Architectural and Civil CAD Technology
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Architectural and Civil CAD Technology degree is designed to prepare students for careers in Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) including, but not limited to, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil Engineering offices; Landscape Architects or related fields. The goal of this program is to broaden design exposure and CAD technology skills. Students develop two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) drawings and models utilizing industry standard CAD and BIM software, and learn presentation methods and construction documentation conventions.
Details
Field of Interest
Applied Technology
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Architectural and Civil CAD Technology (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3503
Total credits required
60-67
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
What You'll Learn
- Apply current standards in dimensioning, symbology, linetypes, lineweights, drawing notes for working drawings, design related drawings to read, interpret, and produce construction documents and portfolio-quality working drawings.
- Use the latest 2D, 3D, and 3D parametric modeling CAD software to develop technical drawings and solid models in a manner that is efficient and compliant with standard industry practices.
- Utilize BIM concepts in project development.
- Employ the principles and theory of construction processes.
- Apply construction industry codes and standards.
- Produce sketches, multi-view layouts, sections, details, working drawings, and building components schedules.
- Utilize traditional modeling techniques and 3D printing for project conceptualization.
- Communicate with others in verbal and in written form to collaboratively solve problems within the discipline.
- Use a fundamental understanding of scientific inquiry to solve basic problems within the discipline of design.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career Statistics
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
Architectural and Civil Drafters
Commercial and Industrial Designers
Landscape Architects
There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:
- Drafters, All Other
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAD100 | Fundamentals of 2D Autocad | Critical course Gateway course | 3 | ||
| CAD101 | Elements of CAD Graphics (AutoCAD) | Critical course Gateway course | 3 | ||
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
| MAT15+ | College Algebra/Functions | Critical course OR Any higher approved general education course in the Mathematics area | MA | 3–6 | |
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | HU | 3 | ||
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLT263++ | Building Codes | Critical course | 3 | ||
| CAD105 or CAD106 |
Fundamentals of Revit Architecture or Fundamentals of Civil 3D | Critical course | 3 | ||
| CAD201 | Three-Dimensional (3D) Modeling and Advanced CAD Techniques | Critical course | 3 | ||
| DFT126 | Building Trades Blueprint Reading | 3 | |||
| ENG102 or ENG108 or ENG111 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL or Technical and Professional Writing | FYC or FYC or L | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 1–3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | ||
| CAD167 or CAD186 |
Architectural Drawings I (Revit): Residential CAD or Site Development I | 3 | |||
| CAD235 | Modeling, Rendering and Animation for Technical Presentations | 3 | |||
| SB | Social-Behavioral Sciences | SB | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAD267 or CAD286 |
Architectural Drawings II (Revit): Commercial CAD or Site Development II | Critical course | 3 | ||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
| PHY101 or PHY111 |
Introduction to Physics or General Physics I | Critical course | SQ or SQ | 4 | |
| RE | Restricted Elective | 3 | |||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAD100 | Fundamentals of 2D Autocad | Critical course Gateway course | 3 | ||
| CAD101 | Elements of CAD Graphics (AutoCAD) | Critical course Gateway course | 3 | ||
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAD105 or CAD106 |
Fundamentals of Revit Architecture or Fundamentals of Civil 3D | 3 | |||
| CAD201 | Three-Dimensional (3D) Modeling and Advanced CAD Techniques | 3 | |||
| MAT15+ | College Algebra/Functions | Critical course OR Any higher approved general education course in the Mathematics area | MA | 3–6 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAD167 or CAD186 |
Architectural Drawings I (Revit): Residential CAD or Site Development I | 3 | |||
| CAD235 | Modeling, Rendering and Animation for Technical Presentations | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLT263++ | Any Building Codes course | Critical course | 3 | ||
| CAD267 or CAD286 |
Architectural Drawings II (Revit): Commercial CAD or Site Development II | 3 | |||
| SB | Social-Behavioral Sciences | SB | 3 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DFT126 | Building Trades Blueprint Reading | Critical course | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 3 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | HU | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 3 |
Term 7
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG102 or ENG108 or ENG111 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL or Technical and Professional Writing | FYC or FYC or L | 3 | ||
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 1–3 |
Term 8
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHY101 or PHY111 |
Introduction to Physics or General Physics I | Critical course | SQ or SQ | 4 | |
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
| RE | Restricted Elective | 3 |
Footnote
Restricted Electives
Students must select an additional ten to twelve (10-12) credit hours from the following course options such that the total credits for the degree is a minimum of 60 credits. Selected courses will not apply to both Required Courses and Restricted Electives areas.
CAD105 Fundamentals of Revit Architecture
CAD106 Fundamentals of CivilD
CAD145 Design Principles for Industry
CAD167 Architectural Drawings I (Revit): Residential CAD
CAD186 Site Development I
CAD267 Architectural Drawings II (Revit): Commercial CAD
CAD286 Site Development II
CAD287 Advanced Revit Techniques
CAD292 Current Developments in CAD Technology
(CAD292 may repeat up to four (4) times on different topics)
Courses selected from the following Restricted Electives options require prior approval by Department Advisor or Program Director
CAD+++++ Any CAD Computer-Aided Drafting course(s) OR
CIS+++++ Any CIS Computer Information Systems course(s) OR
ECE+++++ Any ECE Engineering Science course(s)
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- FYC = First Year Composition
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=188115).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.