Construction Certificates

 

Bucks County Community College, in partnership with Construction Experts, Inc., offers several online construction certificates:

  • Construction Estimating
  • Construction Practices
  • Construction Supervision (which can be earned after obtaining the following three certificates)
  • Supervisor Certificate in Project Management
  • On-Site Supervision
  • Construction Supervisory Technologies

Workplace Benefits

  • Be better prepared to succeed at your chosen profession
  • Learn from the experts in the various fields of construction
  • Advance within your current trade or transition into a new career

No entrance exams are required. Course times are scheduled year-round to be compatible with your work commitments. Each course meets online for ten weeks. Discussions using an online bulletin board afford the opportunity to examine everyday construction challenges shared by others in the construction industry. All certificates should be completed within two years of starting the program.

Construction Estimating

Provides an excellent overview of basic and advanced principles of construction estimating and bidding in the construction industry. Must complete 5 of the following 6 classes.

  • Introduction to Construction Estimating
  • Essential Construction Math
  • Construction Blueprint Reading*
  • Estimating and Bidding 1*
  • Estimating and Bidding 2*
  • Construction Materials and Processes*

Construction Practices

Must complete 8 of the following 9 classes:

  • Introduction to Construction Estimating*
  • Essential Construction Math*
  • Construction Blueprint Reading*
  • Estimating and Bidding 1*
  • Estimating and Bidding 2*
  • Construction Materials and Processes*
  • Contract Documents and Construction Law
  • Planning and Scheduling
  • Cost Awareness and Production Control

*These course run every quarter. Summer class dates are:  6/24-9/1 (C30)

Construction Supervision

Who Should Attend

This certificate program is for construction superintendents, project managers, foremen, estimators, safety directors, field engineers and training directors. It is also for anyone aspiring to become any of the above. This certificate program is available to students all over the world with Internet access.

The Certificate in Construction Supervision is issued upon the completion of all nine of the following classes.

Certificate in On-Site Supervision

  • Leadership and Motivation
  • Oral and Written Communications
  • Accident Prevention and Loss Control

Construction Supervisor Certificate in Project Management

  • Contract Documents and Construction Law
  • Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
  • Project Management for Construction Supervisors

Certificate in Construction Supervisory Technologies

  • Planning and Scheduling
  • Cost Awareness and Production Control
  • Construction Productivity Improvement

All Construction Courses Online/ C30/ 6/24-9/1

Introduction to Construction Estimating - Start Anytime

Polish your estimating and other basic skills that are absolutely required to produce successful construction estimates. Identify different types of estimates and how to organize an estimating document. Build the foundation of knowledge that you will use while estimating virtually any individual trade or project type.

ETMCO 1500 C30/$520 (includes text)

Construction Materials and Processes

Gain an overall understanding of construction materials and processes. Study one specific material category, one specific construction process, and an overall construction system each week. Expand your studies to include materials and processes which are normally encountered in the work place. In addition you are expected to research and report on the session materials and processes with respect to sustainable or "green" construction.

ETMCO 1505 C30/ $520 (includes text)

Essential Construction Math - Start Anytime

Develop mathematical skills that can be applied to the construction trade through practice and application in this introductory course. While this class is not a prerequisite for any other classes, it does provide a foundation for them.

ETMCO 1501 C30/ $520 (includes text)

Estimating and Bidding 1

Complete hands-on estimating and quantity take off activities associated with General Conditions, Site Work, Concrete and Formwork, and Masonry Estimating.

Prerequisites: Know how to read blueprints; know how to use spread sheet software; have a basic knowledge of construction estimating subjects; be able to organize your work so it can be easily understood by others. You should consider taking Introduction to Construction Estimating and/or Construction Blueprint Reading if you feel you need more information; they are not prerequisites but they are a part of the Certificate in Construction Estimating.

ETMCO 1503 C30/ $520 (includes text)

Estimating and Bidding 2

Complete hands-on estimating and quantity take off activities associated with Metals, Wood, Doors and Windows, Finishes, Electrical, and Mechanical Estimating.

ETMCO 1504 C30/ $520 (includes text)

Construction Blueprint Reading

Read architectural, structural, civil, mechanical and electrical blueprints.  Practice looking up information and solving common construction problems by reading the blueprints.

ETMCO 1502 C30/ $520 (includes text)

January 14-March 24, 2013

Oral & Written Communication

Acquire skills and understanding of positive direct communication with an emphasis on construction supervision.  Grow in your abilities to help people communicate with you, listen better, and deal with the difficult person.  Develop your skills in negotiating and communicating with all organizational levels and groups.

ETMCO 2002 C30/$420 (plus $156 textbook)

Contract Documents and Construction

This course focuses on understanding the relationship between contract documents and the construction process.  We will explore contractual relationships, legal roles and responsibilities, and contract types.  Legal issues will be studied including regulatory issues, liens, bonds, insurance, and how standardized forms are used.  General conditions clauses that affect levels of decision making authority, project close-out and the superintendents role as agent of the contractor will be studied.  We will study legal issues that often result in construction disputes including differing site conditions, time and schedule impacts, change orders and changed conditions. We will also study contract dispute resolution including negotiations, alternative dispute resolutions, and litigation of disputes.

ETMCO 2004 C30/ $420 (plus $156 textbook)

Planning and Scheduling

Learn and apply basic construction planning and scheduling skills. Prepare bar chart schedules and critical path schedules. Read complex project schedules, and understand the basics of project management by scheduling, Employ acceleration techniques.

ETMCO 2005 C30/ $420 (plus $156 textbook)

June 24 - September 1, 2013

Leadership and Motivation

Recognize your style of leadership and how to utilize other styles when appropriate.  Analyze worker needs and learn how these needs effect motivation.. Determine how to improve job performance and positively influence attitudes and abilities. Learn the various roles of the leader and how these roles can be applied at the job site.

ETMCO 2001 C30/ $420 (plus $156 textbook)

Construction Problem Solving and Decision Making

Understand how to solve and prevent problems and how to make decisions.  Technical problems, human performance problems and scheduling problems will be reviewed.  Learn how to avoid barriers to creative problem solving and how to create a problem solving atmosphere at the jobsite.

ETMCO 2003 C30/ $420 (plus $156 textbook)

Construction Cost Awareness

Study the construction cost control procedures utilized by both small and large construction companies. Cost control will be discussed at both the project level and the corporate level.  You will learn about the cost control cycle and how to ensure effective production control.

ETMCO 2006 C30/ $420 (plus $156 textbook)

LEED for New Construction: Applying the Guidelines

Learn the system used in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction (LEED-NC) and how it impacts the design and construction processes. The environmental aspects of LEED is emphasized in environmental impact, energy, and indoor air quality that pertain to both the building projects and surrounding community. Focus is placed on a systematic view of green building, sustainability, Low-Impact Development and Storm Water Issues. Click here for more information.

ETMCO 3002 C30/ $520 (includes text) 

Building Green Buildings: The Contractor's Perspective

The purpose of this course is to provide construction professionals with information that will help them to effectively bid, contract, build and close out green building projects.  We will explore the green building process from the contractor's and subcontractor's point of view.

ETMCO 3003 C30/ $520 (includes text)

 

See also: Certificate in Green Construction