Degree Overview: Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Technology Management
Majors Overview February 23, 2015Get information about bachelor’s degree programs in technology management and their coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and certification and continuing education choices.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Technology Management
Schools may offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Technology Management under various names, such as a Bachelor of Technology Management or a Bachelor of Advanced Manufacturing Management. Students enrolled in the program learn the technical and managerial skills necessary for working in a manufacturing setting.
The curriculum includes courses in computer-aided drafting (CAD), whereby students learn to work as drafters. CAD software enables the creation of technical drawings through the use of specifications from designers, engineers, and architects.
Often, four-year colleges collaborate with community colleges or vocational schools to offer bachelor’s degree programs in technology management. Technical classes, including CAD courses, are taken by students before transferring to the four-year college and completing core coursework to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma.
Coursework
Coursework is devised to prepare students for drafting careers in civil engineering, construction, architecture, and electronics. Apart from the basics of CAD, knowledge of manufacturing and design are also imparted to students. Business communications and marketing are among the business skills studied by students, who complete core coursework that may include:
•Decision-making strategies
•Materials and testing
•Technical drafting
•Robotics
•Basics of electronics
Career Choices
Armed with knowledge of CAD and a bachelor’s degree, students can seek numerous career options, such as managers and drafters in a manufacturing setting. They can choose from career options such as:
•CAD engineer
•Design engineer
•Aeronautical drafter
Job and Wage Outlook
A slow job growth rate of one percent has been predicted for drafters over the 2010 – 2020 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, professional drafters, including aeronautical drafters, brought home an average annual salary of $49,630 (BLS). In November 2013, CAD engineers netted an average annual salary of $51,477, while design engineers earned $64,029 during the same period.
Certification and Continuing Education Options
Those that complete the program may choose to pursue continuing education by earning a master’s degree in technology management. Students enrolled in these degree programs can develop the leadership skills necessary for advancing to an executive position or starting a technology business.
While companies do not require professional certification for drafters, the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) offers credentials that can help these professionals showcase their skills and knowledge in the field to potential employers. Continuing education is needed to keep the certification valid.
