SUNY Delhi's Computer Aided Drafting and Design Program First to Receive Accreditation in Three Areas

DELHI, N.Y., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SUNY Delhi's Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) became the first program in the world to receive accreditation for all of its three options. Graduates of Delhi's CADD certificate, AOS degree and AAS degree will now receive a certificate from the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) with their diploma.

"This is something we've been pursuing for the last six years, and we're excited that Delhi has received certification for every one of the CADD options it offers," said Mike Miller, Associate Professor. "It's unprecedented to receive the certification at three levels, so we are very proud to have this distinction."

SUNY Delhi underwent an extensive review of its CADD program to become accredited by the ADDA. All facets of the program were examined, such as the curriculum and faculty and student projects. The application process to become an accredited CADD program took two years to complete. The college had made adjustments to the program for the last six years in an effort to prepare for a review by the ADDA. "We wanted to ensure that SUNY Delhi's CADD program would unequivocally meet all the requirements set by the ADDA," Professor Miller said.

SUNY Delhi was notified by the ADDA that it had approved the college's application for accreditation, following a special meeting of the organization's board of directors. According to Professor Miller, the organization had never approved more than one certification for an institution in its history. "There are currently 60 educational institutions internationally that are certified. Every other college that has been accredited through the ADDA has only one certification. SUNY Delhi now has three," Professor Miller said.

In addition to the recent accreditation, SUNY Delhi has served as an official ADDA testing site for the last seven years. This ensures that SUNY Delhi students are able to sit for the national certification exam at an affordable cost since financial assistance is granted through the college's student ADDA chapter.

Professor Miller added, "There's a great demand for computer-aided drafters and designers. Being nationally certified gives our students an advantage in the job market when competing for available jobs and higher salaries. It also makes SUNY Delhi attractive to prospective students who are coming from Massachusetts, Vermont and Pennsylvania where it's mandated that high school programs be nationally certified."

SUNY Delhi's Computer Aided Drafting and Design program offers a seamless approach to education in that students may pursue a certificate as an apprentice drafter then move on to an A.O.S. at the drafter level, or an A.A.S. at a designer/drafter level. The A.A.S. is preferable to graduates who wish to pursue a four-year degree in engineering technology or technology education.

SUNY Delhi is one of only four colleges in New York State that offers an Associate Degree program specifically in Computer Aided Drafting and Design. Other institutions offer programs such as Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Civil Technology, and Architectural Technology that use CADD, but the SUNY Delhi program focuses on the use of CADD exclusively. SUNY Delhi's solid reputation in this area is based upon 40 years of preparing industry-ready designers and drafters.

The American Design Drafting Association is a professional membership and educational society dedicated to serving the professional growth and advancement of the individual working in the design drafting community. ADDA is the only membership organization dedicated exclusively to the professional designer/drafter in all disciplines.

For more about the American Design Drafting Association, visit http://www.adda.org.

For more information about SUNY Delhi's Computer Aided Drafting and Design program, contact Enrollment Services at 1-800-96-DELHI or visit www.delhi.edu.

SUNY Delhi is a member of the State University of New York, the largest public higher education system in the U.S. Delhi's seamless approach to education includes over 60 academic programs, and allows students to obtain one-year certificates and two-year associate degrees. Students may also pursue a four-year degree in select programs at Delhi.