Design: Envisioning New Possibilities
Is working in technical design the right path for me?
Do you enjoy logic and problem-solving?
Are you eager to use the latest technology to tackle real-world challenges?
Are you a team player who enjoys spearheading new projects?
If so, a career in technical design may be the right fit for you. Design and technology roles address challenges in our physical and naturally built environment through creative, tech-based solutions. Specialties include civil engineering, architecture, and interior design.
Your Pathway to Success
Read on for our comprehensive guide to Montana’s design education and training programs. Whether you're seeking rapid training programs, certificates, or advanced degrees, you'll find diverse educational pathways to help you align your studies with your career goals.
Check out our Design and Construction Career Pathways page to explore in-demand design jobs in Montana and take the first step toward a successful career in Technical Design.
Rapid Training, Certificates, and One- and Two-Year Programs
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Drafting & CAD Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Program Length: 2 years
Description: Through this 2-year program, students in the Drafting & CAD Technology program at Gallatin College MSU acquire the skills necessary for entry-level drafting jobs in the design/drafting industry using computer-based systems to produce technical illustrations used in manufacturing, production, and construction. Sometimes called a CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) technician, students will create design concepts that are workable in the real world. Using the CAD software, students perform calculations, develop simulations, and manipulate and modify the displayed material. Although most drafters work at computer terminals much of the time, students will also learn traditional drafting which entails creating manual drawings at drafting tables.
Program Length: 2 years
Description: Interior designers affect the function and efficiency of projects ranging from major industry to small residences. In the Interior Design program at Gallatin College MSU, students use tools such as manual and computer drafting, space planning and sketching along with a knowledge in construction and materials to bring their ideas to life. After graduation and working in the field, students may be eligible to sit for the NCIDQ Exam, a national certification exam considered as the gold standard in the interior design industry.
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Civil Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Program Length: 2 years
Description: Graduates of the Civil Engineering Technology program are prepared to assist professional engineers in a wide variety of projects from transportation, to sewer and water supply, to material testing. The program has a strong math and science foundation reinforced with communication, computers, and area focused electives. Hands-on training provides the student with significant real world experience while enrolled in the program. This program is an excellent way for anyone interested in the engineering field to receive concentrated training in two years and be ready to enter the work force.
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Civil Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science A.A.S.
Program Length: 2 years
Description: Graduates of the Montana State University Northern Civil Engineering Technology program will have the technical and managerial skills necessary to enter careers in the planning, design, construction, operation or maintenance of the built environment and global infrastructure.
Design Drafting Technology A.A.S.
Program Length: 2 years
Description: Learn the skills for a successful civil engineering, mechanical, or architectural drafting career through Montana State University-Northern American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) certified Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Design Drafting Technology. This drafting degree gives students a solid background in the principles of drafting, which translate to a variety of technical and engineering jobs.
Minors and Four-Year Programs
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Civil Engineering Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Program Length: 4 years
Description: Carroll College’s Civil Engineering degree focuses on the social value of engineering while mitigating environmental impact through sustainable engineering solutions. In addition to a rigorous technical curriculum, you will enjoy many opportunities while you are at Carroll to develop and practice your skills in the field to benefit people locally, nationally, and all over the world. When you study Civil Engineering at Carroll you will learn how to design buildings and bridges, protect and preserve the environment, manage our precious water resources, and provide efficient transportation systems. This provides you with a broad base of knowledge and skills so that after graduation you will be able to find enjoyable and rewarding work, start your own business, become a leader in your profession, and/or pursue graduate studies in a wide variety of disciplines.
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Architecture – Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Environmental Design
Program Length: 4 years
Description: Environmental Design students at Montana State learn how to design the spaces and structures where people live, work and play. Coursework focuses on scientific knowledge, technical expertise and high-level architectural design thinking both inside the studio and in the community at large. The Environmental Design program is specifically designed to prepare all graduates for acceptance into a Master of Architecture program, which licenses that candidate to work as a professional in the field.
Civil Engineering Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Program Length: 4 years
Description: Students in the Civil Engineering program at Montana State learn how to design and build the big things that society relies on: roads, bridges, buildings, water treatment plants and more. Whether touring a construction site during class or working with a professor on research to make new kinds of high-strength concrete, Civil Engineering students are afforded a variety of opportunities to develop skills that will serve them in positions in construction, transportation, structural engineering and more.
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Civil Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Program Length: 4 years
Description: Graduates of the Montana State University Northern Civil Engineering Technology program will have the technical and managerial skills necessary to enter careers in the planning, design, construction, operation or maintenance of the built environment and global infrastructure. Montana State University-Northern's Civil Engineering Technology BS program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET.
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Civil Engineering Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Program Length: 4 years
Description: Learn to identify and solve complex engineering problems by applying engineering, science, and mathematics principles through the ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at Montana Tech. Montana Tech’s civil engineering degree has close ties with industry, bringing in not just occasional guest lecturers, but accomplished professionals who co-teach with faculty in civil engineering.
Post-Graduate Programs
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General Engineering Master of Engineering (MEng) option in Civil Engineering
Program Length: 2 years
Description: The Masters of Engineering degree at Montana Tech is a 31-credit coursework-only master’s degree for those with a B.S. degrees in engineering, including practicing professionals and recent graduates. It provides an avenue for professional advancement and licensure. It also provides a curriculum path for high-achieving undergraduate engineering students seeking a Master’s degree, but who aren’t interested in research careers. The student will take advanced courses within the civil engineering option in addition to 6 credits selected from a core. All options require a one-credit exit exam.
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Master of Architecture (MArch)
Program Length: 2 years
Description: Montana State’s Master of Architecture program is specifically designed to hone the creative and scientific skills obtained in a candidate’s undergraduate studies with comprehensive design studios, investigative projects and preparation to take the ARE in order to become a registered architect. Candidates will have opportunities to forge their design sensibilities and scientific knowledge with explorations of sustainable building practices and the impact of architecture and the environment.
Civil Engineering Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
Program Length: 2 years
Description: Candidates in the Civil Engineering graduate program at Montana State delve into research subjects that include geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation, water resource, environmental engineering, construction, land surveying and beyond. By earning a Masters of Engineering degree, candidates further their understanding of new subjects in the civil engineering field alongside award-winning faculty who are recognized leaders in their areas of expertise.
Civil Engineering Master’s of Science (M.S.) or Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Program Length:
M.S. = 2 years
Ph.D. = 4-5 years
Description: Candidates in the Civil Engineering graduate program at Montana State delve into research subjects that include geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation, water resource, environmental engineering, construction, land surveying and beyond. As candidates select their research focus, they also choose how that project unfolds: either as a capstone thesis or as a professional paper in conjunction with a research project.
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Guided online courses offered by the American Society of Civil Engineers are led by practicing engineers who are leading experts in their fields to help you hone your technical skills and advance your career. Students can participate in courses ranging from 5-week, 6-week, and 12-week durations and can work at their own pace. The American Society of Civil Engineers also has a certificate program consisting of multiple guided online courses that enable you to go broader and deeper into specific technical areas.
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The Architect Registration Examination (ARE) is a multi-division exam used to assess your knowledge and skills regarding the practice of architecture. The ARE is designed to assess aspects of architectural practice related to health, safety, and welfare. Specifically, the ARE focuses on areas that affect the integrity, soundness, and health impact of a building, as well as an architect’s responsibilities within firms, such as managing projects and coordinating the work of other professionals.
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Stand out from the competition with an Autodesk AutoCAD credential that shows employers your proficiency in AutoCAD design and drafting. The AutoCAD certification provides written proof of your skills, allows you to input your name into the national AutoCAD database to connect with potential employers, and provides an AutoCAD logo and digital badge that you can share with your professional network to lend credibility to your designs and prove your program completion.
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NCIDQ Certification is the industry's recognized indicator of proficiency in interior design principles and a designer's commitment to the profession. The requirements of the NCIDQ Exam give clients and employers added confidence in the caliber of work from NCIDQ Certified interior designers. The exam covers seven areas that capture the core competencies of interior design: building systems, codes, construction standards, contract administration, design application, professional practice, and project coordination.
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The University of Providence’s Argo Connect and dual credit programs are crucial in helping to increase the educational options and opportunities for currently enrolled high school juniors and seniors. Not only do these programs provide students with a unique opportunity to earn credit at the secondary and postsecondary levels simultaneously – they provide students with an early glimpse of college life; including course load, deadlines, structure, and more. Students in Dual Enrollment can take up to three 3-credit courses at no cost.
Skill Development and Certifications
Additional Career Resources
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Check out our design career pathways page to explore in-demand design jobs in Montana.
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To identify in-demand roles in Montana, our team at the Montana High Tech Business Alliance pored over workforce data from the U.S. Department of Labor, research studies, and online job listings to create a list of tech jobs projected to grow fast in the next few years. See our list of 31 hot Montana jobs projected for 2023.
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We invite you to take advantage of Microsoft's Skills for Jobs initiative, which offers free access to LinkedIn Learning courses covering a wide range of topics, including AI and soft skills. Enhance your digital skills and empower your team and community with valuable knowledge that aligns with the evolving needs of today's economy.
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Discover summer internships and local mentorship opportunities in Billings through the Campus Billings program hosted by Big Sky Economic Development.
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CompTIA’s Career Explorer is a comprehensive resource designed to inform, inspire, and guide individuals toward their next career step in the tech industry and beyond. Explore the entire portfolio of Career Explorer resources at no cost, watch video profiles featuring diverse professionals sharing their non-traditional paths into tech careers, and gain insights into earnings potential, job outlook, employer hiring trends, remote work opportunities, and much more across the U.S. and 250 metro areas.
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Read “5 Tips to Set Yourself Up for Success in a Tech Career” to learn tips for launching a career in tech from hiring managers at Blackfoot Communications, Submittable, GL Solutions, onX, Skyfish, Cognizant, NorthWestern Energy, Pathlabs, Snapchat, and Instacart.
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In “5 Tips from Hiring Managers - How to Land a Montana Tech Job or Internship” local hiring managers from Boeing Helena, Hyundai Motor Group, and Zoot Enterprises share advice to help students stand out when applying for a Montana tech job or internship.
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See what tips you can use to give you an advantage in pursuing Tech Jobs or Internships in Montana.
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Reach Higher Montana’s Work-Based Learning Collaborative website features resources for employers to grow their talent pipeline through work-based learning, materials to help educators connect their classroom learning to careers, and links to resources that will help Montana students explore their career interests through on-the-job training.
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The WBLC Data Dashboard aims to make data on work-based learning in Montana accessible to help improve workforce support, work-based learning, and educational opportunities so that young people are better prepared for employment success and employers gain skilled workers. Updates are made annually.
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Produced by the Montana Work-Based Learning Collaborative, the Work-Based Learning Toolkit for Employers provides employers with resources, tools, and guidance to successfully develop high-quality work-based learning experiences for student workers.
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The informational interviews handout from the University of Montana College of Business lists five steps for setting up successful informational interviews to learn more about a specific company or industry.
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Check out MHTBA’s Great Places for Tech article series to learn more about high-tech opportunities in Montana.
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Take a look at our Jobs board that we use to post many tech jobs that are in Montana from entry level to Senior level positions.
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If you can’t find what you’re looking for on our Jobs Board, see this O*NET Career Database for additional information.
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Interested in more careers outside of Montana or outside the High-Tech Industry? Find additional occupational information with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Do you have a helpful resource you’d like to suggest we add to this guide? Do you have information you are searching for, or other feedback? The Montana High Tech Business Alliance would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at communications[at]mthightech.org.