Computer Aided Drafting and Design / Surveying and Mapping Technology

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What is Computer Aided Drafting and Design?

Drafting and design are the backbone of American industry. For every product made or sold, drawings were used to describe it and communicate the design to the worker who made it.

Computer Aided Drafters are technical specialists with broad-based skills for architectural, civil, mechanical, and manufacturing fields. In this program, the students are taught manual drafting techniques and 2D and 3D CAD. The drafter is a skilled technician with a thorough understanding of the graphic language and is an indispensable contributor to the engineering design team. Construction workers use technical drawings and plans that drafters prepare, to build structures such as office buildings and houses. Surveyors depend on drafters to design and update civil maps, such as property survey maps, road construction design, and mining maps.

Surveying Technicians can work either in the drafting office or in the field operating equipment on a surveying crew. Students perform routine topographical, boundary and other mapping/surveying projects, as well as Global Positioning (GPS) surveys.

What are my career choices?

Architectural drafters draw architectural and structural features of buildings for new construction projects.

Civil drafters prepare drawings and topographical and relief maps used in major construction or civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood-control projects, and water and sewage systems.

Electrical drafters prepare wiring and layout diagrams used by workers who erect, install, and repair electrical equipment and wiring in communication centers, power plants, electrical distribution systems, and buildings.

Electronics drafters draw wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used in the manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic devices and components.

Mechanical drafters prepare drawings showing the detail and method of assembly of a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices, indicating dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements.

Process piping or pipeline drafters prepare drawings used in the layout, construction, and operation of oil and gas fields, refineries, chemical plants, and process piping systems.

What are my degree, diploma, or certificate options?

Diploma

• Computer Aided Drafting and Design

Certificates

• 3D Modeler
• Architectural Designer
• Building Information Modeling
• Civil Drafter
• Computer Assisted Drafter
• Detailer
• Drafter Assistant
• Surveying Technician I (Surveying and Mapping Technology)
• Surveying Technician II (Surveying and Mapping Technology)

Length of Program

You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status. 

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program meets state authorization for Kentucky residents. If you live or plan to live outside of the state of Kentucky, consult with your state’s licensing/certification board to determine if your chosen path of study will meet their requirements. KCTCS and HCTC continuously reviews licensure information and provides information about state's licensure status, search your state and program.