OAD: Associate of Applied Science in Drafting and Design (Self-Paced)

Across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries, demand is steadily increasing for professionals who know how to use and integrate Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies. The programs at the Virtual Design & Construction Institute (VDCI) are built to prepare students for these high-demand roles through expert instruction, a hands-on and industry-focused curriculum, and practical, project-based experience. These programs also provide a clear route to earning certificates and degrees that support immediate workforce entry while creating opportunities for long-term career advancement in the AEC field.

The curriculum for the Occupational Associate Degree (OAD): Associate of Applied Science in Drafting and Design is rooted in real-world workflows and places a strong emphasis on collaboration and problem-solving. Students develop a high level of proficiency in CAD and BIM software while also strengthening critical thinking, design communication, and analytical skills essential for professional practice. Courses include hands-on lessons and exercises that reflect the tools, techniques, and standards used by today’s leading firms.

By completing this course, you will have developed expertise in:

• Develop proficiency in industry-standard drafting tools such as AutoCAD and Revit for creating accurate 2D and 3D technical drawings.

• Interpret and apply technical drawing standards, symbols, annotations, and specifications used in architectural and engineering documents.

• Produce complete construction document sets, including floor plans, elevations, sections, and detail sheets for complex design projects.

• Model Building Information Models (BIM) that generate coordinated 2D drawings from 3D designs, integrating manufacturer information, CAD details, and project standards.

• Manage project workflows by organizing files, using titleblocks, and preparing sheet sets for presentation and printing.

• Apply practical CAD and BIM techniques to real-world drafting and design scenarios across disciplines.

• Strengthen mathematical reasoning and problem-solving through college algebra, geometry, and calculus, supporting accurate measurements, scaling, and technical analysis.

• Develop clear written and verbal communication through English composition, technical writing, and communications courses, enhancing documentation quality and professional collaboration, plus electives such as sociology and art history supporting design awareness, visual literacy, and effective communication within diverse project teams.

Course Curriculum

Residential Blueprint Reading Course Online

• Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics

• Topic 2: Title Sheet & Floor Plans

• Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Schedules

• Topic 4: Wall Sections & Details

• Topic 5: Structural Drawings

• Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing

• Topic 7: Title Sheet

• Topic 8: Architectural Site Plans

• Topic 9: Floor Plans

• Topic 10: Building Sections & Elevations

• Topic 11: Interior Elevations & Roof Plan

• Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical

Commercial Blueprint Reading Course Online

• Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns

• Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan

• Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types

• Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress

• Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil

• Topic 6: Structural

• Topic 7: Mechanical

• Topic 8: Electrical

• Topic 9: Plumbing

• Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications

Introduction to Residential Design Course Online

Intro to AutoCAD Course Online

• Lesson 1: The Interface and Architectural Symbols

• Lesson 2: Electrical Symbols

• Lesson 3: Kitchen and Bath Fixtures

• Lesson 4: Walls, Doors, and Windows

• Lesson 5: Creating Sheets and Adding Fixtures

• Lesson 6: The Dimensions and Plotting

Intro to AutoCAD Lab Online

Intermediate AutoCAD Course Online

• Lesson 1: Create the Floorplan & Sheet Setup

• Lesson 2: Finish Floorplan & Roof Plan

• Lesson 3: Structural Foundation Plan & Electrical Plan

• Lesson 4: Starting the Elevations

• Lesson 5: Continuing the Elevations

• Lesson 6: Finalizing, Checking & Plotting

Intermediate AutoCAD Lab Online

AutoCAD Construction Documents I Course Online

• Lesson 1: Project Setup & Walls

• Lesson 2: Windows & Doors Drafting

• Lesson 3: Veneer, Fixtures & Dimensions

• Lesson 4: Enlarged Views & Roof Plan

• Lesson 5: Elevation Modeling & Detailing

• Lesson 6: Keynotes & Sheet Plotting

AutoCAD Construction Documents II Course Online

• Lesson 1: Site Planning and Metes & Bounds

• Lesson 2: Building Elevations and Roof Integration

• Lesson 3: Section Development and Foundation Drafting

• Lesson 4: Refining Elevations and Detail Coordination

• Lesson 5: Wall Sections, Detailing, and Keynotes

• Lesson 6: Callouts, Plotting, and Title Sheet Creation

AutoCAD Construction Documents III Course Online

CAD Detailing Course Online

• Lesson 1: Detail Sheet Elements

• Lesson 2: Updating Sliding Door Section Detail - Part 1

• Lesson 2: Updating Sliding Door Section Detail - Part 2

• Lesson 2: Updating Sliding Door Section Detail - Part 3

• Lesson 2: Updating Two Hour Rated Wall Detail - Part 1

• Lesson 2: Updating Two Hour Rated Wall Detail - Part 2

• Lesson 2: Updating Stringer Intersection Detail

• Lesson 2: Updating Upper Entry Flashing Detail

• Lesson 2: Updating Handrail Section Detail - Part 1

• Lesson 2: Updating Handrail Section Detail - Part 2

• Midterm Example Video

• Lesson 3: Incorporating Manufacturer Information

• Lesson 4: Building Sheets & Millwork Drawings

Introduction to Commercial Design Course Online

Intro to Revit Course Online

• Lesson 1: UI and Basics

• Lesson 2: The Habitat House

• Lesson 3: The Office Building

• Lesson 4: Floor, Ceiling, and Roof

• Lesson 5: Groups and Fixtures

• Lesson 6: Graphics, Elevations, and Sheets

Introduction to Revit Lab Online

Intermediate Revit Course Online

• Lesson 1: Design Options

• Lesson 2: Working with Families

• Lesson 3: Tagging and Schedules

• Lesson 4: Building Area

• Lesson 5: Advanced Walls

• Lesson 6: Detailing

Intermediate Revit Lab Online

BIM Construction Documents I Course Online

• Lesson 1: Project Parameters & Beginning the Project

• Lesson 2: Curtain Walls, Floors, and Roofs

• Lesson 3: Demolition Plans

• Lesson 4: Lobby Remodel

• Lesson 5: New Construction Plans

• Lesson 6: Renderings & Elevations

BIM Construction Documents II Course Online

• Lesson 1: Project Setup

• Lesson 2: New Building

• Lesson 3: Interior Layout

• Lesson 4: Elevations

• Lesson 5: Building Documentation

• Lesson 6: Rendering & Schematic Design Set

BIM Construction Documents III Course Online

• Lesson 1: Overview, Cartoon Set & Floor Plan

• Lesson 2: Building Elevations & 3D Views

• Lesson 3: Elevations, Section Views & Wall Sections

• Lesson 4: Enlarged Floor Plans & Interior Elevations

• Lesson 5: Phases, Design Options & Tenant Layout

• Lesson 6: Rendering & Design Development Set

BIM Detailing Course Online

• Lesson 1: Detail Elements - Callouts, Lines, Regions, etc.

• Lesson 2: Detail Elements Continued & Keynotes

• Lesson 3: CAD Import & Export, Lineweights & Families

• Lesson 4: Detail Libraries, Section Perspectives & Axonometric View

Intro to Photoshop Course Online

• Lesson 1: User Interface, Shapes, Layers, Artboards & Brush Basics

• Lesson 2: Image Adjustments

• Lesson 3: Vector vs Raster & Text Editing

• Lesson 4: Website Background, Banner & Postcard

Introduction to Photoshop Lab Online

Intermediate Photoshop Course Online

• Lesson 1: Banner 1 - Phase 10 Skyline

• Lesson 2: Beams and Slabs

• Lesson 3: Banner 3 - Cities & Construction Crane

• Lesson 4: Banner Composite Image

Intro to Illustrator Course Online

• Lesson 1: Interface, Tools, and Icons

• Lesson 2: Creating Icons

• Lesson 3: Creating a Postcard

• Lesson 4: Completing the Postcard

Introduction to Illustrator Lab Online

Intermediate Illustrator Course Online

• Lesson 1: Mock-Up a Homepage

• Lesson 2: Charts and 3 Panel

• Lesson 3: The Night Skyline

• Lesson 4: Building the Mars Rocket

Intro to InDesign Course Online

• Lesson 1: Exploring the Interface - Basic Business Card

• Lesson 2: Business Card & Construction Rack Card

• Lesson 3: Invitation & Starting the Newsletter

• Lesson 4: Finalizing the Newsletter

Introduction to InDesign Lab Online

Intermediate InDesign Course Online

• Lesson 1: Basic Layout Design Review

• Lesson 2: Digital Publishing

• Lesson 3: Proposal Creation & Asset Incorporation

• Lesson 4: Proposal Mastering & Publication

Revit & Twinmotion Interior Rendering Course Online

• Lesson 1: Getting Started with Twinmotion

• Lesson 2: Materials, Environment, and Rendering

• Lesson 3: Direct Link from Revit to Twinmotion

• Lesson 4: Interior Materials and Furniture in Twinmotion

• Lesson 5: Cameras, Rendering, and Lighting in Twinmotion

• Lesson 6: Finalizing, Exporting, and Post-Processing in Twinmotion

Revit & Twinmotion Exterior Rendering Course Online

• Lesson 1: Exterior Rendering Foundations

• Lesson 2: Environment & Lighting Design

• Lesson 3: Detailing, Entourage & Final Rendering

• Lesson 4: Animation Fundamentals

• Lesson 5: Cinematic Animation Workflow

• Lesson 6: Final Rendering & Delivery

Communication & Connection Course Online

• Lesson 1: Communication and Connection

• Lesson 2: Making Requests

• Lesson 3: Managing Challenging Conversations

• Lesson 4: Negotiation

• Lesson 5: Public Speaking

• Lesson 6: Emotional Intelligence

• Lesson 7: Communication for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Self-Management Skills Course Online

• Topic 1: Time Management

• Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting

• Topic 3: Decision Making

• Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity

Teamwork, Collaboration & Leadership Course Online

• Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration

• Lesson 2:Teamwork & Team-Building

• Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making

• Lesson 4: Leadership

OAD Capstone Project

OAD Portfolio Course Online

College Algebra Course Online

College Geometry Course Online

Calculus 1 Course Online

English Composition Course Online

Technical Writing Course Online

Intro to Sociology Course Online

Communications Course Online

Art History Course Online