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Drafting and Design Engineering fields are not as mainstream and popular as other engineering fields like civil, advanced manufacturing, and mechanical engineering. However, its importance cannot be overstated.
Drafting and design engineers are the minds behind translating conceptual ideas into tangible products and structures. It would be impossible to accurately maintain a specified budget or send the same message to several bidders for a project without drafting and design.
Master’s in Drafting and Design Engineering degree programs explore newer technology and trends in designing and constructing 3D models. This type of program is versatile and diverse, accepting professionals with an advanced academic background in Architecture, Space Planning, and other relevant fields.
Program Overview
| School | Program | Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Standout Program Feature/s |
| Harvard University | Master in Design Engineering | $59,488 per year | 17% | Offers unique and evolving studio topics |
| Rhode Island School of Design | Master of Arts in Design Engineering | $7,584 per course | 19% | Gives students access to various RISD and Brown assets |
| University of Michigan | Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering + Design | – $27,524 total (in-state) – $55,052 total (out-of-state) | 68% | – Offers a hybrid learning format – Grants students with an Associate Systems Engineering Professional certificate |
| University of California – Los Angeles | Master of Science in Engineering-Manufacturing and Design | – $18,136 annually (resident) – $33,238 annually (non-resident) | 80% | – Delivered online – Allows students to take on other engineering elective courses on top of manufacturing and design concepts |
| Northwestern University | Master of Science in Engineering Design Innovation | $21,550 per quarter | 55% | Allows students to explore various topics on design, management, and communication through elective courses |
5 Best Master’s in Drafting and Design Engineering
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
| Tuition | $59,488 per year |
| Credit Hour | 30 |
The Master in Design Engineering offered by Harvard University is a very competitive program that collaborates between the Graduate School of Design and the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The MDE program prepares students to tackle complex global issues, lead change, and develop innovative solutions, integrating climate change, urbanization, and resource scarcity issues.
You can expect courses focused on engineering and design methods, economics, business, psychology, and sociology. It offers four courses per semester over two years, including studio courses and public lectures. You’ll gain a deep understanding of complex challenges, imagining novel solutions, and building prototypes.
Each year, the coursework changes to accommodate trending topics. Past topics include Health Systems and Aging, Energy, Carbon, and Society, and Food Systems. You’ll also undertake a project-like thesis tackling a societal challenge using design and engineering methods.
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI
Master of Arts in Design Engineering
| Tuition | $7,584 per course |
| Credit Hour | 30 |
This MA in Design Engineering program is strongly considered one of the top master’s degrees. It is offered in partnership with Brown University, providing students with RISD’s expertise in design thinking and creativity with Brown’s strong foundation in engineering and technology. You can expect a curriculum dedicated to creating new solutions for public health, education, and climate change.
MADE is an 11-month program that combines creativity, analytical reasoning, and research skills to create work for small- and large-scale challenges. This program offers many benefits, including a well-equipped maker space for prototyping, networking events, and a close-knit cohort structure. You’ll also have the opportunity to extend your learning opportunities to other fields, including aviation design.
Surprisingly, the program accepts students with little to no work experience. Some of its students are in their mid-20s and are straight from their undergraduate studies. However, to become a competitive applicant, you must at least have a portfolio demonstrating your expertise in using technology.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering + Design
| Tuition | $27,524 total (in-state) $55,052 total (out-of-state) |
| Credit Hour | 30 |
The MEng in Systems Engineering + Design at the University of Michigan is a highly flexible program. Students can complete the degree in a traditional, hybrid, or online learning format. Regardless of how you choose to complete the degree, you will receive multidisciplinary training that combines design and systems analysis, human factors, organizational strategy, and social science thinking.
The program offers an emphasis on the following areas:
- Design Engineering
- Engineering Project Management
- Lean and Agile Engineering
Upon completion of core courses, you can receive an Associate Systems Engineering Professional certificate, which can be later upgraded to the Systems Engineering Professional certification. The curriculum also integrates immersive practicum opportunities, allowing students to put their expertise to the test in industry-relevant capstone projects.
University of California – Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Master of Science in Engineering – Manufacturing and Design
| Tuition | $18,136 annually (resident) $33,238 annually annually (non-resident) |
| Credit Hour | 36 |
The University of California – Los Angeles offers an online MS in Engineering program with a Manufacturing and Design concentration. The program focuses on engineering design methods, intelligent material systems, nano- and micro-manufacturing, and composite manufacturing. It also features topics in digital control, power transmission systems, high-temperature components, and smart grids.
In addition to exploring manufacturing and design courses, students can also pursue other elective courses in other engineering fields. This provides you with a great opportunity to diversify your skill set. You can take mechanical, structural materials, aerospace, and materials science courses, among others.
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Master of Science in Engineering Design Innovation
| Tuition | $21,550 per quarter |
| Credit Hour | 30 |
Northwestern University offers a traditional 18-month MS in Engineering Design Innovation program that equips students with abilities to tackle complex design problems using an equity-centered approach. The curriculum immerses students in observation, ideation, and rapid prototyping in a project-based studio.
The core courses focus on human-centered design, product management, brand and design leadership, and design communications. Upon completion of the required courses, you can pursue three electives in your areas of interest:
- Consulting
- Consumer Products
- Design Engineering
- Design Research
- Entrepreneurship
- Healthcare
- Product Design
- Product Management
- Service Design
- Social Impact
- Tech
- UI/UX
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Drafting and Design Engineering?
One of the many exciting and rewarding engineering fields is drafting and design. It is involved in all design stages, from conception to presentation. Professionals who thrive in this field have advanced knowledge of concepts about drafting and design principles, material types and properties, and manufacturing processes.
Drafting and design engineers create mechanical or digital drawings, diagrams, blueprints, and models of various goods or structures. In this field, the engineers work alongside architects, assist product developers, and oversee construction work during the design, manufacturing, implementation, or building process.
Moreover, these professionals must be keen on using computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) and computer-aided drafting (CAD) software. These tools bridge the gap between design theory and actual application by transforming important concepts into feasible designs for physical, buildable, mechanical, and architectural objects.
What Should I Expect From a Master’s in Drafting and Design Engineering?
Master’s in drafting and design engineering programs can usually be completed within one to two years, depending on the degree requirements and student enrollment status. Typically, full-time students can graduate in 1 year, while part-time students often have up to four years to graduate.
Required and elective courses will significantly vary. However, you can expect to study an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines knowledge from engineering, sustainability, and design methods.
What is The Career and Salary Outlook for Master’s in Drafting and Design Engineering Graduates?
Earning a master’s degree in drafting and designing engineering opens up broad and diverse career opportunities. Associate degree holders alone earn an average of $60,400, which means that having an advanced degree will help you earn six digits a year!
The advanced skills and professional network you develop in a master’s degree will help qualify you for leadership positions. You can specialize in fields such as computer-aided design (CAD), product design, structural design, and urban planning for sustainable projects.
According to Glassdoor.com, the estimated total pay of Design Engineers is $114,877 per year.
With a master’s degree, you can competitively apply for design positions in a variety of fields, such as Architecture, Manufacturing, Medicine, Government, and Business. Your expertise, however, will be much needed in specific industries like automotive, aerospace, information technology, and medical equipment.
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