CNC Machining & Tool-Making Technology AAS Degree

Master Machining Skills

Explore the exciting world of CNC careers in our Machining and Tool-Making Technology program. Learn machining, CAD/CAM, and advanced tool-making skills in year one. Progress to cutting-edge design and tool-making in year two for hands-on expertise.

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CNC Machining & Tool-Making Technology at a Glance

Degree
Associate of Applied Science
Length of Study
2 years
Course Format
Face-to-Face
Classes Meet
Daytime
Program Start
Fall

See all CNC options at Hawkeye

Your CNC Machining Career

Graduates find employment working in a variety of positions including:

  • Tool and die maker
  • CNC machinist
  • CNC machine operator
  • CNC set-up specialist
80%

Of Advanced Manufacturing Uses CNC

95%

Of Medical Device Parts Made by CNC

80%

Of Auto Parts Made by CNC

80%

Of Musical Instruments Made by CNC

Succeed at Hawkeye

Program Overview

  • CNC Fundamentals
  • CNC Programming
  • Machine Operations
  • Machine Trade Print Reading
  • Advanced Machine Theory
  • Geometric Dimensioning Tolerancing
  • Computer Aided Machining
  • EDM Fundamentals
  • Hydraulic Jigs and Fixtures
  • CAD Die Design
  • Tool Steel Welding and Heat Treatment
  • Die Revision and Repair
  • Moldmaking

CNC Lab: Use the latest equipment in the industry as you learn and perfect your skills on various types of CNC and production manufacturing machines.

Virtual CNC: Practice and gain confidence in your programming skills of CNC machines, mills, and lathes of the most widely used brands.

This program qualifies for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship and will pay up to 100% of your tuition.

You must apply for, be awarded, and meet the ongoing eligibility requirements for the Last-Dollar Scholarship.

This is a partial list of employers who hire CNC graduates:

  • Accurate Gear and Machine, Inc., Waterloo, IA
  • Blackhawk Engineering, Inc., Cedar Falls, IA
  • Criterion Manufacturing, Waterloo, IA
  • Geater Machining & Manufacturing, Co., Independence, IA
  • GMT Corporation, Waverly, IA
  • Iowa Laser Technology, Cedar Falls, IA
  • John Deere, Waterloo, IA
  • Viking Pump, Inc., Cedar Falls, IA

How to Get Started

It’s simple! Complete these steps:

  1. Apply for admission at Hawkeye.
  2. Send official transcripts to Admissions.
  3. Demonstrate college readiness.

Check the status of your application at any time by logging into your admissions account.

Program Admission Requirements

To enroll this program, you’ll need to meet the minimum score requirements.

  ALEKS ACCUPLACER Next Generation ACCUPLACER Classic COMPASS ACT GPA
Math 6 240 Arithmetic
241 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS)
40 Arithmetic 24 Pre-Algebra 14 2.00
Literacy   228 Reading or
229 Writing
42 Reading or
42 Sentence Skills
47 Reading or
20 Writing
14 Reading or
14 English
2.00

You can take the ALEKS Placement Assessment online. If you prefer, you can take the ACCUPLACER Next Generation or ACT at Hawkeye. While ACCUPLACER Classic and COMPASS aren’t offered anymore, you can still use your scores from those tests if you took them before for program admission.

If you don’t meet the minimum score requirements, you can take success courses instead. Talk to your academic advisor to help you find the right courses to get started.

If you meet the assessment score requirements, you can be accepted into the program.

If you don't meet these requirements, you’ll be accepted into a Pre-Program. As a pre-program student, you’ll start by taking general education and prerequisite classes. Your academic advisor will help you make a plan to meet the program requirements. After finishing your pre-program courses, contact Admissions to let them know.

Program Contacts

Admissions

Main Campus
Hawkeye Center 134
319-296-4000
Email Admissions

Regular Hours — Spring 2025

Monday – Friday 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Academic Advisor

Natasha Ceaser
Main Campus
Bremer Hall 136C
319-296-4014 ext.1062
Email Natasha Ceaser

Faculty Advisor

Last Names A–M

Brent Blythe
Main Campus
Buchanan Hall 153D
319-296-2329 ext.1391
Email Brent Blythe

Last Names N–Z

Chad Smith
Main Campus
Buchanan Hall 153A
319-296-2329 ext.1728
Email Chad Smith