Academic Catalogs

CNC Machine Programmer, Certificate of Achievement

Banner Code: 1_CT_MTMP

Control Number: 19543

Financial Aid Eligible


The CNC Machine Programmer certificate includes courses designed to upgrade the skills and knowledge of the machinist or the CNC machine operator to the level of the CNC machine programmer. If you are a machinist and have minimal experience with CNC machines or machine language programming, you will first want to complete the CNC Machine Operator Professional Upgrade Certificate. If you have both machining experience and CNC experience, the software used for the Machine Technology A133 and A134 courses provides excellent experiences in computer-assisted CNC programming. All of our programming courses require the use of a personal-type computer. If you have no computer experience, we strongly suggest you enroll in a basic computer use type course first (Computer & High Technology A100 or Computer Information Systems A100).

Program Outcome

Write part machine programs for controlling CNC lathes and milling machines.

Review Graduation Requirements.

Required Prerequisites

Machinist Certificate of Achievement (24 Units)

Course Title Units
MACH A100Introduction to Machine Shop3
MACH A105Lathe5
MACH A110Milling Machine5
MACH A115Production Machining Techniques2
MACH A120Measurement and Blueprint Reading3
MACH A121Computations for Machinists3
MACH A130Introduction to CNC and Manual Programming3
Total Units24

Required Courses

Course Title Units
MACH A125CNC Machine Operation 13
MACH A126CNC Machine Operation 22
MACH A134CNC Programming-Mastercam 23
MACH A141Mastercam Lathe1.5
MACH A142Mastercam Solids2
Total Units11.5
Requirement Units
Program Prerequisites 24
Award Units 11.5
Total Units 35.5

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are curriculum maps for students to finish all requirements for the certificate. There may be advisories, prerequisites, or time requirements that students need to consider before following these maps. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor for alternate sequencing. 

Some courses in this program may be offered once per academic year.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
MACH A100 Introduction to Machine Shop 3
MACH A105 Lathe 5
MACH A120 Measurement and Blueprint Reading 3
MACH A121 Computations for Machinists 3
 Units14
Semester 2
MACH A110 Milling Machine 5
MACH A130 Introduction to CNC and Manual Programming 3
 Units8
Year 2
Semester 1
MACH A125 CNC Machine Operation 1 3
MACH A115 Production Machining Techniques 2
MACH A133 CNC Programming-Mastercam 1 3
 Units8
Semester 2
MACH A126 CNC Machine Operation 2 2
MACH A141 Mastercam Lathe 1.5
MACH A142 Mastercam Solids 2
MACH A134 CNC Programming-Mastercam 2 3
 Units8.5
 Total Units38.5