Overview
Drafting and design professionals use CADD programs to prepare production drawings and illustrations for architectural and engineering firms. They help design building structures, civil projects and mechanical and manufacturing processes.
In our program, you'll learn to render a wide variety of technical systems, machines and products, visually interpret concepts and work with engineers to give form to ideas.
Our degree program covers three CADD programs and parametric modeling plus courses in architecture, machine design, civil design, blueprint reading and general education courses to earn a degree and transfer for a four-year degree.
Our 17-19 credit-hour certificate program covers the three CADD programs and parametric modeling.
Scholarship opportunity
The Black & Veatch Scholarship is available to students majoring in Computer Aided Drafting and Design. Recipients will be considered part of the Black & Veatch Scholars Program.
Throughout the school year, scholarship recipients will receive invitations to professional development and networking events as well as mentorship opportunities with Black & Veatch professionals. Connect with your advisor to learn more about eligibility requirements.
What you'll learn
You will learn to draft and design numerous projects, including building design, building information modeling and surveying. You will learn engineering graphics and multiple computer-aided drafting and design software packages.
Career and salary information
Visit the MoSCORES website for information on MCC's programs, including length, credit hours, and wage and employment data. Search Metropolitan Community College. Note: The historical data listed is informational and can vary based on the number of credit hours students earn, local wage conditions and other factors.
As an engineering technician, drafter, or designer, you can work at such companies as Black & Veatch, BlueScope Construction, Burns & McDonnell, Power Engineers, Evergy, BSE Structural Engineers and many more.
Transfer made simple
Many MCC students plan to transfer. Whatever your transfer destination, we'll work to make sure your credits move easily. That's why we're experts at it.
We've worked out specific transfer agreements with many four-year colleges and universities, so make sure you speak with an academic advisor before enrolling, particularly since transfer agreements can change based on curriculum revisions.
Learn more about MCC's seamless transfer
Frequently asked questions
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It takes two years to get an Associate in Applied Science degree if attending full-time. The certificate program includes evening classes that can be completed in two semesters. It is designed primarily for part-time students who may already work in the field.
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MCC is a great value. Our tuition is one of the lowest in the area - about 1/3 that of public four-year schools and a tiny fraction of private colleges.
We offer many ways to pay plus a tuition payment plan to make it even easier to afford college.
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Yes! We have a transfer agreement with the University of Central Missouri for a four-year bachelor's degree.
Check with your advisor or counselor and the transfer institution to make sure your transfer will go smoothly.
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Yes, you can test out of certain courses.
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Graduates of the Computer Aided Drafting and Design program are hired at architectural firms, surveying companies, engineering firms, manufacturing firms, illustration companies, the U.S. and state government, or may be self-employed.
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Some of the personal characteristics needed for this career:
- Active listening: Ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate and not interrupt at inappropriate times.
- Coordination: Adjust actions in relation to others' actions.
- Active learning: Understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Complex problem solving: Identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Mathematics: Use math to solve problems.
- Reading comprehension: Understand written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Critical thinking: Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Operations analysis: Analyze needs and product requirements to create a design.
- Instructing: Teach others how to do something.
- Speaking: Ability to talk to others to convey information effectively.
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MCC delivers the most cost-effective technical career preparation in Kansas City, MO. We are a publicly funded college with quality programs and full accreditation.
- Our classes combine instructor-led and on-line learning with hands-on lab work.
- We have state-of-the-art labs with the same equipment you'll find in industry.
- Industry-experienced professionals teach convenient day and evening classes.
- Our graduates are in demand.