates applications, and find resources on how to satisfy admissions criteria.

How applications are evaluated Submitting required documents

Additional options

This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in.

Learn more about Open Studies

Dates & Deadlines

 
International
Applications Open:

Aug 01, 2023

 
International
Applications Deadline:

Once the program is full

 
Domestic
Applications Open:

Oct 01, 2023
 
Application Deadline:
Once the program is full
 
Term Start Date:
Sep 03, 2024

Seats are limited - Apply early! Applications will remain open for at least one month from the open date. If the program/waitlist fill after that date, applications will close.

International Applicants

This program accepts international students.

PGWP Eligibility: This program does not meet eligibility criteria for a Post-Grad Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) field of study requirement effective November 1, 2024. Students who applied for a study permit before Nov. 1, 2024, are not affected by the new field of study rule and may be eligible for a PGWP.

While graduates are currently ineligible to apply for a PGWP, NAIT still welcomes international students to this program to gain valuable knowledge and skills to pursue your career goals, whether in Canada under another type of permit or in your home country or other international markets.

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. If you are a current or recently admitted student you can find program and course information as well as contact details for your program on the My Program page on the MyNAIT Portal.








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