Best Colleges for Architectural Drafting and Design

Architectural drafters and designers draw up the plans of buildings. Working closely with architects and other professionals in the building industry, they may specialize in the kind of buildings they work on - residential, commercial or industrial - and also in the materials used for these buildings, such as concrete, steel or wood. Read on to see what programs are available to help you enter this career.

What Program Level in Architectural Drafting and Design is Best for Me?

Programs in architectural drafting and design are offered at the certificate and associate's degree levels. Both are usually aimed at preparing the student for an entry-level position. Some certificate programs also allow students entry into an associate's degree program, while some associate's degree programs prepare students for further study in an architecture program at the four-year level.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for all drafters are expected to show little growth from 2018 to 2028. Computer-aided design (CAD) software nowadays allows architects to do many of the tasks that used to be done by drafters, which suppresses the demand for drafters. Competition for jobs in this field is predicted to be quite strong because the number of students in architectural drafting programs is more than the number of available positions. Therefore, an associate's degree will make you more competitive when looking to start out in this industry.

What Topics Are Covered in Certificate Programs for Architectural Drafting and Design?

In certificate programs, you can expect to learn about technical drawing, engineering technologies, the fundamentals of CAD and 3D design. Other areas covered are construction technology, interior finishes and applications, construction documentation, computer graphics and building information modeling. Students also learn to work with several widely used CAD software programs such as Revit, ArchiCAD and SketchUp.

Which Certificate Programs Will Prepare Me for Architectural Drafting and Design?

These certificate programs will prepare you for an entry-level position as an architectural drafter and designer. Some will also count towards an associate's degree if you want to study further.

• Central Ohio Technical College, in Newark, offers a one-year Architectural Computer Aided Drafting Certificate.
• Anne Arundel Community College, in Arnold, Maryland, has an Architecture and Interior Design, Architectural CAD, Certificate.
• Clark College, in Vancouver, Washington, offers a Certificate of Proficiency in Architectural Computer Aided Design & Drafting.
• Daytona State College, in Daytona Beach, Florida, has a Certificate in AutoCAD Foundations (Architectural).

What Can I Expect to Learn About in an Associate's Degree Program?

Associate's degree programs in architectural drafting and design typically cover topics such as building construction materials and methods, digital tools in architecture, art and architecture history, building codes, materials science, technical drawing, 3D design and CAD software programs.

Topics also cover how to effectively communicate your designs to other role-players, principles of macro- and microeconomics, math and how to create a portfolio for future employment or further study.

Which Colleges Offer an Associate's Degree in Architectural Drafting and Design?

These colleges all have either an associate's degree program focusing exclusively on architecture or a drafting and design program where the student can choose to specialize in architecture.

• The Allan Hancock College, in Santa Maria, California, offers an Associate in Science in Architectural Drafting.
• Eastfield College, in Mesquite, Texas, has an Associate of Applied Science in Computer-Aided Design and Drafting program with a series of electives that allow the student to specialize in architecture.
• Honolulu Community College, in Hawaii, offers an Associate in Science in Architectural, Engineering and CAD Technologies with an architectural technology track.
• Santa Fe Community College, in New Mexico, has an Associate in Applied Science in Architectural and Interior Design Technologies program.

What Are My Certification Options in Architectural Drafting and Design?

Certification is not mandatory, but it will demonstrate your knowledge and competence, and may improve your chances for career advancement.

Through the American Design Drafting Association, you can become a Certified Design Drafter, for which you need a postsecondary qualification and three to five years' work experience. They also have an associate membership for drafters with less than five years' experience and professional membership for those with more than five years' experience.