The IVC Drafting Program is designed to help students gain computer-aided design skills that are in demand across a wide array of technical fields including engineering, architectural design, and land development. In as little as one semester, students can learn the fundamentals of an industry standard CAD program and can greatly enhance their existing skillsets or gain access to a diverse job market with outstanding opportunities for long term growth.
View Transfer Options, Degrees & CertificatesThe IVC Drafting Program is designed to assist students in developing computer-aided design (CAD) skills for businesses involving manufacturing, construction, testing and design. Students receive advanced training on industry standard CAD programs such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, Revit, and Civil3D. Additional instruction is provided covering basic terminology, object identification, and modern business practices. Students are typically provided with free educational versions of software programs for home use and certification exams are available both online and through our testing center. Professions which utilize computer-aided drafting skills include mechanical engineering, civil engineering and land development, electrical drafting, and architectural drafting with building information modeling (BIM).
Program Length
The average time to completion for our Certificate of Achievement Award or AS Degree is approximately 4 semesters, or two years.
The average time to completion for one of our Certificates of Proficiency is approximately 3 semesters, or 18 months.
Transfer Options
The IVC drafting certificates have been designed to allow students to not only develop employable drafting skills, but prepare for university transfer as well. All courses within the Drafting Program maintain articulation agreements with our university partners, including UC Irvine, CalPoly Pomona, and Cal State Fullerton. Additionally, all drafting certificates contain a significant number of transferable engineering courses. This flexible design creates a direct pathway for students who wish to use their drafting courses as a foundation for completing our Engineering AS Degree and then transfer into a university engineering program.
Program Specific Support
Students enrolled in the Drafting Program enjoy a wide array of instructional services and benefits. All classes are currently offered within the dedicated learning facility at the ATEP campus where students have access to three advanced computer labs, a full machine shop, a wide array of highly advanced pieces of equipment, and dedicated faculty and staff members who specialize in STEM based education. Additionally, students who are interested in transfer programs will find that the college has one of the first dedicated transfer agreements in California through the IVC-UCI Engineering Academy.
Your Support Team
Your success is our priority! Whether you are just starting, in the middle of, or completing your time at IVC, we have a team of people in your corner to help keep you on-track to reach your goals at IVC and beyond!
Coming Soon: Completion Teams to get students from start to goal! Look for your team beginning fall 2021!
Transfer Options, Degrees and/or Certificates
Sample Academic Plans
- This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| Communication/Thinking | Communication/Analytical Thinking GE Course | 1B | 3-4 |
| ENGR 21 | Introduction to Engineering and Technology | Major | 1 |
| DR 50 | Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting | Major | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | Major | 3 |
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGR 23 | Engineering Graphics and Descriptive Geometry | Major | 3 |
| ENGR 7 | Introduction to Engineering Methods | Major | 4 |
| MATH 2 or Math 3A | Pre-Calculus or Analytic Geometry and Calculus | 1C & Major | 5 |
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 2 | 5 |
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR 103 | Introduction to Architectural Drafting | Major | 3 |
| ENGR 83 | Computer-Aided Design Techniques | Major | 3 |
| Physics 4A | General Physics | 2 | 5 |
| Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR 52 or ENGR 25 | Engineering Drawing and Design or Civil3D CAD | Major | 3 |
| Social Sciences | Social Sciences GE Course | 3 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | Major | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | Major | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
- Note: This sample academic plan does not account for the Ethnic Studies requirement for the AS degree.
- This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| DR 50 | Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting | 3 |
| ENGR 21 | Introduction to Engineering and Technology | 1 |
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR 23 | Engineering Graphics and Descriptive Geometry | 3 |
| ENGR 7 | Introduction to Engineering Methods | 4 |
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| DR 103 | Introduction to Architectural Drafting | 3 |
| ENGR 83 | Computer-Aided Design Techniques | 3 |
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| DR 52 or ENGR 25 | Engineering Drawing and Design or Civil3D CAD | 3 |
Note: This sample academic plan shows additional units for this certificate as compared to the IVC catalog due to prerequisite requirements.
- This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR 21 | Introduction to Engineering and Technology | 1 |
| ENGR 23 | Engineering Graphics and Descriptive Geometry | 3 |
| DR 103 | Introduction to Architectural Drafting | 3 |
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR 25 | 3D Civil Computer-Aided Design | 3 |
| GEOG 12 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 2 |
- This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR 21 | Introduction to Engineering and Technology | 1 |
| DR 50 | Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting | 3 |
| DR 52 | Engineering Drawing and Design | 3 |
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR 7 | Introduction to Engineering Methods | 4 |
| ENGR 83 | Computer-Aided Design Techniques | 3 |
- AA = Associate of Arts
- AS = Associate of Science
- AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer
- AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer
- COA = Certificate of Achievement
- COP = Certificate of Proficiency
Explore Careers Related to Drafting
Architectural Drafters
Median Salary
$62,704
Job Growth
-15%
Education
- Associate's Degree
- 18%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 55%
- Master's Degree
- 26%
Civil Drafters
Median Salary
$62,704
Job Growth
-15%
Education
- Certificate
- 14%
- Some College
- 19%
- Associate's Degree
- 48%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 19%
Commercial and Industrial Designers
Median Salary
$75,052
Job Growth
-23%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 4%
- Some College
- 15%
- Associate's Degree
- 12%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 68%
Electrical Drafters
Median Salary
$60,729
Job Growth
-25%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 16%
- Certificate
- 30%
- Some College
- 12%
- Associate's Degree
- 19%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 21%
- Master's Degree
- 2%
Electro-Mechanical Technicians
Median Salary
$63,356
Job Growth
-27%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 13%
- Certificate
- 30%
- Some College
- 13%
- Associate's Degree
- 41%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 3%
Electromechanical Engineering Technologists
Median Salary
$61,149
Job Growth
+14%
Education
- Certificate
- 22%
- Some College
- 11%
- Associate's Degree
- 9%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 58%
Electronic Drafters
Median Salary
$60,729
Job Growth
-25%
Education
- Certificate
- 38%
- Some College
- 2%
- Associate's Degree
- 51%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 9%
Industrial Engineering Technicians
Median Salary
$65,208
Job Growth
-6%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 22%
- Certificate
- 1%
- Some College
- 37%
- Associate's Degree
- 26%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 15%
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Median Salary
$57,701
Job Growth
+4%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 32%
- Certificate
- 48%
- Some College
- 1%
- Associate's Degree
- 7%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 8%
- Master's Degree
- 3%
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Median Salary
$39,980
Job Growth
-21%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 66%
- Certificate
- 14%
- Some College
- 7%
- Associate's Degree
- 10%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 3%
Mechanical Drafters
Median Salary
$60,295
Job Growth
-22%
Education
- Certificate
- 8%
- Some College
- 7%
- Associate's Degree
- 61%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 20%
- Master's Degree
- 3%
Mechanical Engineering Technicians
Median Salary
$73,905
Job Growth
-15%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 4%
- Certificate
- 23%
- Some College
- 5%
- Associate's Degree
- 17%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 51%
Mechanical Engineering Technologists
Median Salary
$61,149
Job Growth
+14%
Education
- Certificate
- 15%
- Associate's Degree
- 37%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 48%
Programmers of Computer and Numerically Controlled Machine Tools
Median Salary
$70,183
Job Growth
+8%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 24%
- Certificate
- 41%
- Some College
- 7%
- Associate's Degree
- 19%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 10%
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
Median Salary
$96,856
Job Growth
+32%
Education
- Certificate
- 36%
- Some College
- 11%
- Associate's Degree
- 11%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 32%
- Master's Degree
- 11%
City and Regional Planning Aides
Median Salary
$49,733
Job Growth
+16%
Education
- Some College
- 10%
- Associate's Degree
- 5%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 35%
- Master's Degree
- 50%
Civil Engineering Technicians
Median Salary
$70,789
Job Growth
-19%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 3%
- Certificate
- 30%
- Some College
- 28%
- Associate's Degree
- 21%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 18%
Cost Estimators
Median Salary
$71,534
Job Growth
-20%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 5%
- Certificate
- 9%
- Associate's Degree
- 5%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 64%
- Master's Degree
- 18%
Geophysical Data Technicians
Median Salary
$75,992
Job Growth
-16%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 14%
- Certificate
- 6%
- Some College
- 5%
- Associate's Degree
- 18%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 29%
- Master's Degree
- 28%
Mapping Technicians
Median Salary
$81,889
Job Growth
+8%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 9%
- Certificate
- 13%
- Some College
- 14%
- Associate's Degree
- 10%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 48%
- Master's Degree
- 5%
Surveying Technicians
Median Salary
$81,889
Job Growth
+8%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 25%
- Certificate
- 21%
- Some College
- 17%
- Associate's Degree
- 33%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 4%
Surveyors
Median Salary
$103,685
Job Growth
-5%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 16%
- Certificate
- 3%
- Some College
- 6%
- Associate's Degree
- 32%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 42%
Traffic Technicians
Median Salary
$49,941
Job Growth
+16%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 43%
- Certificate
- 10%
- Some College
- 23%
- Associate's Degree
- 12%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 12%
Industrial Engineering Technologists
Median Salary
$61,149
Job Growth
+14%
Education
- H.S. Diploma or Less
- 15%
- Certificate
- 2%
- Associate's Degree
- 14%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 68%
Not sure if Drafting is the right fit?
That's OK!
Begin with the Exploratory Interest Area and explore Drafting while still working toward your academic goals.
Or speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.
