Construction Certificates

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

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/ 1/18-3/27; C31/ 4/5-6/12

Estimating

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.

WTMCO 1500 C30 & C31/$499 (includes text)
Online: C30/ 1/18-3/27; C31/ 4/5-6/12

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.

WTMCO 1505 C30 & C31/$499 (includes text)

Essential Construction Math

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.

WTMCO 1501 C30 & C31/ $499 (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.

WTMCO 1503 C30 & C31/$499 (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

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

WTMCO 1504 C30 & C31/$499 (includes text)

Construction Productivity Improvement

Organize a project with productivity as your goal. Challenge the work process, learn about personnel management, and practice work improvement analysis. Understand workers' abilities and the impact of environmental factors. Complete the course with a discussion of implementing and monitoring the productivity program.

WTMCO 2009 C31/$399 (plus $156 for 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. Build that foundational knowledge with 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.

WTMCO 1502 C30 & C31/ $499 (includes text)

Accident Prevention and Loss Control

Improve the delegation of responsibility for safety, equipment maintenance, and common construction hazards. Learn how to administer an accident prevention program at the job site level and how to handle a job site inspection by a regulatory agency. You will review the documentation, reference materials and advisory services that are available to you as the construction supervisor.

WTMCO 2007 C31/$399 (plus $156 for text)

Project Management for Construction Supervisors

The modern project manager has more information available than ever before and information technology is changing rapidly. Learn how project management roles are changing as innovative contracts, alternate delivery systems, alternative dispute resolution, and creative project financing are increasingly changing how projects are administered. Learn about cost and risk control as well as how to develop and apply policies and procedures.

WTMCO 2008 C31/$399 (plus $156 for text)

Oral & Written Communication

Communication is multi-faceted. It includes nonverbal communication, body language, listening, inflection, and written communication. Without quality skills in each of these categories you are putting yourself and your career at risk. Become a more effective supervisor by becoming a more effective communicator. You will be able to put these skills to use right away!

WTMCO 2002 C30/$399 (plus $156 textbook)

Testimonial: I wish I had taken this class BEFORE I started my present job. It has been a great help! . . . . Maryann F.

Contract Documents & Construction Law

Develop an understanding of the relationship between contract documents and the construction process. Explore contractual relationships, legal roles and responsibilities, and contract types. Study legal issues 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 superintendent's role as agent of the contractor will be studied. You will study legal issues that can result in construction disputes including differing site conditions, time and schedule impacts, change orders and changed conditions. You will also study contract dispute resolution including negotiations, alternative dispute resolutions, and litigation of disputes.

WTMCO 2004 C30/$399 (plus $156 textbook)

Planning & Scheduling

Planning and scheduling is a primary technical skill required of you as the construction supervisor. Study construction planning and practice preparing a project plan. Through the use of case studies and workshop activities, you will be able to define construction activities, determine activity duration, assemble the activities into a logical construction schedule and communicate the project plan effectively. Explore the use of computers in construction scheduling and some of the popular scheduling programs currently in use.

WTMCO 2005 C30/$399 (plus $156 textbook)
Online: C30/ 1/18-3/27; C31/ 4/5-6/12