Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinist is a Certificate Of Completion program offered by MT Training Center in DeSoto, TX. The program takes 1,070 clock hours — 31 weeks day / 43 weeks evening to complete, with a total tuition of $30,400.
Program Overview
Precision matters in manufacturing. Every part, measurement, cut, and machine movement has to be accurate. That is why CNC machinists play an important role in today’s manufacturing environments.
MT Training Center’s CNC Machinist Training Program is designed to help students build practical, hands-on skills in CNC mill operation, CNC lathe operation, blueprint reading, machining mathematics, CAD/CAM concepts, basic CNC programming, and manufacturing job preparation.
This program is built for students who want more than a basic introduction to machines. It gives you a structured path to understand how computer-controlled equipment is used to produce precision parts.
Many students search for CNC machine courses because they want to understand how modern manufacturing actually works.
CNC machining is where technology, measurement, and skilled operation come together. Students learn how CNC mills and lathes are set up, how codes guide machine movements, how blueprints are interpreted, and how CAD/CAM concepts connect digital designs to physical manufactured parts.
This program helps students move from curiosity to confidence by combining classroom instruction with hands-on training in machining processes and CNC equipment.
Program objectives. The CNC Machinist program is designed to provide the student with entry level skills and competencies necessary to perform entry-level CNC operator duties. Through classroom training, as well as hands-on experience, the student will be able to safely operate a CNC mill, lathe, and other related equipment by the end of the course. Students will also learn basic programming for the CNC machinery and will be able to complete necessary paperwork and adhere to all safety rules and regulations required of CNC operators. The graduate will qualify for employment as a CNC operator, machinist, lathe operator, mill operator for various manufacturing companies.
What sets this Program apart
A CNC machinist does more than press buttons. The role requires accuracy, machine awareness, measurement skills, blueprint understanding, code familiarity, and safe equipment operation.
This program is designed to help students build the foundation needed to work with CNC mill and lathe equipment while understanding the processes behind precision manufacturing.
This program helps students learn how to:
- Safely operate CNC mill and lathe machinery
- Read machining blueprints and technical drawings
- Understand dimensions, tolerances, and specifications
- Use machining mathematics for calculations and setup
- Understand basic G, M, S, and F codes
- Learn CNC milling and lathe processes
- Understand CAD/CAM concepts
- Prepare for entry-level manufacturing opportunities
- Build job-readiness skills for the machining industry
The official program objective states that students learn classroom and hands-on skills to safely operate CNC mills, lathes, and related equipment while learning basic CNC programming and required safety practices.
Admission Requirements and Process
Program admission requirements. Applicants must meet all of the following requirements before being admitted into the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinist program at MT Training Center: Possess a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalent, or be able to pass the Accuplacer Test; be able to read and write English. Applicants must schedule an interview with the admissions office and submit a completed application. Once accepted, they will be subject to the school's refund and cancellation policy. Class size is limited based upon space availability. MT Training Center is open to all candidates without regard to race, color, nationality, national origin, religion, age, sex, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, or marital status. The admission standards are in complete compliance with the Texas Workforce Career School and Colleges Regulatory Board, the Texas Veterans Commission, and the U.S. Department of Education's regulations.
Admission policy. Before an applicant can be accepted for admission to MTTC, he or she must: schedule an interview with the Admissions department, where potential students will be informed of all cost, length, equipment requirements, technical requirements and any cost associated with specific programs; complete an admission application; take a tour of the school's facility; and submit a completed enrollment agreement. Individuals may apply at any time but may only begin their program of study on specified start dates.
Admission requirements. To be eligible for admission, an applicant must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident, be able to read and write English, and provide proof of one of the following within 30 days of enrollment: a high school diploma (this can be from a foreign school if it is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma and has been translated and evaluated by a credible educational credential evaluation service provider in the United States); the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, such as a general educational development or GED certificate; a high school transcript (official or unofficial which includes a graduation date); or completion of homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law. Applicants must be beyond the age of compulsory public-school attendance.
Fresh Start and Ability to Benefit. For students who are not seeking Federal Title IV, HEA funding, MTTC admits students on an "Ability to Benefit" (ATB) basis: an applicant must be able to read and write English, be beyond the compulsory school attendance age and obtain at minimum a score of 233 (Reading), 235 (Writing), and 230 (Arithmetic) on the Accuplacer Exam. If an applicant does not obtain a satisfactory score, the school allows the test to be retaken after 14 days of the original test date. MT Training Center enrolls eligible students without a high school diploma or its equivalent into its online GED Prep Program without cost to the student.
Credit for previous education. Credit for previous education and training may be granted based on a personal interview and an analysis of an official transcript indicating a grade of "C" or better in a subject with the same objectives, or through a successful challenge of a particular subject (a comprehensive subject examination by the second day of classes, passed with a grade of 70% or higher). Maximum allowable credit for previous education is 50% of the total credit in the program, credit will not be granted for academic courses over two years old, and once credit has been granted the program cost will be adjusted accordingly.
Enrollment. Upon receipt of all required documents and in good order, the prospective student is then eligible to enroll. When all admission criteria and requirements are met, the prospective student is given the date of the next class. The first day of class will include financial aid and academic orientation, in which the student will sign their enrollment agreement, student permit form and additional required paperwork.
General Requirements
- Citizenship or permanent residencyBe a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident who is able to read and write English.
- High school completion or AccuplacerProvide a high school diploma, GED, high school transcript with a graduation date or proof of secondary homeschooling within 30 days of enrollment, or pass the Accuplacer test…
- Admissions interviewSchedule an interview with the admissions office, where you are informed of all cost, length, equipment requirements and technical requirements of the program.
- Application, tour and enrollment agreementComplete an admission application, take a tour of the school's facility and submit a completed enrollment agreement.
Application Process
- 1Schedule an admissions interviewSchedule an interview with the Admissions department, where you will be informed of all cost, length, equipment requirements and technical requirements of the program.
- 2Complete the applicationComplete the Application for Admission.
- 3Tour the facilityTake a tour of the school's facility; tours may be scheduled or you may drop in.
- 4Provide your documentsProvide proof of high school completion (or pass the Accuplacer test) and the other documents your program requires.
- 5Complete the FAFSAApplications for federal aid programs are made by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); MT Training Center’s federal school code is 042264.FAFSA Code for DeSoto Main Campus: 042264FAFSA at studentaid.gov
- 6Sign the enrollment agreement and attend orientationSubmit a completed enrollment agreement; when all admission requirements are met you are given the date of the next class, and the first day includes orientation.
Program Schedule
Class schedules. Day classes are scheduled Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M. Evening classes are scheduled Monday through Friday from 3:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Classes will receive various breaks throughout the day with a half hour for lunch/dinner.
Length. 31 weeks (Day Class) or 43 weeks (Evening Class); 15:1 (student/instructor) ratio; 1,070 total clock hours.
Starts. Enrollment into the program begins every Monday, based on admissions requirements and program availability.
Calendar. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and regular school hours are Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Classes will not be held on New Year's Day; Seumas' Remembrance Day (January 3); Martin Luther King Day; Spring Break (March 16-20); Good Friday; Anita's Remembrance Day (May 2); Cinco de Mayo; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Summer Break (July 27-31); Labor Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Break (Wednesday to Friday of Thanksgiving week); Christmas Break (December 21-30); and New Year's Eve.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited school means its training has been reviewed against independent standards that protect students.
This school: MT Training Center (MTTC) is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education – COE. It is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Career Schools and Colleges Section and by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and approved by the Texas Veterans Commission.
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Reviewed against independent standards
- Recognized by employers and licensing boards
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
| Tuition and fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $30,400 |
| Registration | $100 |
| Total cost | $30,500 |
Financial aid. The catalog prints "Financial Aid Available" for this program, and it is on the catalog’s list of programs approved for Federal Title IV, HEA Financial Assistance (Advanced CDL Driver Training for the Entrepreneur, Advanced Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC-R), Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinist, Class A Barber, Computerized Accounting: Distance Education, Gunsmithing, Advanced Gunsmithing, Advanced Electrical Lineworker, Combination Welding and Cosmetology Operator). MT Training Center’s federal school code is 042264.
Price change. The September 2026 edition of the catalog printed $21,400 tuition ($21,500 total) for this program; the October 2026 catalog, effective November 1, 2026, prints $30,400 ($30,500 total), as does the program page.
Paying for school. MT Training Center accepts the following forms of payment: cash, personal checks, money orders, and credit cards. Financial assistance is also available for those who qualify. There are many different types of aid available which include grants, loans, scholarships, and Veteran Benefits. For approved programs these include the Federal Pell Grant, the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, Federal Direct Loans and PLUS Loans; applications for federal aid programs are made by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services are provided through the state's workforce system, the Texas Veterans Commission administers veterans' education benefits, and TFC Tuition Financing provides private financing plans through the Institutional Student Financial Assistance Program. MT Training Center enforces a five (5) day Financial Aid waiting period: students that receive Federal Student Aid are required to attend all classes for the first week of school in order to be awarded aid.
Cancellation and refunds. A full refund will be made to any student who cancels the enrollment contract within 72 hours (until midnight of the third day excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) after the enrollment contract is signed or within the student's first three scheduled class days. If tuition and fees are collected in advance and the student does not enter school, not more than $100 in nonrefundable administrative fees shall be retained. After a student enters, the school may retain not more than $100 in nonrefundable administrative fees; the refund of remaining tuition and fees is ninety percent during the first week or one-tenth of the course, eighty percent within the first three weeks, seventy-five percent within the first quarter, fifty percent during the second quarter and ten percent during the third quarter, and a student may not collect a refund after completing 75 percent of the hours charged. Once books, tools or other supplies are purchased, no refund will be made for them. Refunds are made within 45 days, without requiring a request from the student.
Curriculum
The CNC Machinist program is structured around the skills students need to understand machine operation, part production, technical drawings, calculations, and job readiness.
Graduation requirements. The successful student will have completed 80% of clock hours at a 2.0 G.P.A. or higher. The graduating student must possess knowledge of set-up and use of the CNC mill and lathe machinery, as well as be able to perform a final examination using G, S, M, and F codes. The student will also be required to produce manufactured pieces of computer - aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. Upon completion of the program and successfully passing all examinations, the student will be issued a Certificate of Completion by MT Training Center.
Attendance and grades. Students must attend a minimum of 80% of the total clock hours in their program of study in order to be eligible for graduation; an absence of more than 20% of the total clock hours, without an approved Leave of Absence, may result in termination, and classes that are missed must be made up. A leave of absence shall not exceed the lesser of thirty (30) school days or sixty (60) calendar days, and a student shall be granted only one leave of absence per 12-month period. Grades are issued at the completion of each subject: A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69) and F, and students are issued progress reports at the completion of each of the terms in their programs.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Lecture | Lab | Total | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
The CNC Machinist program is designed to prepare students for entry-level CNC operator duties. The current program page states that graduates may qualify for employment as a CNC operator, machinist, lathe operator, or mill operator for manufacturing companies.
After completing the program, students may be prepared to explore entry-level opportunities such as:
- CNC operator
- CNC machinist
- Lathe operator
- Mill operator
- Machine operator
- Manufacturing technician
- CNC production support role
- Entry-level machining assistant
This program helps students build a foundation in the machine skills, technical knowledge, and workplace preparation needed to begin exploring CNC and manufacturing career paths.
From the catalog. The graduate will qualify for employment as a CNC operator, machinist, lathe operator, mill operator for various manufacturing companies.
Placement assistance. Student services are available to all MT Training Center students, graduates, and non-graduate completers. Instructors monitor students' progress throughout classroom training and provide feedback and career advice, and the Placement Services Department meets with each student on an individual basis to develop customized employment placement services: completing an employment application, reviewing the employment resume, mock interviews, interview preparation, employment referral and follow-up. The Texas Workforce Commission does not permit the school to guarantee employment for completers or graduates; job placement assistance is available for all student completers and graduates.
What to expect as an MT Training Center student
Modern manufacturing depends on people who understand both machines and details.
The CNC Machinist Training Program gives students exposure to the technical skills behind precision work, including CNC mill setup, lathe operation, code basics, CAD/CAM concepts, blueprint interpretation, and machining calculations.
Students are not only learning what CNC machining is. They are learning how machine setup, part design, programming logic, measurements, and safety all work together in a real manufacturing environment.
Explore the CNC Program
About the school. MT Training Center opened its doors in Grand Prairie, Texas in 2001, originally offering Medical Transcription; while Medical Transcription is no longer part of the curriculum, its legacy lives on in the school's name. Two years after its founding, the school launched its first Truck Driving program; buoyed by its success, the school's offerings expanded to include Combination Welding and CNC Machining. The school became the first institution in Texas to offer a CDL program eligible for financial aid with its Advanced CDL Driver Training for the Entrepreneur, and launched the state's first woman-owned, hands-on Gunsmithing and Advanced Gunsmithing programs. Today, in its new facilities in Desoto, Texas, MT Training Center remains committed to growth and innovation, offering high-demand programs such as HVAC, and Advanced Electrical Lineworker training.
Mission. Our mission at MT Training Center is to empower individuals through high-quality vocational education and training that fosters professional growth, skills development, and lifelong learning. We are committed to providing accessible, hands-on programs that meet the evolving needs of the workforce while promoting inclusivity and diversity.
The DeSoto campus. MT Training Center is housed in a mixed-use industrial-office facility in Desoto, TX. The 46,000 square foot building is equipped with a state-of-the-art conference/lecture room, student store, Media Services Center with computers, CDL instruction area for on-sight maneuvers, Virtual CDL Driving laboratory, Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) laboratory, Combination Welding laboratory, HVAC laboratory, Gunsmithing laboratory, Simulated Utility Pole Field for Lineworker maneuvers and training, and several classrooms. MT Training Center provides a student breakroom with a full kitchen for student use, spacious restrooms, and a suite of administrative offices. On-site parking with adequate lighting is available for all students, staff and instructors. Students attending classes in the industrial programs utilize HAAS, Sharp, Miller, and Lincoln equipment. Several of the programs issue individual kits to students.
Orientation. New student orientation is held on the first day of class for all programs. The new student will be acquainted with the school's policies, rules, functions, and personnel; the School Catalog and the Student Handbook are reviewed with the student, and students are taken on a tour of the facilities and introduced to personnel and faculty. In order to provide an environment that is conducive to learning, instructor to student ratios never exceed 20:1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Programs at DeSoto Main Campus
MT Training Center in DeSoto, TX also offers these 15 programs at 100 Ezell Drive, DeSoto, TX 75115.
- Administrative AssistantCertificate Of Completion · 840 clock hours — 24 weeks day / 34 weeks evening
- Advanced CDL Driver Training for the EntrepreneurCertificate Of Completion · 640 clock hours — 19 weeks
- Advanced Electrical LineworkerCertificate Of Completion · 900 clock hours — 26 weeks day / 36 weeks evening
- Advanced GunsmithingCertificate Of Completion · 1,440 clock hours — 42 weeks day / 58 weeks evening
- Advanced Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC-R)Certificate Of Completion · 600 clock hours — 19 weeks day / 24 weeks evening
- Business Office SpecialistCertificate Of Completion · 390 clock hours — 20 weeks day / 25 weeks evening
- CDL Prep ProgramCertificate Of Completion · 80 clock hours — 2 weeks
- Class A BarberCertificate Of Completion · 1,000 clock hours — 30 weeks day / 40 weeks evening
- Class B CDL TrainingCertificate Of Completion · 240 clock hours — 6 weeks
- Combination WeldingCertificate Of Completion · 1,210 clock hours — 35 weeks day / 49 weeks evening
- Computerized Accounting: Distance EducationCertificate Of Completion · 600 clock hours — 17 weeks
- Cosmetology OperatorCertificate Of Completion · 1,000 clock hours — 30 weeks day / 40 weeks evening
- GunsmithingCertificate Of Completion · 1,540 clock hours — 44 weeks day / 62 weeks evening
- Medical Front OfficeCertificate Of Completion · 590 clock hours — 30 weeks day / 30 weeks evening
- Truck Driving (Class A CDL)Certificate Of Completion · 160 clock hours — 4 weeks