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Western Dakota Technical College Learn. Do. Now.

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Architectural and Engineering Technology

Architectural and Engineering Technology (formerly known as the Computer-Aided Design program) is a hands-on program, and you will spend most of your day learning by doing. You will prepare drawings under the guidance of instructors who are true experts and will graduate with the abilities and knowledge that set you apart from the crowd.

Are you interested in our Architectural and Engineering Technology Degree Program?

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Degree Description

Associate of Applied Science
68 Credit Hours, 18-Month Program

The Architectural and Engineering Technology program (formerly known as the Computer-Aided Design program) at Western Dakota Technical College equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to produce accurate technical drawings using industry standard CAD systems.

Graduates of the 18-month program receive training in a full range of knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the diverse and varied field of drafting and design.  This degree is widely accepted as the industry standard in qualifying for an entry level position in the architectural, civil, and mechanical CAD fields. 

Architectural drafters assist architects by preparing technical plans and details showing the dimensions, construction materials, and processes used for residential and commercial building projects.  Mechanical drafters prepare detail and assembly drawings of a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices, indicating dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements. Civil drafters create drawings that detail the construction related to land, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The Computer-Aided Design program at Western Dakota Technical College provides students with a solid base of knowledge in all three of these fields, maximizing their versatility when entering the job market. 

The certificates listed below are also available. Email the Program Director for enrollment approval.

Architectural and Engineering Technology - Architectural Certificate

Architectural and Engineering Technology - Mechanical Certificate

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Application Process

1. Complete Western Dakota Technical College Admissions Application
2. Complete the ACCUPLACER test ($15 fee)
3. Schedule your Admissions Advising Session
4. Provide an official copy of a High School transcript or GED scores. If you graduated from an international high school, you must submit your transcript to Educational Credential Evaluators to determine U.S. equivalence. Additionally, an official transcript must be submitted if you have attended other post-secondary institutions or universities.
6. Once you receive your acceptance letter, schedule a time to register for classes

The ACCUPLACER test will be waived if you have an ACT sub-score of 18 or better in English, Math, and Reading.  To waive the ACCUPLACER with SAT scores a student will need a 500 on the MATH subsection of ACT and a composite of 970 to waive Writing and Reading. To place into MATH 114 a student will need a 520 on the MATH subsection.  

Please call 605-718-2565 to make an appointment.

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Career Description

Architectural and Engineering Technology graduates will produce technical drawings with advanced 3D software.  In the Architectural and Engineering Technology field you will be entering a career as an integral part of an architectural, civil, or mechanical firm.

Architectural drafters assist architects by preparing technical plans and details showing the dimensions, construction materials, and processes used for residential and commercial building projects.

Mechanical drafters prepare detail and assembly drawings of a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices, indicating dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements.

Civil drafters create drawings that detail the construction related to land, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.

The Architectural and Engineering Technology program (formerly the Computer-Aided Design program) at Western Dakota Tech will provide you with a solid base of knowledge in all three of these fields.

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Virtual Tour Architectural & Engineering Technology Lab

Take the Virtual Tour Now Next, schedule an on-campus tour and receive a FREE WDTC T-Shirt when you arrive.

Plotter Room tour

General Education EMT

After Earning Your Degree


Our recent graduates are now employed by, Caterpillar/RFA Engineering, West Plains Engineering, Rapid Fire Protection, Skyline Engineering, Ferber Engineering, KLJ Engineering, Architecture International, Albertson Engineering, FourFront Design, Upper Deck Architects, and other businesses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2022, the average wage in western South Dakota was $49,420.

Meet Your Faculty

Western Dakota Technical College has a low student-to-faculty ratio, meaning more one-on-one learning. Individual attention from your professor can make your college experience more fulfilling.


  • Todd Anderson

  • James Loverich

Financial Aid

Continuing your education is crucial and Western Dakota Technical College wants to make sure that any student who wants to attend school, has the opportunity to do so. For this reason, WDTC is dedicated to administering the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IV Financial Assistance Program fair and consistently to anyone who needs it.

Build Dakota Scholarships

The Build Dakota Scholarship at Western Dakota Technical College will pay all your tuition and fees and prepare you for a career that is in-demand and growing in South Dakota. Build Dakota Scholarships will be awarded to students entering high-need workforce programs at South Dakota’s technical institutes to fill the state’s technical careers with skilled professionals.


Student Housing

Finding affordable housing during school can be a challenge for students. Western Dakota Technical College currently does not have on-campus housing, but partners with a Rapid City VRBO to offer a limited number of apartments for full-time students in the fall and spring semesters.


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Child Care

Finding child care during school is a challenge for many students. Western Dakota Technical College currently does not offer on-campus child care, but here are some resources that may help you in your search.

Youth & Family Services is an organization dedicated to helping children in Western South Dakota. They offer a variety of services, including child care at multiple locations.

The Y of Rapid City offers child care and other services.

Disclaimer: Western Dakota Technical College provides these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply affiliation, endorsement or adoption by Western Dakota Technical College of any site or any information contained therein. When you leave wdt.edu, you should be aware that our terms and policies no longer govern. Western Dakota Technical College makes no claim or representation regarding, and accepts no responsibility for, the quality, content, nature or reliability of third-party websites or vendors.

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