Earn an Online Architectural Drafting Degree with Specialized Skills

Earning an online architectural drafting degree can be a game-changer for those who want to pursue a career in this field.

With an online degree, you can develop specialized skills in architectural drafting, such as proficiency in software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp.

You'll learn to create detailed drawings and models of buildings and other structures, which is a crucial skill in the industry.

Many online programs offer flexible scheduling, so you can balance your studies with work or other responsibilities.

Online architectural drafting degree programs often cover topics like building codes, construction methods, and sustainable design principles.

To earn an online architectural drafting degree, you'll need to complete a certain number of credit hours. The Drafting and Design Technology Program Requirements specify 44 credit hours.

You'll take a range of courses, including Fundamentals of Drafting, Mechanical Dimensioning & Tolerancing, and Resident Architect Drafting. These courses will give you a solid foundation in drafting and design.

Some courses, like DDT-200 Production Design Drafting, will focus on specific skills like production design. Others, like DDT-280 Drafting & Design Capstone, will bring all your knowledge together in a final project.

You'll also learn about manufacturing processes and materials in MFG-115 MFG Processes & Materials. This course will help you understand how your designs are made.

The program allows you to choose related electives from a range of subjects, including business, computer science, and engineering. This flexibility will help you tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.

Here are the specific courses you'll take in the Drafting and Design Technology Program:

You'll learn the fundamentals required for a successful career working as a Designer/Drafter/3-D Modeler. This includes CAD drawing and building systems to design.

The Architectural Design and Drafting program teaches you a myriad of industry skills necessary to work in this exciting field. You'll gain knowledge of technical drafting, construction document production, and architectural marketing.

You'll start with ARCH1100, Introduction to Architectural Drafting and Design, which covers academic preparation and career opportunities in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction. This course is a must-have for anyone looking to break into the industry.

Please note that all program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.

Coursework for an online architectural drafting degree typically includes a mix of foundational and advanced courses. You can expect to take around 44 credit hours of coursework, which can be completed in about 2 years.

Some of the key courses you'll take include Fundamentals of Drafting, Mechanical Dimensioning & Tolerancing, and Resident Architect Drafting. These courses will provide a solid foundation in drafting principles and techniques.

Here's a list of some of the courses you might take:

Electives may also be available in related fields like manufacturing, computer science, and engineering.

Studio 3 is a 4-credit course that develops a coordinated set of working drawings for a heavy commercial construction project. This course is a natural progression from Studio 2 and requires students to apply their knowledge of commercial construction principles.

Students in Studio 3 will advance their understanding of architectural and engineering systems and learn to schedule and manage construction document preparation. They'll also research and incorporate applicable codes into their work.

A key component of Studio 3 is the incorporation of advanced Building Information Modeling (BIM) strategies. This will help students develop a deeper understanding of how to use BIM to improve the construction process.

Studio 3 is a challenging course that requires critical thinking, problem-solving, and proficiency in software applications. Students who have successfully completed ARCH 1201 are well-prepared to tackle the demands of this course.

Arch1101 Studio 1 is a 4-credit course that introduces students to the basics of drafting and design. It's an essential course for anyone interested in construction, architecture, or engineering.

This course develops a set of working drawings for a residential construction project, which is a great way to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. Students learn about the history of drafting, drafting views, and basic drafting techniques.

The course covers residential terminology, basic document production, and best practices, which are all crucial skills for any construction professional. Emphasis is placed on document production for wood-frame construction and the use of Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) software in the design process.

Students also explore multi-family construction concepts, design considerations, and code implications, which helps them understand the complexities of residential design. An examination of the coordination and drafting of civil engineering information for residential design is also included.

This course is a great starting point for students who are new to drafting and design, and it provides a solid foundation for further study in architecture, construction, or engineering.

Studio 2 is a 4-credit course that builds on previous knowledge, requiring prerequisites of ARCH 1101, ARCH 1202, and ARCH 1203.

This course develops working drawings for a light commercial construction project, focusing on commercial construction principles and terminology.

Commercial construction projects involve the application of Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software to the design process.

Document management and advanced document production are key topics, with an emphasis on best practices.

Students learn to incorporate state and local building codes into architectural design, which is a crucial aspect of commercial construction projects.

By the end of this course, students will have a solid understanding of how to produce high-quality documents for steel-frame construction projects.

Studio 4 is a 4-credit course that guides students in developing working drawings for a commercial construction project. This advanced studio course is designed to help students manage a project workload from concept to completion.

In this course, students will advance their knowledge of construction materials and methods, as well as prepare construction details through analytical exercises of architectural detail vignettes. A progression to resourceful problem-solving of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) software will be incorporated.

Emphasis is placed on independent work, time management strategies, and the completion of deadline-driven tasks. Students will have to work efficiently to meet the demands of the course.

An exploration of current events and the Architecture and Engineering Industry is also included in the course curriculum. This will help students stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.

Statics and Strengths is a fundamental aspect of many architectural courses. It covers an introduction to structural theory and calculation.

This course is typically a prerequisite for more advanced courses in architecture.

Statics and Strengths of Materials, as seen in ARCH1404, includes analysis of forces, vectors, calculations of forces, moments and internal stresses and strains in structural materials.

In this course, students learn to trace load paths through the structure.

Understanding Statics and Strengths is crucial for architects to design safe and stable buildings.

The course ARCH1404, Statics and Strengths of Materials, requires prerequisites of MATH 125 and ARCH 1301.