Electrical Drafting & Estimating is a Certificate program offered by Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, MN. The program takes 1 year to complete, with a total tuition of $18,432.
Program Overview
Electrical designers and estimators are in-demand, bridging the gap between the field, the engineers, and the front office.
Designed for working professionals in the electrical field, the Electrical Drafting & Estimating Certificate provides industry training in electrical design and electrical estimating. All course sessions are online, taught by experts who have worked professionally in the field, and either take place in the evening or can be completed at any time during the week.
Learn the software and the tools to become an integral part of the electrical team as you work with engineers in drafting the electrical specifications used by electricians in the field. Gain the skills and knowledge to build construction documents, develop schedules, and estimate the cost of a project. Use industry-current software, including 3D drafting and lighting software, to become a sought-after professional in the electrical design field.
Instruction is project-based so that you learn and practice skills that are directly applicable to the electrical industry.
Students should have at least five years of experience in the electrical industry before enrolling in the certificate program. Credits earned in the Electrical Drafting & Estimating certificate directly transfer into Dunwoody’s Electrical Construction Design & Management associate’s degree.
All students in the program receive a laptop loaded with the construction, estimating, and design software needed for their coursework.
The software suite includes the same programs and products you’ll find in industry, including: REVIT, Bluebeam Revu, Accubid, NavisWorks, Visual Studio, Microsoft Suite, and AutoCAD.
Students also have the option of becoming an AutoDesk REVIT MEP Certified Professional as part of the program.
Don’t have industry experience? Check out the two-year Electrical Construction Design & Management degree, which has both online and on-campus options.
International Students. This program is an official STEM Designated Degree Program, as listed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) qualifying it to fulfill the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension requirement for the F-1 student visa.
Admission Requirements and Process
Students applying for admission to Dunwoody College of Technology must provide a final, official high school transcript (with graduation date) or a GED score from a recognized GED testing center. Admission decisions are based on a careful, overall assessment of each student’s academic preparation and performance, as well as the additional information provided in the application. Additional requirements may be required for certain programs.
Program requirements. Students should have at least five years of experience in the electrical industry before enrolling in the certificate program.
General Requirements
- Industry experienceStudents should have at least five years of experience in the electrical industry before enrolling in the certificate program.
- High school diploma or GEDProvide a final, official high school transcript (with graduation date) or a GED score from a recognized GED testing center.
- College transcriptsIf you have completed college credits and intend to apply for federal financial aid, or want the credits considered for transfer, an official transcript from that institution is…
- Admission reviewAdmission decisions weigh coursework through high school graduation, any previous college-level coursework, grade point average and the application essay.
- Test scores optionalACT, SAT or PSAT scores are considered if available but are not required.
- ImmunizationMinnesota law (M.S. 135A.14) requires students born after 1956 to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella; accepted students fill out an immunization…
- OrientationOrientation is an enrollment requirement for all new students; admitted students are mailed information on Orientation sessions.
Application Process
- 1Fill out an application for admissionRegister for Dunwoody’s Admissions portal and start your application; you can save your progress and come back to it.
- 2Provide official transcriptsRequest official transcripts from all educational institutions attended (including high school), sent directly to the Dunwoody Admissions Office, or have your GED scores sent.
- 3Personal interviewA personal interview with an Admissions Counselor is recommended to ensure Dunwoody is the right fit for your educational and career goals.
- 4Admissions decisionYour completed file goes to the admissions committee, which meets once a week; students are notified of decisions within four business days.
- 5Apply for financial aidComplete the FAFSA (Dunwoody school code 004641); a completed FAFSA is also required to be considered for Dunwoody scholarships.FAFSA Code for Minneapolis Campus: 004641Complete FAFSA Application
- 6Attend orientationAdmitted students are mailed information on Orientation, an enrollment requirement for all new students, where they receive their class schedule and student ID.
Program Schedule
Length of program. 1 year (2 semesters).
Classes offered. Day; Distance Learning.
Available starts. Fall Semester; Spring Semester.
Upcoming start dates. January 25, 2027, August 30, 2027, January 24, 2028 (per the 2026-2027 academic calendar).
- January 25th, 2027
- August 30th, 2027
- January 24th, 2028
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Program cost (2026-27). Total program tuition is $18,432 (Year 1: $18,432). Required fees (device) total $778 and books, supplies, materials and course/program fees total $1,033, for an estimated total program cost of $20,243.
Cost of attendance. For the 2025-26 academic year Dunwoody lists average annual costs (which vary by program) of $27,704 tuition, $744 books and supplies and $710 fees, plus living expenses of $3,898 food, $11,766 on-campus or $12,106 off-campus housing, $2,000 transportation and $2,200 miscellaneous.
Financial aid. Most Dunwoody students receive some form of financial aid, including federal and state grants, federal loans and work study. Start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); Dunwoody’s federal school code is 004641. A completed FAFSA is also required to be considered for Dunwoody scholarships, and each year Dunwoody gives out nearly $4 million in scholarship funding.
Minnesota programs. Dunwoody participates in the Minnesota State Grant, Dream Act, Postsecondary Child Care Grant, GI Bill Scholarship, Indian Scholarship, Fostering Independence Grant, State Work-Study and SELF Loan programs.
Veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes Dunwoody as a Benefits Eligible College, and Dunwoody is a Yellow Ribbon School. Dunwoody waives the application fee and enrollment fees for veterans and military students.
Payment plans. Dunwoody offers a payment plan option for students to divide the balance owed each semester into smaller payments; students must enroll in the payment plan each semester.
Curriculum
The Electrical Drafting & Estimating (ECDE), Certificate requires 16 credits. By the end of this program, students will be able to:
- An ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve well-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
- An ability to design solutions for well-defined technical problems and assist with the engineering design of systems, components, or processes appropriate to the discipline.
- An ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in well-defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature.
- An ability to function effectively as a member of a technical team.
Class topics include:
- 3D Drafting & Design
- Electrical Estimating
- Electrical Planning & Scheduling
- Illumination Technology & Design
- Advanced Estimating
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Common job titles. Possible job titles upon graduation include:
- Electrical Drafter
- Electrical Lighting Designer
- Electrical Estimator
2024-25 graduate outcomes. Of 2 Electrical Drafting & Estimating graduates in 2024-25, the in-field employment rate was 100% and the career outcomes rate was 100% (Dunwoody Career Services Annual Report 2024-2025; employment recorded up to six months after graduation).
Average salary. $77K (Construction Sciences & Building Technology, Certificate; 2023-24 Dunwoody Career Services Annual Report, as shown on the program page).
What to expect as a Dunwoody College of Technology student
Student organizations. Opportunities to get involved outside of the classroom include:
- National Electrical Contractors Association Student Chapter (NECA)
- SkillsUSA
- Student Leadership Council
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Dunwoody College of Technology is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Minneapolis Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Percentages are of total fall enrollment. 9 students whose race or ethnicity was not reported are included in that total but shown as no category, so the figures above come to 99.4% rather than 100%.
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