High-Demand Careers. Accelerated Training. 50% Tuition Discount.
Join the booming Central Texas workforce. Whether you are starting from scratch or switching careers, our program provides the technical skills and professional portfolio you need to succeed in the Austin-Round Rock tech and engineering hub.
Why Choose a CAD Career in Central Texas?
The demand for CAD professionals in our area continues to outpace both state and national benchmarks. Driven by Austin’s semiconductor, infrastructure, and tech sectors, CAD roles represent a significantly higher concentration of the workforce here than almost anywhere else in the country.
Competitive Earnings in Austin (2026 Projections)
The median pay for a skilled CAD professional in Texas remains significantly higher than the average worker across all industries. In the Austin area, salaries have scaled upward to meet demand:
| Career Level | Annual Salary Range | Hourly Rate |
| Entry-Level Drafter | $53,000 – $58,000 | ~$27/hr |
| Mid-Level Professional | $70,000 – $75,000 | ~$34/hr |
| Senior Drafter / Designer | $100,000+ | $50+/hr |
The “Fast Track” Program Overview
Our Certified CAD Drafter program is designed for people with little or no prior experience.
Limited-Time 50% Discount
As part of ACC’s Fast Track initiative, we have reduced tuition to make high-level technical training accessible:
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Original Price: $995 per course
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Fast Track Price: $497.50 per course
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Total Program Cost: $995 (Total savings of $995!)
Flexible “Hyflex” Learning
Balance your education with your life. Our Hyflex format allows you to:
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Choose Your Classroom: Attend on-campus at the Highland Learning Center (HLC) or join virtually from home.
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Switch Day-to-Day: You have the flexibility to change between in-person and online attendance whenever you need.
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Learn at Your Pace: Complete the two-course sequence (160 hours total) in as little as 8–10 weeks.
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Never Miss a Lesson: All live virtual instruction is recorded and posted for later access.
What You Will Gain
A Professional Interdisciplinary Portfolio
You will graduate with a diverse portfolio of work to present to potential employers, featuring projects in:
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Architectural & Civil CAD
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Mechanical & Electronic CAD
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3D Design
Free Software & Support
All registered students receive a 1-year educational license for AutoCAD to install on their home PC.
(Note: AutoCAD requires a Windows environment. Mac users will need Parallels/Windows; Chromebooks are not supported.)
Your Future Pathways
Upon completing the program, you are prepared for three immediate options:
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Entry-Level Employment: Start applying for drafter positions immediately with your new portfolio.
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Professional Certification: You’ll be prepared to sit for the Autodesk Certified User exam.
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Earn College Credit: Seamlessly convert your training into college credit toward an Associate Degree:
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DFTG 1009 converts to DFTG 1405
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DFTG 2019 converts to DFTG 2419
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Ready to start your career?
New classes begin at the start of every month.
Train Online to be a Certified CAD Drafter in 2 Months!
Our Certified CAD Drafter program is designed for people with little or no experience in CAD or the drafting industry. Students learn the drafting skills they need for an entry level-position. After completing the course you will have a portfolio of work you can present to potential employers when seeking employment.
The Certified CAD Drafter program consists of two 80-hour classes (DFTG 1009 – Level I and DFTG 2019 – Level II) for a total of 160 hours of training. Working online at their own pace, students can complete each course in as little as 4-5 weeks (8-10 weeks total)! Classes start at the beginning of each month and run for 60 days.
NOTE: This program is offered in a “Hyflex” format. This means instruction is offered on-campus at HLC, with students having the flexibility to attend in person or virtually on any given class day.
To learn more about qualifying for financial aid, please call (512) 223-7872, or…
Fast Track Discount: 50% off!
- The Certified CAD Drafter program is part of ACC’s Fast Track initiative.
- Students who register now will receive a 50% discount on this program.
- After the discount, each of the two courses will be $497.50, for a total of $995 for the whole program.
Benefits:
- Work at your own pace anywhere you have internet connection
- The Certified CAD Drafter program can be converted for up to 8 hours of college credit and applied toward a certificate or degree in A&E CAD – we offer awards for the following specializations:
For More Information:
- Call us at: (512) 223-4900
- Email us at: learncad@austincc.edu
- Or, click the button below to get connected!