Johnson College Programs Receive American Design Drafting Association Certification

Johnson College’s Architectural Drafting & Design Technology and Civil Design Technology 2-year Associate Degree programs have been awarded curriculum certifications from the American Design Drafting Association (ADDT) for the 2024-25 academic year.

The ADDA Curriculum Certification is a specialized copyrighted program certification developed by ADDA to assist education facilities and vocational training institutions in aligning their educational process to meet or exceed industry standards. The Curriculum Certification process is based on a thorough review of criteria used within the training program and requires teacher and facility certifications as well as standard auditing processes.

While the Architectural Drafting & Design Technology program has been certified in the past, this is the first time the College’s Civil Design Technology program has received certification.

Jim Burden, Johnson College Associate Director of Faculty and Program Director of the Architectural Drafting & Design Technology and Civil Design Technology programs became professionally certified with ADDA in 2014 and has held the title of ADDA Certified Educator since beginning his career at Johnson College five years ago.

“The certification of the Civil Design Technology program has been a goal of mine since its inception and has now come to fruition, for the benefit of our Civil students and recognition of the quality of the course of study,” said Burden.

New Two-Year Associates Degree Program, Civil Design Technology

Students can enroll in Johnson College’s new two-year Civil Design Technology associates degree program launching during the spring 2022 semester.

This two-year associate degree program prepares students as entry-level technicians in the field of civil engineering. This program provides the foundation for applying basic engineering principles and technical skills to support civil engineers engaged in designing and executing public works projects such as highways, dams, bridges, tunnels, and other facilities. The program also emphasizes professional interpersonal skills.

Students will acquire the skills necessary to obtain an entry-level position in the civil design field, which has a 3% growth potential through 2029 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  They will also demonstrate professional behavior and ethics to meet work challenges and develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Graduates will work as civil designers, CAD technicians, survey technicians, design engineering technicians, or similar roles in the civil engineering industry and have the opportunity to make a medium annual income of up to $53,410. Typical employers in the civil design career field are civil design and engineering firms, structural engineering companies, environmental engineering firms, surveyors, consulting firms, construction companies, and government design agencies.

“The launch of the Civil Design Technology program is a great example of how Johnson College continues to answer industry demand for highly skilled technicians,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College President & CEO. “The College will work with industry partners to ensure our Civil Design Technology students are introduced to industry from day one and get the hands-on education needed for this in-demand career.”

To learn more about Johnson College’s new Civil Design Technology Program visit Johnson.edu/civildesign.

Photo Caption: Recently, Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO of Johnson College, visited PennDot’s I-84 Twin Bridge Project just outside of Dunmore, PA, to record a special Presidential Update Video announcing the launch of Johnson College’s new Civil Design Technology program, the College’s 16th two-year associates degree program. To watch the video, visit johnson.edu/presidential-update or learn more about the Civil Design Technology program at Johnson.edu/civildesign. Left to right: Chad Faraday, Civil Engineer Trainee, PennDot, Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, Johnson College, Chris Christopher E. Rood ‘06, P.E., Assistant Construction Engineer, PennDot, and John Pivovarnik, P.E., Assistant Construction Engineer, PennDot.