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Design Technology A.A. Degree

Full Time

This program roadmap represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. This roadmap is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Catalog:
2025-26
GE Pattern:
local AA/AS
Total Units:
61
Start Term:
Fall

First Year

Semester 1 (Fall)

15 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
DESGN 300
Introduction to Design Resources
3
Req
DESGN 301 1
Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD)
3
Req
DESGN 320
Three Dimensional Graphics and Design
3
GE
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing or
3
L1A
ENGL C1000H H
Academic Reading and Writing - Honors
3
GE
any Area L3 (Arts & Humanities) course
3
L3

1Skills covered in DESGN 301 are often learned in high school drafting courses, as well as by other means. Contact the Design Technology department chair about earning credit by exam.

Semester 2 (Spring)

15 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
DESGN 302
Technical Documentation with CADD
3
DESGN 301
Req
DESGN 325
Architectural Modeling and Design
3
DESGN 301
Req
DESGN 328
Engineering Modeling and Design
3
DESGN 301
GE
MATH 300
Introduction to Mathematical Ideas
3
L2
GE
any Area L5 (Natural Sciences) course
3
L5

Second Year

Semester 3 (Fall)

15 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
DESGN 310
Graphic Analysis and Documentation
3
DESGN 301
Req
DESGN 340
Architecture and Construction
4
(see below)
Req
DESGN 351
Surveying For Architectural Design
2
(see below)
Req
DESGN 352
Land Planning For Architectural Design
2
GE
any Area L7A (Physical Education) course
1
L7A
GE
any Area L4 (Social & Behavioral Sciences) course
3
L4

DESGN 340 prerequisite: DESGN 301, DESGN 302, DESGN 300 or 320, and DESGN 325 or 328

DESGN 351 prerequisite: DESGN 301, and DESGN 325, DESGN 328 or HORT 329

Semester 4 (Spring)

16 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
DESGN 331
Machine Design
2
(see below)
Req
DESGN 360
Commercial Engineering Design and Drafting
4
(see below)
Req
DESGN 361
Commercial MEP Design
2
(see below)
GE
any Area L1B (Oral Communication & Critical Thinking) course
3
L1B
GE
any Area L6 (Ethnic Studies) course
3
L6
GE
DESGN 498
Work Experience in Design Technology
2
L7B

DESGN 331 prerequisite: DESGN 301, 302, 310, and 328

DESGN 360 prerequisite: DESGN 302, and DESGN 300 or 320, and DESGN 325 or 328

DESGN 361 prerequisite: DESGN 300, 301, 302, 310, and 328 

H honors courses

Explanation of Categories
Req Required Core A course that is required for this program
GE General Education A course that fulfills a specific general education requirement for a degree, which can be replaced with another course that meets the same requirement

Career path

Career Options:

Holders of a Design Technology degree are capable of working under a large number of job titles requiring the skills provided by this certificate, including

  • CADD
  • Computer Aided Drafting/Design
  • Revit / BIM
  • AutoCad, Inventor, Revit, Navisworks, Sketch-Up (software packages)
  • Designer, Drafter, Detailer, Specialist (job descriptions)

Link to local employment information

Advising Notes:

  • This degree can be completed using either the local AA/AS general education (GE) pattern or the Cal-GETC transfer GE pattern. See a counselor to determine which pattern is best for you based on your academic goals.
  • Students can substitute ESLW 340 for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly known as ENGWR 300/480).

Scheduling Notes:

  • DESGN 310, 340, 351, and 352 are offered in the fall.
  • DESGN 325, 328, 331, 360, and 361 are offered in the spring.
  • DESGN 351 is offered during the 1st 8 weeks and DESGN 352 is offered during the 2nd 8 weeks, so they can be taken in the same semester. 
  • DESGN 331 is offered during the 1st 8 weeks and DESGN 361 is offered during the 2nd 8 weeks, so they can be taken in the same semester. 
  • This degree can be started in the spring as well. See a counselor to adjust the course work.

Other Notes:

  • This program is designed for students to directly enter the workforce. Students wishing to transfer to pursue a Bachelor’s degree should meet with a counselor to select the appropriate courses, because colleges vary widely in terms of their required coursework. Students should also keep a portfolio of all of their design/ engineering technology projects to present for evaluation by college advisors.
  • An internship (DESGN 498) is highly recommended as it opens up potential employment opportunities. Students can earn between 0.5 – 4.0 units for related paid or unpaid work experience including volunteer and internship positions through DESGN 498. This course also works toward satisfying GE Area L7B. See the Work Experience website for more information.

Published April 12, 2025

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