Drafting with AutoCAD®

Career Diploma 7 months

AutoCAD® Course Online

Penn Foster's Drafting with AutoCAD® Program can help you gain the knowledge and skills relevant to confidently using industry drafting software which can be useful in fields such as structural drafting, civil drafting, heating, ventilating & air conditioning (HVAC), sheet metal drafting, electrical drafting, and electronic schematic drafting. Drafting with AutoCAD® classes will cover basic sketching and drafting techniques, as well more advanced applications of AutoCAD® software.

  • Prepares students for careers in architectural, mechanical, and civil engineering fields.
  • Online drafting classes cover essential CAD functions such as dimensioning, plotting, and printing, digitized 3D drawing, geometric construction and tolerancing, and electronic schematic drafting.
  • Students enrolled in the program can download a student version of AutoCAD® that will be available throughout their studies.
  • Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.
Accredited
Online
Self Paced

Save up to $190 Ends 4/30/2024

Cost of Program

$899

$1,089 Save $190

or

$59/month, Start for as low as $20

Enroll Now Request Info

1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)

See full program cost & payment options
person drafting with AutoCAD® at desk.

What You Will Learn

  1. How to recognize different sketching methods, various measuring tools and proper notation, and basic drafting math.
  2. How to create geometric drawings and dimensioning.
  3. How to create and prepare complete sets of architectural and civil drawings including a site plan, transit lines, and plans and profiles from survey information.
  4. How to use the advanced functions of AutoCAD®, including blocks, polylines, attributes, and isometric drawings.
Full Program Goal & Outcomes

Drafting with AutoCAD® Career Outcomes

Drafters

AVG SALARY*

$60,400/yr

NUMBER OF JOBS*

197,300


Our programs are designed with job-readiness in mind. Study the AutoCAD® skills you need while preparing for any required industry certifications or state licenses, so you can get started with a new role or advance your career.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in this field are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered in the Penn Foster program. Prospective students should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in this program.  See the State Licensing page for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

Drafting with AutoCAD® Curriculum

  • 8 courses
  • 39.7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
  • 30 exams
  • 7 submitted projects


Estimated completion time:

  • Fast track = 7 months
  • Average time = 11 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - April 2022, excluding withdrawals.

Penn Foster's accredited AutoCAD® Drafting courses help students learn how to digitally create drawings for structural, civil, electrical, and electronic schematic drafting with AutoCAD® software.


  • Sketching and Drafting Fundamentals
  • Geometric Drawing, Dimensioning, and Tolerancing
  • Basic AutoCAD® Software Functions
  • Advanced AutoCAD® Software Functions
  • Structural and Civil Drafting
  • HVAC and Electrical Schematic Drafting

Show Full Curriculum

AutoCAD® Drafting Student Stories

Penn Foster can help you gain career confidence affordably and on your terms. Graduates of our AutoCAD® Drafting program have been able to pursue new jobs and earn promotions. Learn more about how Penn Foster helped them reach their goals.
View Student Success Stories
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Maria M.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“Was very easy to keep up with the work. Loved how it was work at your own pace.”

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AutoCAD® Drafting Program Tuition

Our AutoCAD® Drafting Program offers flexible payment plans to help you advance your career. 

Option 1: Pay in full

Save up to $190 Ends 4/30/2024

Cost of Program

$899

$1,089 Save $190

  • Best price. Best value.
  • Pay the full cost today
  • No monthly payments
Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

Cost of Program

$1,089

  • Pay $59 per month
  • Start for $20 down
  • All major credit and debit cards accepted
Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

cost of program

$1,089

  • Pay $59 per month
  • Start for $49 down
  • Mail your payments
Enroll Now

California residents please click here for Required California Disclosures.

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits, or our refund policy? Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment here.

Tuition & Payment Options

We're here to help. Call 1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)

Request Info

Our Proven Drafting with AutoCAD® Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

  • Start any time
  • Self-paced learning
  • Payment plans

Interactive

  • Live support
  • Expert instructors
  • Goal tracking

Connected

  • Student community
  • Digital textbooks
  • Career support

Supportive

  • Career services
  • Academic guidance
  • Counseling

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AutoCAD® Drafting Course FAQs

Where can I get a job as an AutoCAD® drafter?

People who complete AutoCAD® training can be found working in a variety of areas. AutoCAD® drafters may work in engineering firms, government agencies, automotive companies or dealerships, construction, landscaping, or patenting companies.

What skills can I learn in an online AutoCAD® course?

With Penn Foster's online AutoCAD® Course, you will learn both the fundamentals of AutoCAD® software as well as more advanced functions. You'll then learn the basic application of AutoCAD® with regard to developing drawing plans, site plans, and profiles from survey information, as well as electrical schematics and diagrams, electric power substation design drawing, residential and commercial electrical plans, and printed circuit technology.

What is the average salary for an AutoCAD® employee?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the average salary for drafters is around $60,400.*

What is AutoCAD® used for?

AutoCAD® is a software created by Autodesk that is used to help drafters create designs and technical drawings using a computer instead of having to draw detailed plans by hand

Sources:

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Drafters." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed October 4, 2023.


Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.