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SOWELA Technical Community College

Drafting and Design Technology

Program Mission

The mission of the Drafting and Design Technology program is to provide students an opportunity to obtain board and computer drafting skills needed for employment and career advancement.

Program Description

The Drafting program provides a safe and healthy environment for learning, encourages students to become critical thinkers, and attempts to establish a relationship with students and employers that promote upgrading skills for advancement in their drafting career.

In this program, students learn the board and computer drafting skills needed for structural, architectural, civil/surveying, electrical, machine/manufacturing, piping, and materials drafting. Coursework covers computer-aided drafting, drawing, design, computer technology, and drafting theory. Available at the Main Campus in Lake Charles.

Accredited by ATMAE - The Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering

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Curriculum

Drafting & Design Technology-151301-AAS
Course No.Course TitleLectureLabTotal Credit Hrs
Semester 1
CADD 1101Computer Aided Drafting I134
DRFT 1101Drafting Fundamentals112
DRFT 1102Geometric Construction112
DRFT 1103Pictorial/Working Drawing112
DRFT 1104Machine Drawing112
General Education Course303
15
Semester 2
CADD 1201Computer Aided Drafting II134
DRFT 1201Section Drawing112
DRFT 1205Measurements & Materials112
DRFT 2301Architecture I123
General Education Course303
14
Semester 3
DRFT 2401Architecture II123
DRFT 2402Civil/Surveying133
DRFT 2303Machines/Manufacturing123
DRFT 2304Piping123
General Education Course303
15
Semester 4
DRFT 2305Structural/Strength of Material123
DRFT 2302Electrical & Electronics123
DRFT 2404Specialization224
General Education Course303
General Education Course303
AAS – Drafting and Design Technology (60)16
Total Clock Hours1320
Drafting & Design Technology-151301-Diploma Certificate Option
Course No.Course TitleLectureLabTotal Credit Hrs
CTS - Engineering Aide (23)
CADD 1101Computer Aided Drafting I134
DRFT 1101Drafting Fundamentals112
DRFT 1102Geometric Construction112
DRFT 1103Pictorial/Working Drawing112
DRFT 1104Machine Drawing112
CADD 1201Computer Aided Drafting II134
DRFT 1201Section Drawing112
DRFT 1205Measurements & Materials112
DRFT 2301Architecture I123
23
CTS - Entry Level Drafter (32)
DRFT 2401Architecture II123
DRFT 2402Civil/Surveying133
DRFT 2303Machines/Manufacturing123
9
TD - Drafting and Design Technician (45)
DRFT 2305Structural/Strength of Material123
DRFT 2302Electrical & Electronics123
DRFT 2304Piping123
DRFT 2404Specialization224
13
Total Clock Hours1095

Program Information

CIP Code: 151301

Program Type: Associate of Applied Science

Program Length: 60 Semester Credits

Program Resources

Program Learning Outcomes

Enrollment (Drafting and Design Technology)
Academic YearStudents Enrolled
2018-201969
2019-202059
2020-202158
2021-202261
2022-202355
2023-202461
2024-202561
Annual Completions (Drafting and Design Technology)
Academic YearAssociate's DegreeTechnical DiplomaCertificate of Technical StudiesTotal
2020-2021101112
2021-20221021115
2022-202313—1427
2023-202416—1026
2024-2025811827
Fall to Fall Retention Rates for All Enrolled Students in the Program (Drafting and Design Technology)
Academic TermsNumber Retained in Program/Total EnrolledRetention Rate
Fall 2021 to Fall 202234/6552.3%
Fall 2022 to Fall 202330/5752.6%
Fall 2023 to Fall 202436/6357.1%
Mean Grade Point Averages of the 2024-25 Graduating Class (Drafting and Design Technology)
AwardMean GPA
AAS Drafting and Design Technology3.35
TD Drafting and Design Technician3.35
CTS Entry Level Drafter3.30
CTS Engineering Aide3.28
Average Years to Complete the Degree (Drafting and Design Technology)
AwardAverage Years
AAS Drafting and Design Technology2.4
TD Drafting and Design Technician2.4
CTS Entry Level Drafter2.5
CTS Engineering Aide1.9

In 2024-2025, 84 Drafting and Design Technology students received an average of $5,785.32 in grants and scholarships.

Tuition Expenses to Complete the Entire Program/Option (Drafting and Design Technology)
AwardEstimated Tuition
AAS Drafting and Design Technology$8,035.80
TD Drafting and Design Technician$6,026.85
CTS Entry Level Drafter$4,285.75
CTS Engineering Aide$3,080.39
Drafting and Design Technology - GPA Data
MetricValue
Total Months Enrolled to Grad Term46.93
GPA of Students With Awards3.19
All Students AY Mean GPA2.209

Employment Data

Feedback from alumni of SOWELA's Drafting and Design Technology program indicated the graduates have strong placement rates as they typically start out as CAD Drafters. Salaries range from $35,000 - $76,800. Ninety percent of the graduates from 2022-24 were employed before graduation.

Contact Information

Aaron Goodman

aaron.goodman@sowela.edu

(337) 421-6984

Read about SOWELA's Transfer Agreements with other colleges and universities.