Program Description
Are you interested in being part of a team that creates the built environment – homes, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, etc.? When you study Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Technology at SPSCC, you gain experience to build a better tomorrow. From creating 2D drawings of cabinets to 3D modeling of land, buildings, and construction trades – there are opportunities abound. Join a long history of serving the community with a successful track record of our students finding gainful employment.
The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Technology Associate in Applied Science Program, which is from here on referred to as the AEC Program, is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in various sectors of the AEC Industry.
Program graduates will use industry standard software tools to translate conceptual ideas into 2D plans and 3D models. Experienced workers may advance to project managers, virtual design and construction (VDC) coordinators, plan checkers, detailers and/or Building Information Modeling (BIM) technicians. A typical work week will consist of 40 hours, but overtime may be required to meet deadlines. Graduates can work for engineering and architectural firms, contractors, government agencies, and a wide variety of related industries.
Career Opportunities
Program graduates will use industry standard software tools to translate conceptual ideas into 2D plans and 3D models. Experienced workers may advance to project managers, virtual design and construction (VDC) coordinators, plan checkers, detailers and/or Building Information Modeling (BIM) technicians. A typical work week will consist of 40 hours, but overtime may be required to meet deadlines. Graduates can work for engineering and architectural firms, contractors, government agencies, and a wide variety of related industries.
- Architectural Engineer
- Architectural and Civil Drafter
- Urban and Regional Planner
Program Information
- Students should expect early exposure to a wide range of software applications
- Textbooks and required tools are estimated to range from $300 to $500 for the 2-Year program
- An Autodesk certified personal computer is highly recommended. Estimated cost $1000 to $1500
- Program experiences will include E-Learning and innovative use of technology
ADMISSION: The AEC Technology Program has a limited enrollment policy with program curriculum pathways starting in Fall and Winter quarters only.
South Puget Sound Community College believes that all students need to develop a broad range of abilities that will not only make them more effective in their professional pursuits but will enhance their capacity to relate well to others in their daily lives. At the end of this program students will:
Use industry standard software to:
- Troubleshoot work-related problems efficiently by finding reputable resources in texts or digital formats
- Distinguish and check errors related to local and/or national building or civil codes, or general design principles in either software or drawings, before safety, structural integrity, or environmental issues emerge
- Use industry standard software to communicate how a building is constructed, identify conflicts between and among building systems, design large public works infrastructures, and create virtual building models
- Communicate orally and in writing to diverse team members, colleagues, and supervisors
- Apply principles of project management in preparation for entry into a complex working environment
The SPSCC college-wide abilities are embedded into each program:
- Analytical Reasoning
- Effective Communication
- Information Literacy
- Multicultural Awareness
- Social Responsibility
Courses by Quarter (Pathway Map)
Check with your advisor to determine where you will start. Advisors must approve changes to academic plan.
Pre-College Level
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 1 - 7.5 |
| Applied Math I | |
| Applied Math II | |
| Contextualized Math I | |
| 1 -10 |
| ESOL Level I (Beginning Literacy) | |
| ESOL Level II (Low Beginning) | |
| ESOL Level III (High Beginning) | |
| ESOL Level IV (Low Intermediate) | |
| ESOL Level V (High Intermediate) | |
| ESOL Level VI (Advanced) | |
| ABE Language Arts III (Low Intermediate Language Arts) | |
| ABE Language Arts IV (High Intermediate Language Arts) | |
| ABE Language Arts V (Adult Secondary Level Language Arts) | |
In addition to Transition Studies courses, students may need to take the following for Fall and Winter Full-Time. Check with your advisor to determine where you will start.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| ENGL 090 | Integrated Reading and Writing I | 5 |
| or ENGL 095 | Integrated Reading and Writing II |
College Level
This degree is a total of 90 credits.
CCS 101 Pathways to Success is a required course for all students. Skip if taken in Pre-College.
Advising Notes
***Required indicates that students must take one of the specific courses listed. Any substitution would require Advisor and Department approval.
***Recommended indicates that Pathway faculty recommend the courses listed, but other courses may fulfill the degree requirement. Students should consult with Advisor about additional course options.
- Winter Start Option: The general education requirement (Human Relations/Diversity) listed in quarter 3 can be completed in quarter 1 depending on student interest or bandwidth. It is recommended that the Math and English requirements be completed within the first 45 credits at SPSCC. Taking English, Math, and Diversity/Human Relations all at once in summer may be too much, so students should know they can take the Diversity/Human Relations course later in the sequence, including in “quarter 7” not depicted.
Pathway Notes
Option 1: Fall Start
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| AEC 101 | Fundamentals of Drafting F | 5 |
| CCS 101 | Pathways to Success | 3 |
| MATH 101 | Technical Mathematics I | 5 |
| AEC 102 | Introduction to CAD W | 5 |
| AEC 103 | Introduction to 3D Modeling W | 5 |
| ENGL 098 | Transitional English Composition | 5 |
| or ENGL& 101 | English Composition I |
| AEC 120 | Construction Methods and Materials Sp | 5 |
| AEC 160 | Introduction to Civil Engineering and Survey Sp | 5 |
| 5 |
| Principles of Management: Diversity | |
| Psychology of Human Relations: Diversity | |
| Multicultural America: Diversity | |
| Interpersonal Communication: Diversity | |
| Small Group Communication: Diversity | |
| Intercultural Communication: Diversity | |
| AEC 121 | Architectural BIM I F | 5 |
| AEC 161 | Civil CAD I F | 5 |
| AEC 171 | Commercial BIM I F | 5 |
| AEC 122 | Architectural BIM II W | 5 |
| AEC 162 | Civil CAD II W | 5 |
| AEC 172 | Commercial BIM II W | 5 |
| AEC 263 | Civil CAD III Sp | 5 |
| AEC 264 | Survey I Sp | 3 |
| AEC 273 | Building Information Modeling III Sp | 5 |
| AEC 274 | Building Information Modeling IV Sp | 4 |
Option 2: Winter Start
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| AEC 101 | Fundamentals of Drafting W | 5 |
| AEC 103 | Introduction to 3D Modeling W | 5 |
| CCS 101 | Pathways to Success | 3 |
| AEC 102 | Introduction to CAD Sp | 5 |
| AEC 120 | Construction Methods and Materials Sp | 5 |
| AEC 160 | Introduction to Civil Engineering and Survey Sp | 5 |
| ENGL 098 | Transitional English Composition | 5 |
| or ENGL& 101 | English Composition I |
| MATH 101 | Technical Mathematics I | 5 |
| 5 |
| Principles of Management: Diversity | |
| Psychology of Human Relations: Diversity | |
| Multicultural America: Diversity | |
| Interpersonal Communication: Diversity | |
| Small Group Communication: Diversity | |
| Intercultural Communication: Diversity | |
| AEC 121 | Architectural BIM I F | 5 |
| AEC 161 | Civil CAD I F | 5 |
| AEC 171 | Commercial BIM I F | 5 |
| AEC 122 | Architectural BIM II W | 5 |
| AEC 162 | Civil CAD II W | 5 |
| AEC 172 | Commercial BIM II W | 5 |
| AEC 263 | Civil CAD III Sp | 5 |
| AEC 264 | Survey I Sp | 3 |
| AEC 273 | Building Information Modeling III Sp | 5 |
| AEC 274 | Building Information Modeling IV Sp | 4 |
Option 3: Part-time
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| MATH 101 | Technical Mathematics I | 5 |
| ENGL 090 | Integrated Reading and Writing I | 5 |
| or ENGL 095 | Integrated Reading and Writing II |
| CCS 101 | Pathways to Success | 3 |
| AEC 101 | Fundamentals of Drafting W | 5 |
| ENGL 098 | Transitional English Composition | 5 |
| or ENGL& 101 | English Composition I |
| AEC 102 | Introduction to CAD Sp | 5 |
| AEC 103 | Introduction to 3D Modeling Sp | 5 |
| AEC 160 | Introduction to Civil Engineering and Survey F | 5 |
| AEC 161 | Civil CAD I F | 5 |
| AEC 120 | Construction Methods and Materials W | 5 |
| AEC 162 | Civil CAD II W | 5 |
| AEC 263 | Civil CAD III Sp | 5 |
| AEC 264 | Survey I Sp | 3 |
| 5 |
| Principles of Management: Diversity | |
| Psychology of Human Relations: Diversity | |
| Multicultural America: Diversity | |
| Interpersonal Communication: Diversity | |
| Small Group Communication: Diversity | |
| Intercultural Communication: Diversity | |
| AEC 121 | Architectural BIM I F | 5 |
| AEC 171 | Commercial BIM I F | 5 |
| AEC 122 | Architectural BIM II W | 5 |
| AEC 172 | Commercial BIM II W | 5 |
| AEC 273 | Building Information Modeling III Sp | 5 |
| AEC 274 | Building Information Modeling IV Sp | 4 |