rafting Technology: AutoCAD Bachelor's Degree

Drafters help design everything from buildings to shoes. With the advent of and reliance on computer technology, most drafting is done using computer software. This is referred to as computer-aided drafting (CAD) or computer-aided drafting and design (CADD). One of the programs used in CAD is AutoCAD, which is a brand name. Focusing on 2-D and 3-D design and drafting, AutoCAD is an integral part of drafting technology. Read on to learn more about a bachelor's degree dealing with AutoCAD. Schools offeringAutoCAD Drafting & Design Technology degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

What Can You Tell Me About a Drafting Technology AutoCAD Bachelor's Degree?

Degree programs in drafting technology don't necessarily specialize in AutoCAD, but many of them utilize it as the main CAD platform. AutoCAD is the most prominently used software in the practice of computer-aided design. You can most often locate AutoCAD instruction in CAD courses within an associate's degree program in drafting technology. Though rare, there are schools that offer bachelor's degree programs in design and drafting technology.

You might use the database maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to help you locate a drafting technology degree program that contains AutoCAD instruction. Also, the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) maintains an online directory of accredited schools that may offer AutoCAD instruction. You may also find the database of accredited programs maintained by the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) to be useful in your search.

What Can I Expect in a Program?

You can earn an Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Science in an area such as drafting technology or design and drafting by way of a program that consists of about 60 credits and can last two years. You may have an opportunity to specialize in an area such as civil, mechanical, electrical or electronic drafting.

If you decide not to enter the workforce immediately, you may have the opportunity to transfer credits earned toward a bachelor's degree program. A Bachelor of Science program generally consists of about 120 credits and takes four years to complete. Completion of a program may qualify you to become a civil, mechanical, electrical or industrial engineer.

Typical AutoCAD-related courses you might encounter include residential drafting and design, 3-D modeling, CAD, engineering technology, product design, architectural drafting, mechanical drafting, industrial design and graphics. You may have the opportunity to complete one or more internships at a school-partnered, independent firm.

What Can You Tell Me About Online Opportunities?

Though opportunities are rare, you can find schools that allow you to complete drafting technology programs online. More commonly, schools offer programs leading to CAD or AutoCAD certificates. In addition, Autodesk, the parent company of AutoCAD, offers many online courses in various applications and versions of AutoCAD.

What Are Some Employment and Wage Projections?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has made employment projections for the 2008-2018 (www.bls.gov) period. The BLS made it a point to mention that being well-trained in CADD is an important factor that can affect your employment and advancement potential.

If you decide to enter the workforce after earning an associate's degree in drafting technology, you'll find that opportunities for drafters in general will increase an average of four percent over that 10-year period. Civil drafters lead the projection at nine percent, while electrical or electronics drafters come in at a one percent increase. Positions for mechanical drafters should actually decrease one percent by 2018.

Should you go on to earn a bachelor's degree, you'll find the situation to be quite different. Opportunities for electrical and electronics engineers and mechanical engineers will only increase one percent and six percent, respectively. However, opportunities for industrial and civil engineers will increase 14% and 24%, respectively.

In 2010, the BLS determined mean annual wages. Civil drafters came in at $48,740, mechanical drafters at $51,200 and electrical drafters at $55,960.

The mean annual salary for industrial engineers was determined to be $78,430. Civil and mechanical engineers came in at $82,230 and $82,480, respectively. Electrical and electronics engineers topped the list at $87,770.