New student information
Image courtesy of Kristen Mohr Architectural Design & Drafting graduate, 2018
Overview:?Architectural Design & Drafting
Sylvania Campus, Building HT, Room 207 Program Advisor: CJ Dunn
Department Co-Chairs: Rebeca Cotera and Peter Gramlich
Architectural Designer/Drafters design and remodel homes and small commercial buildings. They use CAD software to draft and illustrate their own designs, or those of architects or engineers; including those used for building permits and construction. Although drafters spend much of their time working on computers in an office environment, some visit job sites to collaborate with others, or to take measurements and collect data from the site to make preliminary drawings of existing conditions.
PCC is the only two-year Associates of Applied Science degree in Architectural Design and Drafting in Oregon.
Graduates get hired to work in three primary areas: Mid and larger architectural firms hire our graduates to work with teams, usually doing CAD drawings and 3-D modeling. Engineering firms, doing AutoCAD drawings and 3D modeling for structural or mechanical systems within architect-designed buildings. Design/Build firms that have in-house designers as well as builders; like ARCiform, Lamont Bros. and Neil Kelly. Also, larger developers like DR Horton.
We are a strong technical design program. The work is very project oriented, and deadline driven, with much emphasis on detailed drawings and an ability to research and solve problems. Students will need to have strong basic computer skills and an interest in construction technology. The software PCC currently uses is the most current versions of Revit and AutoCAD, with options to learn Chief Architect, Bluebeam and Adobe Suite as elective courses. Students also have access to CAD tutoring and a computer lab.
Our program
Students can attend full or part-time and classes are offered in both the daytime and evening.
There is no application process and no prerequisites to register for introductory first term classes. Students can begin the program any term during the year. First year classes focus on foundational coursework in construction and design/drafting concepts, second year focuses on design and application. Classes are offered either Online or In Person at the Sylvania Campus. See FAQ below for more.
Students must meet PCC General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science degree and maintain a C grade or higher in all ARCH coursework.
The Architectural Design and Drafting program is not a transfer program. If you are considering transferring to a four-year college or university for architecture, please plan to work with a general pathway advisor for information about a general transfer degree. We also recommend working with a program advisor within the architecture program at the school where you wish to attend.
?General education requirements
All candidates for the Associate of Applied Science in Architectural Design and Drafting must complete 4 classes from three general education discipline areas and complete a math and writing competency requirement. The 4 classes must include at least one course (and no more than eight credits) from each of the following three categories:
- Arts and Humanities
- Social Science
- Mathematics (> 100 level) OR Natural and Physical Science OR Computer Studies
- An additional general education class to satisfy the 4-class requirement.
Writing and Math requirements
Students will also be required to complete competency requirements in Writing and Math including:
- Pass WR 121 or a lower division writing course with a prerequisite of WR 121 with a grade of C or higher
- Math competency may be satisfied by scoring above Math 65 on the placement exam or completing Math 58 or 65. One note, if the placement test determines you should take Math 20 (meaning you “place at” Math 20), it is suggested you complete this class within the first few terms at PCC, so you will be ready to take our structures classes. See more information about placement: placement process.
General Education and Writing competency requirements may be waived for students with a previous A.A., A.A.S., B.S., B.A. or B.F.A. degree from an accredited United States institution.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply to PCC?
Applying to PCC is done online; it’s easy and free of cost. See more: Enroll at PCC.
Do I need to apply separately to the Architectural Design and Drafting program?
The Architectural Design and Drafting program does not have a separate application. Once you are admitted to PCC, you can enroll in our classes.
What classes are required for the Associate of Applied Science degree in Architectural Design & Drafting?
Here is the link for the classes required for our degree: Architectural Design and Drafting catalog.
Are there any prerequisites to begin the program?
There are no prerequisites to begin the classes for our program.
Do I need to attend the program full time?
You may take as many or as few classes as you like. You do not need to attend full time.
Do I need to begin the program in the fall?
Students may enter our program any term: fall, winter, spring, or summer. You do not need to begin in the fall.
Can I transfer credits from another college?
Yes, here is a link for detailed information on how to transfer previous college credits to PCC: Transfer credits to PCC.
Can I transfer credits in architecture classes from another college?
If you have previous college credits related to architecture, please e-mail the program co-chair: rebeca.cotera@pcc.edu and attach an unofficial transcript. The chair will review your credits for potential transfer into our program.
How do I know what classes to enroll in?
To select classes for your first term, you can refer to the first term course planner.?Make sure to reach out to CJ, our program’s student advisor for help with questions regarding which classes to take, previous college credit, course substitutions or any other question. craig.dunn@pcc.edu.
What kind of computer do I need for the CAD programs?
It is recommended that you use a PC-based computer, not a Mac. Here is a link for some information related to computers, so that you can take online classes, remote classes, and operate the CAD software: technology requirements.
What CAD programs will my classes use?
Our program teaches two main CAD programs: AutoCAD and Revit. Our choices for these classes are based on what the design industry is currently using.
How much does the CAD software cost?
AutoCAD and Revit are provided by Autodesk free of charge to students. When you take the classes to learn the software, your instructor will guide you through the download, install and licensing process on the first day of class.
How much is the tuition at PCC?
The tuition and fees at the college are based on the number of credits taken during a given term, plus several types of fees. Here is the link for information on tuition & fees at PCC: tuition and fees.
What type of financial aid is available at PCC?
PCC has a team of advisors to help with financial applications; here is the link: financial aid.
Are the Arch classes at PCC offered remotely?
We learned from the pandemic that many classes can be successfully delivered remotely through D2L Brightspace, PCC’s online learning platform. Most of our lecture type, as well as CAD classes will continue to be available in a remote format however, our design type classes, are scheduled for hybrid, meaning there will be a once per week in-person session at our Sylvania campus. Hybrid is a combo of in-person and remote. These are the courses that currently have hybrid or in-person requirements: 100, 101, 110, 104, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204 and 224.?In some cases, the in-person sessions may be optional, depending on the instructor. However, the design studios use the in-person sessions for direct one-on-one instructor feedback, along with CAD tutoring. So, missing the in-person sessions means you will miss one-on-one instructor tutorials and feedback on your design projects. That work time would need to be made up on your own time frame.
Does PCC’s program transfer to a four or five-year architecture program?
Our program focuses mainly on residential design, drafting, construction, building codes, and building systems. We have a few classes in small commercial design and codes. Our studio type classes use AutoCAD and Revit software to develop proficiency in drafting and 3-D modeling. Our program is therefore somewhat different than a four or five-year architecture program, which focus exclusively on larger buildings like medical centers, multifamily housing, libraries, performing arts centers, etc. So in general, our program does not transfer to the programs that Portland State University, or the University of Oregon have. However, a student can complete their GenEd, reading, writing and math courses at PCC -as well as ARCH200-, and use those towards their degree at a four year school. Another strategy is to take some Art or Architecture courses at PCC, with the intention to build a portfolio of work that can be used for admission into the architecture programs at either PSU or UO.
What colleges in Oregon offer Architecture degrees?
Both the University of Oregon -UofO- and Portland State University -PSU- offer both B.ARCH as well as M.ARCH degrees in architecture, and their programs are NAAB-accredited.?Both Bachelor’s programs require math, writing, and some general education classes, which potentially can be taken at PCC. As part of their admission process these architecture programs require a portfolio of creative work. Some design/art classes from PCC’s Art and Architecture programs may provide projects for a portfolio.
What is the process of becoming a licensed architect, once one graduates from a NAAB-accredited program?
One first needs to join the “Architectural Experience Program”, complete the required internship (usually 3-5 years), and pass the exam. For more information on this, refer to: ncarb.org: how to earn your architect license.
What is the job market like for graduates of this program?
The job market for our graduates has been strong for the last 5+ years. This is due to continued construction in the Portland metro area, along with a shortage of graduates from professional architectural programs. This has inspired architectural and engineering firms to hire our graduates, especially for their CAD and 3-D modeling skills.
When does the next term at PCC start:
PCC runs on a four-quarter per year system; Fall (later Sept.), Winter (early Jan.), Spring (early April), and Summer (mid-June). Here is the link for PCC’s Academic Calendar, where you can find information on the start of each upcoming academic quarter, and dates for registration: academic calendar.