Build your architectural career within the construction industry.

The two-year Architectural Technician Ontario College Diploma program teaches you the skills and techniques to enter a career in the architecture and construction fields.

Your professors are industry professionals who provide you with a learning experience from the construction industry and the architectural profession, enabling you to be successful in your academic and professional ventures.

Begin the program with a focus on residential construction, and progress to studying commercial construction. Develop skills related to all facets of building construction, including design and technical resolution with the integration of building and material detailing.

As a student in this program, you have the opportunity to study a variety of practical topics, using both applied and theoretical learning, and a project-based, integrated studies approach. Courses include:

• Working Drawings
• Methods and Materials of Construction
• Codes and Standards
• AutoCAD
• Revit
• Visual Communications
• Design
• Environmental Systems

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op work term are subject to availability and academic eligibility. Please note admission to the co-op program does not guarantee a co-op placement.

On completion of this two-year program, you have the opportunity to further your education at Algonquin College by:

• completing the Architectural Technology Ontario College Advanced Diploma program as a third-year option
• applying to the Green Architecture Ontario College Graduate Certificate program
• applying to the Building Information Modeling - Lifecycle Management (BIM-LM) Ontario College Graduate Certificate program
• applying for advanced standing in the Bachelor of Building Science Degree program.

Graduates often work:

• in architects` offices
• with contractors in multiple sectors
• in engineering offices
• as a building materials sales representative
• with municipal offices such as the City of Ottawa
• with federal and provincial agencies dealing with construction
• in a drafting service office using AutoCAD and Revit
• in construction, maintenance, and planning
• with real estate and facilities management companies

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Are detail-oriented, organized and committed to achieving excellence in their work.
• Are creative and enjoy solving technical problems.
• Thrive in a dynamic and technically-driven environment.
• Think visually and creatively.

Careers

Graduates may find employment in architects` offices, with contractors in a number of capacities, in a drafting service office using AutoCAD and Revit, as building material sales representatives, in facilities management, and in municipal, provincial and federal agencies dealing with construction, real estate and planning.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Communicate with clients, contractors, other building professionals, and approval authorities.
2. Assist in the preparation, reading, and interpretation of drawings, and other graphical representations used in building projects.
3. Read and assist in the preparation of specifications and other project documents used in design and construction.
4. Assist in the preparation of estimates of time, costs, and quantity.
5. Assist in solving technical problems related to building projects through the application of principles of building science and mathematics.
6. Collaborate with members of the building team.
7. Assist in the development of architectural designs.
8. Review and assist in the preparation of site planning documents.
9. Comply with the legal and ethical requirements of an architectural technician in the practice of building design and construction.
10. Assist in the assessment of buildings related to repurposing and renovation projects.
11. Ensure personal safety in the workplace.
12. Identify sustainable design and building practices.
13. Use current and emerging technology to support building projects.
14. Assist in the administration of the construction phase of building projects.
15. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

ARCHITECTURAL TECHNICIAN (CO-OP AND NON CO-OP VERSION)
Program Code 0188X03FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Program Resources

CO-OP INFORMATION:
All applicants apply directly to the co-op version of this program through OntarioColleges.ca or our International Application Portal. Applicants not wishing to pursue the co-op version will have the opportunity to opt-out after being admitted to the program but prior to the first co-op work term.

Co-operative education (Co-op) allows students to integrate their classroom learning with a real-world experience through paid work terms. Two academic terms prior to the cooperative education work term, students are required to actively participate in and successfully complete the self-directed co-op course, readiness activities and workshops.

Students must actively conduct a guided, self-directed job search and are responsible for securing approved program-related paid co-op
employment. Students compete for co-op positions alongside students from Algonquin College and other Canadian and international colleges and universities. Algonquin College`s Co-op Department provides assistance in developing co-op job opportunities and guides the overall process, but does not guarantee that a student will obtain employment in a co-op work term. Co-op students may be required to relocate to take part in the co-op employment opportunities available in their industry and must cover all associated expenses; e.g., travel, work permits, visa applications, accommodation and all other incurred expenses.

Co-op work terms are typically 14 weeks in duration and are completed during a term when students are not taking courses. For more information on your program`s co-op level(s), visit the courses tab on your program`s webpage.

International students enrolled in a co-op program are required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to have a valid Co-op/Internship Work Permit prior to commencing their work term. Without this document International students are not legally eligible to engage in work in Canada that is part of an academic program. The Co-op/Internship Work Permit does not authorize international students to work outside the requirements of their academic program.

For more information on co-op programs, the co-op work/study schedule, as well as general and program-specific co-op eligibility criteria, please visit www.algonquincollege.com/coop.

Students who have completed all course requirements equivalent to the Architectural Technician program of study with a minimum GPA of 2.40 are eligible to apply to Level 05 of the Architectural Technology program.

Architectural Technician graduates are eligible to apply for the following Ontario College graduate certificate programs: Green Architecture, Building Information Modeling-Lifecycle Management (BIM-LM). Graduates may also be eligible for advanced standing in the Bachelor of Building Science Degree Program.

For standard delivery, students will be scheduled for two consecutive semesters followed by a one semester break. Exceptions must be approved by the Academic Chair.

Note: Students who are not successful in Level 01 Working Drawings 1 and/or Construction Methods and Materials 1 and/or Architectural CAD 1 will be withdrawn from the program and must reapply through ontariocolleges.ca.