Tool and Die Making, A.A.S.
The Tool and Die Making A.A.S. program offers hands-on training in designing, building, and repairing high-precision tools and dies. This program prepares you to play a vital role in manufacturing industries that rely on cutting-edge tooling and mold-making technology.
What Can You Do with a Degree in Tool & Die Making?
With this degree, you can work as a tool and die maker, designing and building the
molds, dies, and fixtures used in manufacturing processes. You will create and repair
tools that produce parts with tight tolerances, support quality control, and help
ensure efficient production. This highly skilled role is essential in industries that
require precise and durable tooling, and it offers a pathway to advanced technical
positions and supervisory roles in manufacturing.
Graduates can find employment as tool and die makers, mold makers, CNC programmers,
or maintenance technicians in automotive, aerospace, medical device, and industrial
manufacturing sectors. The field offers competitive wages, stable employment, and
opportunities for advancement as manufacturing technology evolves and production standards
become more sophisticated.
Suggested Curriculum
The Tool and Die Making curriculum meets the standards of the United States Bureau
of Apprenticeship which requires a minimum of 144 contact hours of related classroom
instruction per year for an apprenticeship. The program is coordinated with area firms.
Area A: Communication (6 credits)
- ENG 101 Composition I (C1 900) - with a grade of C or better
- COMM 101 Principles of Communication (C2 900)
Area B: Humanities and Fine Arts (3 credits)
Select one course from Area B
Area C: Mathematics (4)
- AMATH 112 Applied Mathematics for the Skilled Trades
Area D: Physical and Life Sciences (3-4 credits)
Select one course from Area D
Area E: Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
Select one course from Area E
- CADMD 141 Technical Drafting I
- CADMD 243 Introduction to AutoCAD
- CADMD 244 Intermediate AutoCAD
- HYDR 101 Fundamentals of Hydraulics
- HYDR 106 Pneumatics
- MILL 101 Industrial Maintenance Techniques I
- MT 101 Machining Basics – Measurement, Materials, and Safety
- MT 102 Machining Job Planning, Benchwork, and Layout
- MT 105 Metal Working Processes III
- MT 210 CNC Milling Level I
- MT 220 Metallurgy – Ferrous
- TECH 109 Technical Mathematics I
- TOOL 101 Tool and Die Processes
- TOOL 102 Tool and Die Maintenance
- WELD 115 Basic Arc Welding/Oxyfuel Welding
- CADMD 245 Computer Aided Design
- CADMD 248 Introduction to Inventor
- CADMD 249 Solidworks - 3D Solid Modeling
- MT 211 CNC Turning Level I
- MT 214 CAD/CAM Systems
- MT 290 Special Topics in Manufacturing Technology
- ELEC 288 Special Topics in Electricity - Introduction
- ELEC 289 Special Topics in Electricity - Fundamentals
- ELEC 290 Special Topics in Electricity
- WELD 290 Special Topics in Welding
Each college and university has its own major requirements and transfer policies. Consult the schools you are considering and a PSC advisor to discuss courses and their transferability.
Gainful Employment Disclosures - 2026
For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
Tool and Die Making, A.A.S.
This program is designed to be completed in XX months.
This program will cost $XX if completed within normal time. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting, but may have changed.
Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with $X of debt.
Faculty Contact Information
Martin Wolfe
Professor/Coordinator, Welding and Industrial Manufacturing
Email: mwolfe@prairiestate.edu
Phone: (708) 709-7807
Office: T-145
Prairie State College provides a comprehensive array of resources designed to foster student success and well-being. These include disability support services, health and safety protocols, career development counseling, and personal support. Academic assistance is readily available through tutoring, advising, and library services, while transfer advising and campus security ensure a safe and seamless college experience. Additionally, the college offers various financial aid options to help students achieve their educational objectives.
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