Program Description

The Architectural Design & Technology Associate Degree program prepares learners with the necessary skills for the many architectural design career options in the construction industry. Learners will gain knowledge in and employ the principles of residential and light commercial design through completion of authentic projects. Energy conservation and sustainability concepts are incorporated throughout the program’s curriculum.

Coursework includes introductory and advanced classes in design, presentation, construction technology, surveying, structural analysis, code interpretation, estimating and project management. Learners will utilize various software programs including Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD), 3D Computer Modeling (SketchUp), Building Information Modeling (BIM – SoftPlan & Revit), Animation/Simulation and Energy Modeling.

Graduates also have the option to pursue a bachelor’s degree in construction management through UW-Stout, UW-Platteville and Michigan Tech University; a bachelor's degree in architecture can also be earned through a transfer agreement with UW-Milwaukee’s School of Architecture & Urban Planning.

Found in These Career Fields:

Approximate Cost

$11,250
Tuition: $10411 , Books: $839

Starting Salary

$32,000–$41,600
Average, based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report

Financial Aid

Available
An aerial view of NTC's Wausau Campus main entrance on a sunny summer day. Trees and greenery frame the spacious side walks that lead up to the light-brown brick building.

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Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

100%
at Wausau
20-30%
at Antigo
20-30%
at Medford
20-30%
at Phillips
20-30%
at Spencer
20-30%
at Wittenberg
20-30%
at Online

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Integrate building systems
  • Develop building designs
  • Evaluate building materials
  • Develop construction documents
  • Employ soft skills to accomplish project goals
  • Apply common management techniques and legal documents of the building industry
  • Specify building systems for residential use and light commercial construction
  • Apply estimating procedures for single family, multifamily and light commercial construction
  • Produce construction specifications for single family, multifamily and light commercial construction
  • Produce working drawings for single family, multifamily and light commercial construction
  • Apply CAD/BIM technology (2D/3D) in the residential and light commercial design industry
  • Create preliminary documents for single family, multifamily and light commercial construction

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Material/System Specifier
  • Building Inspector
  • Wholesale Buyer
  • Contract Sales
  • Sales Associate
  • Surveyor Assistant
  • Architect Assistant
  • Project/Construction Manager
  • Estimator
  • CAD Drafter/Detailer
  • BIM Technician/Specialist
  • CAD Technician
  • Kitchen/Bath Designer
  • Light Commercial Designer
  • Residential Designer
  • Architectural Designer

Courses

The Architectural Design and Technology Associate Degree is a 64–65 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 1 2.00
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY 1 3.00
AUTOCAD 2D FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2.00
INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2.00
ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 3.00
COLLEGE 101 1.00
INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA W/APPS 4.00
COLLEGE ALGEBRA W/APPS 3.00

Second Term

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2 3.00
CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATING 1 3.00
DESIGN & PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES 1 2.00
SKETCHUP FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2.00
SURVEYING FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2.00
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 4.00

Third Term

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY 2 3.00
REVIT RESIDENTIAL FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2.00
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 3 3.00
BUILDING TRADE STATICS 3.00
INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY 3.00
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION 3.00
ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 3.00

Fourth Term

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 4 3.00
CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATING 2 3.00
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT 2.00
DESIGN & PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES 2 2.00
REVIT COMMERCIAL FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2.00
INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY 3.00

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Pathways

Pathways are a series of connected programs that enable you to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training. By earning one degree, you could also be completing several courses of a related program in a pathway, bringing you one step closer to an advanced degree.

If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn significant credit towards this Architectural Design and Technology Associate Degree:

Transfer Information

You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.

Program Transfer

The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.

School Name Degree Name
Michigan Tech University Construction Management
Minnesota State University - Moorhead B.S. in Operations Management
Siena Heights University Bachelor of Applied Science
UW Milwaukee Architectural Studies
UW Platteville Industrial Technology Management
UW Stout Construction

General Transfer

All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.

View all transfer guides

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

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The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.

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What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be mailed to you.