Computer Assisted Design and Drafting
Meet us at the intersection of technology and art with the Computer Assisted Design (CAD) and Drafting program. This program is great for students who love art, drawing, and using computers. CAD operators create the technical drawings used by architects, surveyors, engineers, or scientists. A CAD operator is also an essential role in civil engineering, where they prepare drawings that are used in planning our infrastructure, like highways, pipelines, or bridges.
This program emphasizes current technological needs in the drafting industry and is designed to prepare students for an entry-level career as a CAD operator working for architects, interior designers, or other professionals in related fields. This program will teach you about 2D and 3D computer-aided drafting and design and models utilizing industry-standard CAD, Revit, and BIM software, computer numerical control (CNC) programming, and basic manufacturing processes using American standards (ANSI). You will learn how to produce sketches, layouts, drawings, and various views that are compliant with standard industry practices.
Join the Computer Assisted Design and Drafting program today and make it happen!
Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.
| Architectural Technology |
| Architectural Technology |
Program Description
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) and Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Architectural Technology equips successful graduates with job-entry level skills for employment as drafting technicians in Architectural, Interior Design, Structural, Electrical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering, Construction/Development firms, and related specialty industries – Remodeling/Cabinet Manufacturing/Kitchen/Bath firms -- in the preparation of those construction documents (working drawings) required for bidding, securing building permits, and construction.
There are no prerequisites required for beginning courses.
Classes focus on the applicable technical skills required to complete work on AutoCAD, Revit, and Sketchup 3D software as well as the technical knowledge required to complete the various drawing types typically included in a set of professional quality working drawings i.e.: classes are geared to address both “how” to draw and “what” to draw in a professional working environment. Related technical training includes work with Virtual Reality, 3D Printing, and Laser Space Scanning.
The program is also geared to serve non-degree or certificate seeking students, providing skills updating for working professionals as well accommodating community members who enroll for specific classes as points of personal interest.
Residential faculty are architects who not only worked in local architectural offices but have also operated their own successful architectural firms. Conducting classes in an office-like atmosphere, their professional expertise combined with years of teaching experience provides relevant, “real-world” insight as students prepare for the workplace.
Course work addresses typical construction practices and systems common to the greater Valley area specifically focusing on concrete masonry and wood frame construction.
Course Format
Classes are offered in a variety of formats: in-person, online, hybrid, day, evening, full-time and part-time.
Textbooks
Most of our courses use low-cost textbooks or no cost material provided by your instructors. General education courses may have textbooks that cost more.