Programs of Study

CNC Programmer Certificate

Program Description

The Computer-Integrated Machining curriculum prepares students with the analytical, creative and innovative skills necessary to take a production idea from an initial concept through design, development and production, resulting in a finished product. 

Coursework may include manual machining,
computer applications, engineering design, computer-aided drafting (CAD), computer-aided machining (CAM), blueprint interpretation, advanced computerized numeric control (CNC) equipment, basic and advanced machining operations, precision measurement and high-speed multi-axis machining.

Graduates should qualify for employment as machining technicians in high-tech manufacturing, rapid-prototyping and rapid-manufacturing industries, specialty machine shops, fabrication industries, and high-tech or emerging industries such as aerospace, aviation, medical, and renewable energy, and to sit for machining certification examinations.

Admission Criteria

Admission to this program requires that students be high school graduates or have a recognized equivalency. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an ability to interpret mechanical work drawings, and develop/produce complex parts from these drawings, using a variety of machining tools and CNC equipment
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the use of CNC tools and equipment to include programming the CNC machine, set-up, operation, control functions, and inspection
  • Demonstrate proficiency in set-up and operation of advanced CNC machining techniques to include, turning, milling, wire EDM machining, and CNC programming
  • Demonstrate proficiency in CNC Graphics and Multi-Axis Machining to include the use of CAD/CAM software, tool path and part geometry, operations sequencing, speed, feed and cutting depth.

 Career Opportunities

Graduates should qualify for employment in:

  • aerospace product and parts manufacturing
  • motor vehicle parts manufacturing metalworking machinery manufacturing
  • machine shops
  • other industrial settings

Transfer Opportunities

While the AAS is a degree leading to immediate job placement upon graduation, Craven Community College has a special relationship for transfer to a BS degree in Industrial Technology with East Carolina University.

Contact Information

Executive Director of Career Programs
252-638-7372

Admissions Office
252-638-7430

Certificate Requirements

Courses in this program

Certificate Classes

Course Course Code Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces extended CAD applications., Emphasis is placed upon intermediate applications of CAD skills. Upon completion, students should be able to use extended CAD applications to generate and manage drawings.

Lecture Hours: 2  Lab Hours: 2  Clinical Hours: 0  Credit Hours: 3 
  • Prerequisites:
    None
  • Corequisites:
    None

This course introduces the concepts and capabilities of computer numerical control machine tools. Topics include setup, operation, and basic applications. Upon completion, students should be able to explain operator safety, machine protection, data input, program preparation, and program storage.

Lecture Hours: 2  Lab Hours: 0  Clinical Hours: 0  Credit Hours: 2 
  • Prerequisites:
    None
  • Corequisites:
    None

This course covers advanced methods in setup and operation of CNC turning centers. Emphasis is placed on programming and production of complex parts. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate skills in programming, operations, and setup of CNC turning centers.

Lecture Hours: 1  Lab Hours: 1  Clinical Hours: 0  Credit Hours: 2 
  • Prerequisites:
    Take MAC-122
  • Corequisites:
    None

This course covers advanced methods in setup and operation of CNC machining centers. Emphasis is placed on programming and production of complex parts. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate skills in programming, operations, and setup of CNC machining centers.

Lecture Hours: 1  Lab Hours: 1  Clinical Hours: 0  Credit Hours: 2 
  • Prerequisites:
    Take MAC-124
  • Corequisites:
    None

This course provides concentrated study in advanced programming techniques for working with modern CNC machine tools. Topics include custom macros and subroutines, canned cycles, and automatic machining cycles currently employed by the machine tool industry. Upon completion, students should be able to program advanced CNC functions while conserving machine memory.

Lecture Hours: 2  Lab Hours: 0  Clinical Hours: 0  Credit Hours: 2 
  • Prerequisites:
    Take MAC-121 or MAC-122 or MAC-124 or MAC-226
  • Corequisites:
    None

This course introduces Computer Numerical Control graphics programming and concepts for turning center applications. Emphasis is placed on the interaction of menus to develop a shape file in a graphics CAM system and to develop tool path geometry and part geometry. Upon completion, students should be able to develop a job plan using CAM software, including machine selection, tool selection, operational sequence, speed, feed, and cutting depth.

Lecture Hours: 1  Lab Hours: 1  Clinical Hours: 0  Credit Hours: 3 
  • Prerequisites:
    Take MAC-121 or MAC-122
  • Corequisites:
    None

This course introduces Computer Numerical Control graphics programming and concepts for machining center applications. Emphasis is placed on developing a shape file in a graphics CAM system and transferring coded information from CAM graphics to the CNC milling center. Upon completion, students should be able to develop a complete job plan using CAM software to create a multi-axis CNC program.

Lecture Hours: 1  Lab Hours: 1  Clinical Hours: 0  Credit Hours: 3 
  • Prerequisites:
    Take MAC 121 or MAC 124
  • Corequisites:
    None