Construction Certificates

Bucks County Community College, in partnership with Construction Experts, Inc., offers 5 different construction certificates:

  • Construction Estimating (NEW)
  • Construction Practices (NEW)
  • Construction Supervision
    • 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

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)

Online
C30/ 9/14-11/21

Introduction to Construction Estimating

This is a self-paced class which is the gateway to more complex and trade specific estimating courses. It is designed to help estimators polish their estimating skills and learn the basic skills that are absolutely required to produce successful construction estimates. Upon completing this course you will understand the different types of estimates and how to organize an estimating document. This course will build a foundation of knowledge that you will use while estimating virtually any individual trade or project type.

Bob George, M.Ed., M.B.A.
WTMCO 1500 C30/$469 (includes text)

Essential Construction Math

This self-paced class is intended to develop mathematical skills that can be applied to the construction trade through practice and application. This course is an introduction to other courses in construction. While this class is not a prerequisite for any other classes, it does provide a foundation for them.

Joshua Thibodeaux, B.S.
WTMCO 1501 C30/$469 (includes text)

Construction Blueprint Reading

The reading of construction blueprints is a foundational skill in construction. It is a skill that requires practice and some basic knowledge of blueprints. This course will provide you with that foundational knowledge and enough practice at reading blueprints to get you started. Mastery will come with practice and with using blueprints on the job on a regular basis.

Bob George, M.Ed., M.B.A.
WTMCO 1502 C30/$469 (includes text)

Estimating and Bidding 1

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

Dexter Murphy, PE, CPE, PMP
WTMCO 1503 C30/$469 (includes text)

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.

Estimating and Bidding 2

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

Greg Zimmerman, B.S. CPE
WTMCO 1504 C30/$469 (includes text)

Construction Materials and Processes

Gain an overall and elementary 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.

Martin Lightle
WTMCO 1505 C30/$469 (includes text)

Leadership & Motivation for Construction Supervisors

Leadership is one of the most important skills a construction supervisor can master and it can be learned. True, some people are natural born leaders but the other 99% of the population have to learn these skills. Motivated workers are happier, more productive, more satisfied with their job and more willing to put forth extra effort. The leader who truly understands human motivation will find much success in this industry.

David Hahn, B.S.
WTMCO 2001/$369 (plus $156 textbook)

Construction Problem Solving & Decision Making

Most construction supervisors will tell you they spend much of their day solving problems and making decisions. Many of them define their effectiveness based upon their ability to solve problems, yet most construction supervisors have not had any formal training in problem solving and decision making. Untrained construction supervisors can spend way too much time solving problems. Knowledge of the formal process of solving problems and making decisions is essential for the professional construction supervisor.

David Hahn, B.S.
WTMCO 2003/$369 (plus $156 textbook)

Construction Cost Awareness & Production Control

It is every supervisor’s goal to complete his/her project on budget. Learn the skills necessary for effective control of construction costs at the job site. Study construction cost and apply principles and practices associated with cost awareness and production control to each element of the project. Cost control begins with the estimate and then continues through work and cost analysis, production scheduling, reporting, production control and ends with project evaluation. The information will be studied by solving common construction problems, the consideration of case studies and discussion of common cost control issues.

Martin Lightle
WTMCO 2006/$369 (plus $156 textbook)

General and Specialty Contractor Dynamics

This course explores the dynamic relationships that exist between construction contractors of all types, (general contractors, subcontractors, specialty contractors, material and equipment suppliers), to accomplish the execution of a successful project. This course will help the construction professional to understand and recognize the importance of each
part of the construction system and how to coordinate the work within the system.

WTMCO 2010/$369 (plus $156 for text)

". . . Green Construction Classes . . ."

Fundamentals of Green Building Design and Construction

Gain an overview of design and construction delivery systems for high performance green buildings. Look at the US Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in some detail. Sustainability evaluation systems will be reviewed. This course will focus on LEED-NC (new construction) requirements.

Greg Stackel, M. Arch., LEED AP
WTMCO 3000 C30/$469 (includes text)

Building Information Modeling(BIM) with an Emphasis on Green Construction

Gain an overall and elementary understanding of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) concepts. As an introductory course to BIM, you will study the history and implementation of BIM and how it is used within sustainable design. Investigate workflow development including estimating, bidding, quantity take off, project management, supervision and the inter-relations of BIM team members. Learn how companies are using BIM to reduce errors and change orders and how that relates to construction costs savings.

Harry Applin, M.S.
WTMCO 3001 C30/$469 (includes text)

LEED for New Construction: Applying the Guidelines

This course reviews the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Credit System. The foundation of the course will identify and help to understand the objectives of Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Material and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation and Design Process Credits and Prerequisites. Focus is placed on a systematic view of green building, sustainability, Low- Impact Development and Storm Water Issues. Emphasis is on understanding the environmental aspects of LEED. The course studies techniques to reach the goals of LEED in environmental impact, energy and indoor air quality that pertain to building projects and the community surrounding the project.

Harry Applin, M.S.
WTMCO 3002 C30/$469 (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.

David Hahn, B.S.
WTMCO 3003 C30/$469 (includes text)