Program Information
All successful projects start with a good plan. For architects, engineering designers, CAD drafters, and builders, that plan comes in the form of working drawings produced by technically talented and well-trained individuals. If you have a desire to express your knowledge through computer-aided design software, San Jacinto College can give you the skills you need to make your way into this exciting field. This degree allows you to pursue careers that strike a satisfying balance between creativity, technical proficiency, and attention to detail. You can make yourself an indispensable asset in a variety of fields, such as architecture, manufacturing, engineering, construction, and the oil and gas industry, with a degree in engineering design graphics.
Central campus offers Engineering Design Graphics foundation courses: DFTG 1305 Introduction to Technical Drawing, DFTG 1409 Basic Computer-Aided Drafting, and DFTG 2317 Descriptive Geometry. Classes will be held in Building 45, the LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology building. Students can check the online Schedule of Classes for days and times.
The Engineering Design Graphics program at San Jacinto College:
- Trains students to translate the ideas of designers, engineers, and architects from rough sketches, design layouts, specifications, and calculations into working drawings, maps, plans, illustrations, and 3D models; and
- Offers students the skills needed to prepare technical drawings and/or 3D models using Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), design, and 3D modeling software.
Students must select from one of the four areas:
- Architectural/Civil/Structural
- General
- Mechanical
- Petro/Industrial
Career Opportunities
Growth in Houston’s diversified job markets has created employment openings for drafters. Career opportunities for drafters are available in:
- Architecture;
- Engineering: Electrical, Instrumentation, Structural, Civil;
- Manufacturing;
- Oil, Energy, and Petrochemical; and
- Public Works.
Earning Potential
Architectural drafter: $58,5621 per year
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Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2023
For more information, students may contact North campus, 281-998-6350, x7765; Central campus, 281-476-1836; and South campus, 281-998-6350, x3587.
Campuses
Central Campus
North Campus
South Campus
Information
Engineering Design Graphics (EDG) is a technical field where engineering data is communicated through drawings and three-dimensional models. Drafters provide support to designers, architects, and all types of engineers, preparing documentation and creating finished drawings for production in the engineering, construction, or manufacturing industries. Drafters translate the ideas of engineers and architects from rough sketches, design layouts, specifications, and calculations into working drawings, maps, plans, illustrations, and 3D models that are used in producing marketable products. They prepare drawings and/or 3D models using computer-aided drafting, design, and 3D modeling software in the fields of mechanical, petrochemical, architectural, civil, and structural engineering.
The EDG department provides several certificate levels and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree options. Working with local industry, courses have been clustered into specialty disciplines that provide concentration in specific areas of study. They include: Architectural/Civil/Structural, General, Mechanical, and Petro/Industrial.
Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.
Students who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree after graduation from San Jacinto College may want to consider programs at Lamar University. Lamar will accept credit for students with an AAS in Engineering Design Graphics—Architecture. Interested students may find more information on the Lamar transfer website.
Plan of Study
3DFT-A
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| DFTG 1305 | Introduction to Technical Drawing | 3 |
| DFTG 1409 | Basic Computer-Aided Drafting | 4 |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture (Humanities) or Creative Arts (Fine Arts) | 3 | |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Second Term | ||
| DFTG 1417 | Architectural Drafting-Residential | 4 |
| ARCE 1421 | Architectural Illustration | 4 |
| DFTG 2317 | Descriptive Geometry | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Speech Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Business and Professional Speech | ||
| Credits | 14 | |
| Summer Year One Term | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences or Government/Political Science or American History | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Term | ||
| ARCE 1452 | Structural Drafting | 4 |
| DFTG 2421 | Topographic Drafting | 4 |
| DFTG 2428 | Architectural Drafting-Commercial | 4 |
| MATH 1332 or MATH 1314 | Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) or College Algebra | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| ARCE 1415 | Structural Steel Detailing | 4 |
| DFTG 1430 | Civil Drafting I | 4 |
| DFTG 2431 | Advanced Technologies in Architectural Design and Drafting | 4 |
| DFTG 2386 or DFTG 2338 | Internship-Drafting and Design Technology/Technician 1 or Final Project - Advanced Drafting | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Capstone Experience:1 DFTG 2386 Internship-Drafting and Design Technology/Technician or DFTG 2338 Final Project - Advanced Drafting
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The course selected to satisfy the Capstone Experience (DFTG 2386 Internship-Drafting and Design Technology/Technician or DFTG 2338 Final Project - Advanced Drafting) can only be taken during or after the term in which the last required engineering design graphics courses are completed.
Courses may be applied to earn the Certificate of Technology, then the Level 2 Certificate, and finally the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree when the courses are in the same specialty discipline.
Courses do not have to be taken in this order unless a course has a prerequisite.
For more detailed information on this program, contact the Department Chair or faculty.
If you do not see your transfer school, please follow the Plan of Study. For more information, contact the Department Chair on your campus. Please speak to an advisor at San Jacinto College and the transfer institution to ensure this Transfer Plan is accurate and complete. For a list of all MAPs, students may go to Transfer Plans A-Z. Students may filter for specific universities, disciplines, or degrees, and print individual MAPs.