If you’ve got the inclination to draw, design, problem-solve and create order, think about a career in Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD). You'll learn to prepare the kind of technical drawings used to build everything from manufactured products — such as toys, toasters, industrial machinery and spacecraft — to structures such as houses, office buildings, and oil pipelines.
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) at a Glance
2 months-1 year to complete1
$1,386-$2,871 tuition2
- Eastfield
- Mountain View
- Richland3
2 years to complete1
$5,940 tuition2
- Eastfield
- Mountain View3
What Can I Study?
I Want to Go to Work
-
Workforce Certificates
- AutoCAD Specialist $1,680 2 months
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Entry-Level Drafter $2,820 2 months
-
Credit Certificates
- Advanced Architectural Drafting Certificate $2,871 18 months
- Advanced Mechanical Drafting Certificate $2,871 18 months
- Architectural Drafting Certificate $1,782 8 months
- Architectural Drafting Occupational Skills Award $1,386 8 months
- Civil Drafting Certificate $1,782 8 months
- Civil Drafting Occupational Skills Award $1,386 8 months
- Mechanical Drafting Certificate $1,782 8 months
- Mechanical Drafting Occupational Skills Award $1,386 8 months
Can I Get a Job?
Dallas College offers a variety of certificates and degrees to help you gain the skills you need to start working right away.
- These credentials are often considered Career and Technical Education (CTE).
- These credentials are established with the assistance and cooperation of representatives from local business, to meet local and regional employment needs.
- Higher level certificates and degrees will typically lead to a higher salary in the workforce.
- Workforce (CE) Certificates can often be completed faster than traditional credit certificates but typically do not offer college credit.
- Level 1, Level 2, Enhanced Skills certificates and others, offer college credit and are often stackable to help you build skills as you work towards an Associate Degree.
- Workforce credentials may give you college credit at Dallas College, but they may not transfer to other colleges or universities.
If you're unsure if this is the right path for you, you can talk to a Pathway Specialist for advice.
Pathway Specialist
- 972-669-6400
- PathwaySpecialist@DallasCollege.edu
What Can I Earn? Will There Be Plenty of Jobs?
Architectural and Civil Drafters
$30/hr
Median Salary
407
Job Openings
+11%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Reading Comprehension
- Complex Problem Solving
- Systems Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Active Listening
- Time Management
- Monitoring
CNC Programmers
$34/hr
Median Salary
48
Job Openings
+20%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Programming
- Monitoring
- Operations Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Systems Analysis
Commercial and Industrial Designers
$36/hr
Median Salary
70
Job Openings
+14%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Speaking
- Operations Analysis
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
- Writing
- Monitoring
Mechanical Drafters
$34/hr
Median Salary
94
Job Openings
+5%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Analysis
- Instructing
- Monitoring
All jobs data gathered for Dallas/Fort Worth. Source: Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence and Lightcast4.
“You should never stop learning in today’s world. If you do, you get left behind like the dinosaurs. Once you have knowledge, though, no one can take it away from you. The most important thing I learned is how to have the tools you need in today’s workforce.” Read Mike Walker's story.
A flexible curriculum allows you to specialize in many different types of computer aided design. Our laboratories contain PC and Sun workstations along with printers, plotters and overhead teaching devices. Laboratory computers also feature the latest releases of AutoCAD, Architectural Desktop, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Viz 4, Coreldraw and other CAD software. Home study and online courses leading to certificates and degrees are also offered.
Find Out More About Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Sign up to receive additional information about Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) or call 972-669-6400.
School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
- 214-378-1560
- AskMIT@DallasCollege.edu
Dallas College
- 972-669-6400
- Text College to 214-978-6457
- StudentHelp@DallasCollege.edu
1Length of time is based on catalog degree plans. Prerequisites may be required, which are not included in this estimate. For most programs, full-time student status is assumed, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
2Cost is based on tuition rates for program hours for Dallas County residents. The price of most required learning materials (books, software, supplies, etc.) is included with the price of tuition. Visit our Paying for College site to learn more about cost, financial aid, scholarships and more.
3Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options. Not all degree and certificate offerings are available for admission/start at all campuses every semester.
4A portion of Lightcast’s data comes from O*NET Online by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Lightcast has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.