Drafting Technology

Students are required to take the Texas Success Initiative Exam before the third semester for this Program of Study.

The Business and Industrial Technology Department recommends that you apply for your certificate as soon as it is available, even if you intend to continue studying for your degree. Follow the application instructions on the Graduation page to receive your certificate. 

Completing LSCPA's Drafting Technology program can open the door to a lasting career in design, engineering support, and technical drafting. Students who finish the program have several clear options for what comes next:

• Enter the workforce with job-ready skills. Graduates step into roles like Junior Drafter, CAD Technician, Architectural Drafter, or Mechanical Drafter — positions that construction firms, engineering offices, and industrial employers across Southeast Texas actively recruit for.
• Build on your education at your own pace. LSCPA offers certificate and Associate of Applied Science pathways in Drafting Technology, and many completed courses may apply toward related credentials or degrees depending on your goals and chosen institution.
• Transfer to a four-year university. Earning an Associate of Applied Science opens the door to Bachelor's programs in Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Architecture, Industrial Design, and similar fields at universities across Texas.
• Advance into leadership over time. Experience, professional certifications, and continued education can move you into higher-level positions — Senior Drafter, CAD Manager, Design Team Lead, or Drafting Department Supervisor — roles that offer both long-term stability and strong earning potential.

Each pathway builds on the last — letting you earn a credential, enter the workforce, and continue advancing your education and career in drafting and design technology when the time is right.

What is the Drafting Technology program at LSCPA?

The program covers core competencies in technical drawing, computer-aided design (CAD) software, design specifications, and the drafting standards that guide modern construction and engineering projects — giving you a well-rounded foundation in the skills that design and industrial settings depend on every day. Coursework combines hands-on projects with classroom instruction, so by the time you graduate, you're prepared to step confidently into the roles Southeast Texas construction firms, engineering offices, and industrial employers need to fill.

What certifications or credentials can I earn through the Drafting Technology program?

Graduates may pursue industry-recognized credentials in CAD software, drafting standards, or design tools, depending on their career focus. These credentials signal to employers that you've mastered the skills behind the job title — from producing precise technical drawings and reading design specifications to creating detailed architectural and mechanical plans — and they can meaningfully increase your earning potential in Southeast Texas's growing construction, engineering, and industrial job market.

What kind of jobs can I get with this training?

Construction firms, engineering offices, industrial plants, and design departments throughout Southeast Texas regularly hire LSCPA graduates for roles such as Junior Drafter, CAD Technician, Architectural Drafter, and Mechanical Drafter — positions that form the backbone of any modern construction, engineering, or industrial design operation.

Is this program flexible for working adults?

LSCPA offers online and hybrid class formats so you can fit your Drafting Technology education around work and family, not the other way around. Talk to an advisor about building a schedule that works for your life.

How long does it take to complete the Drafting Technology program?

The Drafting Technology program is available as a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree or a shorter certificate for those ready to enter the workforce sooner. An LSCPA advisor can help you map out a plan that fits your timeline, your goals, and your life outside of school.

What is the salary potential for a Drafter?

Salaries in this field vary by role, experience, and employer — but the numbers tell a promising story. Across Texas, architectural and civil drafters earn an average of $46,210 - $58,539, and mechanical drafters earn $57,000 - $68,066, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Entry-level positions typically start lower, and those who build specialized CAD skills or move into senior drafting, design lead, and drafting department supervisor roles can earn well above those ranges. The field rewards experience and initiative — both of which you'll have more of with an LSCPA credential behind you.