Drafting and Design Technologies

(575) 528-7310      See the Program's Page

Associate of Applied Science Degrees

• Architectural Technology
• Civil/Survey Technology
• Mechanical Drafting and Solid Modeling
• Pre-Architecture

Certificates of Completion

• Architectural Technology
• Civil/Survey Technology
• Mechanical Drafting and Solid Modeling

The Drafting and Design Technologies Program provides students with a strong foundation in Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD), Architecture/Design, and relevant theory and concepts necessary to become successful in various related fields. These fields include Architecture, Architectural Technology, Civil/Survey Technology and Mechanical Drafting/Solid Modeling.

Excellent job and salary opportunities are available nationwide for Drafters/CAD specialists, technicians, architects, and engineers. With its rapid growth, southern New Mexico also has strong employment possibilities for graduates of the Drafting and Design Technologies Program. Students with previous related training and/or formal education may quickly qualify for more advanced positions, such as construction inspector or supervisor, contractor, technical animator, or senior drafter.

Within the Drafting and Design Technologies Program are four courses of study leading to associate of applied science degrees. These allow students to tailor their studies to their own interests and career aspirations.

• Architecture: Architectural theory & drawing; design studio/culture; architectural history; computer applications; introduction to construction principles & construction documents; presentation techniques
• Architectural Technology: Architectural 2-D and 3-D drafting, residential design, construction estimating, construction technology, architectural rendering and animation
• Civil/Survey Technology: Civil engineering drafting, surveying fundamentals, roadway construction drafting, land development drafting, and GIS training
• Mechanical Drafting and Solid Modeling: Mechanical drafting, machine/manufacturing fundamentals, basic mechanical design, parametric solid modeling, and animation

In addition to the associate degrees, the program also offers certificates of completion specializing in three option areas: Architectural Technology, Civil/Survey Technology, and Mechanical Drafting/Solid Modeling.

Future students who are still in high school are encouraged to take courses in mathematics, science, English, and drafting. Furthermore, Dual-Credit opportunities are available for high school students who wish to earn college credit while still in high school. These credits apply to both their high school credit requirements as well as the DACC Drafting & Design requirements. (For more information, refer to the section titled, “Early College Start,” within this Catalog.)

Architecture Program Overview

Students wishing to pursue a professional career in architecture may enroll in Architecture. Courses earn credit toward completion of the associate of applied science degree in Architecture at DACC, as well as toward the Bachelor of Arts/Science in Architecture at a‘transfer’ University Architecture Program of their choice. Depending on the transfer university, most credits earned under this degree are transferable to various university Architecture programs and apply toward Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Currently, the most popular transfer universities for DACC students include the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, N.M.), and Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Tex. & El Paso, Tex.), primarily due to proximity, ‘in-state’ tuition, and our written articulation agreements.

Acceptance into a transfer University’s Architecture Program requires an applications process as specified by the transfer university. This typically consists of an Admission Application, Letter of Intent, Creative Portfolio, and DACC Transcript. DACC cannot guarantee placement at any particular level into a transfer university’s architecture program as it is totally dependent on the student’s quality of portfolio/application, transcript at DACC, and the acceptance requirements of the university in question. For example, a final grade of B– or better is required in ARCT 101 and 104, and a final grade of C or better is required in all other courses of the DACC Architecture curriculum, in order to transfer to UNM. Potential students should contact the Architecture advisor at DACC for assistance regarding course scheduling and transfer procedures (575-528-7310).

NOTE: For all Associate Degrees and Certificates, a final grade of C or better is required in all DRFT and ARCT courses.

NOTE: Courses appearing in italics are identical to those offered at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus.

Associate Degree:
Architectural Technology (68 credits)

Associate Degree:
Civil/Survey Technology (68 credits)

Associate Degree:
Mechanical Drafting and Solid Modeling (68 credits)

Associate Degree:
Pre-Architecture (72 credits)

Certificate:
Architectural Technology (21 credits)

NOTE: The two courses listed under “prerequisites” can be taken in the DACC drafting program or through articulated courses at approved high schools.

Certificate: Civil/Survey Technology (22 credits)

NOTE: The two courses listed under “prerequisites” can be taken in the DACC drafting program or through articulated courses at approved high schools.

Certificate:
Mechanical Drafting and Solid Modeling (21 credits)

NOTE: The two courses listed under “prerequisites” can be taken in the DACC drafting program or through articulated courses at approved high schools.