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Drafting Design

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Drafting Design 2025-04-03T15:29:32+00:00

Drafting Design

Draft Your Way to a Bright Future

Drafting design is ideal for individuals who enjoy both technical work and creative problem-solving. Drafters play a critical role in bringing concepts to life, from buildings and machines to consumer products and public infrastructure. Seeing your designs take shape in the real world can be highly  fulfilling. In this specialized field, you will work with leading edge software that can lead to careers in fields such as architecture, civil engineering, or
mechanical design, depending on your interests.

Drafting Design Program at Highline College

Drafting Design Program Video

Course Highlights

  • Manually Drafting
  • Industry Standard software
  • Drawing and sketching
  • Sustainable Design
  • Architectural and Mechanical Drafting

Academic Pathway

Drafting Design

A broad range of technical and scientific industries require computer-generated technical drawings, making CAD drafting skills valuable in many fields, such as architecture, manufacturing, electronics and engineering. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions as CAD drafters.

Careers

In King and Pierce counties, the median advertised salary for Drafting Designers with an associate’s  degree is $62,200 per year, which is higher than the national average. (Lightcast 2024). Job growth is holding steady over time.

Sample Careers:

  • Drafting Detailer
  • Architectural, Mechanical, or Civil Drafter
  • CAD Technician (Computer-Aided Design)

Learn more about certificate graduation rates and the median debt of students who have completed a certificate program

Program Information

Program Cost:  Approximately $5,743 per academic year (45 credits), includes tuition, books, and required fees. Fees may vary by program. Costs are subject to change.

Program Length:  Two years for full-time students (full-time is 12 credits or more).  Students may also attend part-time.

 

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The AAS in Drafting Design transfers directly into the Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Integrated Design at Highline College, opening doors for promotion, increased salary, and enhanced creative design.

The Drafting and Integrated Design programs at Highline College are beneficial to my career goals. I have been able to acquire most skills required in  my job market through the projects that we take on in different classes. I used my coursework portfolio when looking for a position at my current job.   student that is looking for well laid out classes and has a passion in drafting/design would really benefit from this program. I also like that the student  to instructor ratio is low. This means the instructor has enough time with every student. —JAMES MWANGI KARIITHI