Majors and Concentrations
While many positions in the construction field do not require a college degree, there are several majors which provide foundational knowledge which can be helpful in the field, particularly in management positions, or if you’d like to own your own business. These include:
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Urban Planning
- Business Management
- Construction Management
- Project Management
- Surveying
- Building Engineering and Management
- Construction Science
- Civil Engineering
- Building Science
Trades programs:
- Electrical and power transmission installers
- Building management and inspection
- Carpentry
- Plumbing and water supply
- Masonry
- Welding
Construction Trades
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection
Building Construction Technology
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to residential and commercial building construction and remodeling. Includes instruction in construction equipment and safety; site preparation and layout; construction estimating; blueprint reading; building codes; framing; masonry; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; electrical and mechanical systems; interior and exterior finishing; and plumbing.
Building/Construction Site Management/Manager
A program that prepares individuals to supervise, manage, and inspect construction sites, buildings, and associated facilities. Includes instruction in site safety, personnel supervision, labor relations, diversity training, construction documentation, scheduling, resource and cost control, bid strategies, rework prevention, construction insurance and bonding, accident management and investigation, applicable law and regulations, and communication skills.
Building/Home/Construction Inspection/Inspector
A program that prepares individuals to apply industrial, labor, and governmental standards and laws to the oversight of construction projects and the maintenance of completed buildings and other structures. Includes instruction in construction processes and techniques, materials analysis, occupational safety and health, industry standards, building codes and specifications, blueprint interpretation, testing equipment and procedures, communication skills, accident investigation, and documentation.
Building/Property Maintenance
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to keep a building functioning, and to service a variety of structures including commercial and industrial buildings and mobile homes. Includes instruction in the basic maintenance and repair skills required to service building systems, such as air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical, major appliances, and other mechanical systems.
Carpet, Floor, and Tile Worker
A program that prepares individuals to plan, prepare, install, and repair carpet; linoleum; vinyl; ceramic, marble, quarry, mosaic, and terrazzo tiles; and wood materials on floors, walls, and stairs. Includes instruction in measuring, cutting, and installing materials; use of hand and power-operated equipment; estimation of material and labor costs; and safety training.
Concrete Finishing/Concrete Finisher
A program that prepares individuals to prepare, construct, and finish buildings, components, and related structures using compound masonry mixtures of stone, gravel, sand, cement, and water. Includes instruction in site preparation, applied mathematics, mixing formulas and applications, job estimation, concrete design, finishing techniques, mold preparation, reinforcement installation, site safety, and equipment operation and maintenance.
Drywall Installation/Drywaller
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, tape, and plaster drywall installations in interior and exterior construction jobs. Includes instruction in drywall handling and transport, cutting and mounting, taping and spackling, finishing, job analysis and estimation, site safety, tool operation and maintenance, blueprint and specification interpretation, and applicable codes and standards.
Glazier
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to install and repair fixtures, sheets, windows, and skylights made of glass, plexiglass, and other transparent materials. Includes instruction in site measurement, job analysis and estimation, material cutting and trimming, window and door installation, site safety, equipment operation and maintenance, specification interpretation, and applicable codes and standards.
Insulator
A program that prepares individuals to apply insulation materials to pipes, boilers, ducts, refrigeration systems, and related equipment to reduce the passage of heat, cold, sound, or fire. Includes instruction in insulation specifications, measuring and cutting insulating material, applying and securing insulation, installing vapor barriers, insulation system maintenance, asbestos removal and abatement, and safety training.
Metal Building Assembly/Assembler
A program that prepares individuals to construct industrial, storage, and commercial metal structures using prefabricated framing and siding components. Includes instruction in sheet metal working, ironworking, assembly and fastening techniques, blueprint reading, site preparation, structural design principles, safety, and applicable codes and regulations.
Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to finish exterior and interior structural surfaces by applying protective or decorative coating materials, such as paint, lacquer, and wallpaper. Includes instruction in surface preparation; selecting, preparing, and applying paints and other coatings; hanging wallpaper; equipment operation and maintenance; finish selection; safety and clean-up; environmental effects on finishes; adhesion properties; and applicable codes and standards.
Roofer
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to prepare, install, and maintain exterior roofing materials and roofs. Includes instruction in building materials, flashing, lag bolts, site safety, equipment operation and maintenance, layering, site preparation, basic internal structural design, finishing, waterproofing, and applicable codes and standards.
Carpenters
Carpentry/Carpenter
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to lay out, cut, fabricate, erect, install, and repair wooden structures and fixtures, using hand and power tools. Includes instruction in technical mathematics, framing, construction materials and selection, job estimating, blueprint reading, foundations and roughing-in, finish carpentry techniques, and applicable codes and standards.
Construction Trades, General
Construction Trades, General
A program that generally prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the building, inspecting, and maintaining of structures and related properties. May include instruction in masonry, carpentry, electrical and power transmission installation, building/construction finishing, management, inspection and other construction-related applications.
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
Electrical and Power Transmission Installation/Installer, General
A program that generally prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to install indoor and outdoor residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems, and associated power transmission lines. Includes instruction in electricity, safety procedures, wiring, insulation and grounding, schematic blueprint interpretation, equipment operation and maintenance, and applicable codes and standards.
Electrician
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, operate, maintain, and repair electric apparatus and systems such as residential, commercial, and industrial electric-power wiring; and DC and AC motors, controls, and electrical distribution panels. Includes instruction in the principles of electronics and electrical systems, wiring, power transmission, safety, industrial and household appliances, job estimation, electrical testing and inspection, and applicable codes and standards.
Lineworker
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, operate, maintain and repair local, long-distance, and rural electric power cables and communication lines; erect and construct pole and tower lines; and install underground lines and cables. Includes instruction in cable installation and repair, fibre-optic technology, trenching, mobile equipment and crane operation, high-voltage installations, maintenance and inspection, safety, remote communications, and applicable codes and standards.
Mason/Masonry
Mason/Masonry
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the laying and/or setting of exterior brick, concrete block, hard tile, marble and related materials, using trowels, levels, hammers, chisels, and other hand tools. Includes instruction in technical mathematics, blueprint reading, structural masonry, decorative masonry, foundations, reinforcement, mortar preparation, cutting and finishing, and applicable codes and standards.
Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services
Blasting/Blaster
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in using a variety of explosive materials to aid in the construction process. Includes instruction in safety procedures for storing, handling, placement, charge power determination, drilling, pounding, building demolition, preparing rocky surfaces for building foundations and demolition of explosives.
Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter
A program that prepares individuals to design, install, and test industrial and commercial piping systems and automatic fire and exposure protection systems. Includes instruction in water systems, steam systems, heating and cooling systems, lubricating systems, piping materials, installation tools operation and maintenance, valve installation and repair, technical mathematics, blueprint interpretation, and applicable codes and standards.
Plumbing Technology/Plumber
A program that prepares individuals to practice as licensed plumbers by applying technical knowledge and skills to lay out, assemble, install, and maintain piping fixtures and systems for steam, natural gas, oil, hot water, heating, cooling, drainage, lubricating, sprinkling, and industrial processing systems in home and business environments. Includes instruction in source determination, water distribution, waster removal, pressure adjustment, basic physics, technical mathematics, blueprint reading, pipe installation, pumps, welding and soldering, plumbing inspection, and applicable codes and standards.
Well Drilling/Driller
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to set up, maintain, repair, and operate well drilling equipment; locate, drill, construct, and develop water, gas, and oil wells; and test and monitor wells to ensure adequate flow. Includes applications to home, business, and industrial uses.