Carpentry

A.A.S. - Occupational Degree


Provides graduates with the essential skills required of an entry level employee in the carpentry industry. Program curriculum is aligned with National Center for Construction Education Research standardized national skills standards for the construction trades.

Program Purpose


Graduates will demonstrate basic knowledge in carpentry that will prepare them to obtain an entry level position within the field and critical thinking skills in AWC’s General Education focus areas.

Learning Outcomes


  • Identify and explain safe use of power tools that are widely used in the construction industry, i.e. drills, saws, grinders, and sanders (NCCER module 00103-09 – Introduction to Hand Tools, subject to revision).
  • Describe equipment, theory, techniques, and related construction standards.
  • Demonstrate ability to use plans and specifications to determine quantities required to prepare a contract bid.
  • Demonstrate the use and care of foundations and framing instruments and tools.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of interior and exterior wall systems including blocking, bracing, and erection for each type of system.
  • Design footing, stem wall, column, and deck form systems.
  • Demonstrate the principals of efficient written and oral communications.

Program Map


Recommended Program Map / Program Requirements

This program map has been updated for new students starting in Fall 2025 (or after). Students following previous catalogs can find corresponding program maps in Self-Service/Student Planning. For official requirements, refer to the AWC Catalog.

The recommended plan below meets all program requirements. If the classes listed as recommended don’t align with your schedule or interests, alternative options are available. Visit Academic Planning to get started on your personalized Academic Plan or schedule an appointment with your Faculty Advisor or the Advisement Services Office.

First Semester: Fall

Course Course Title Credits Area
CTM 105 Blueprint Reading for Construction 3 Major Requirement
CTM 123 Building Construction Methods 1 3 Major Requirement
TEC 100 Core Curriculum Introductory Craft Skills 5 Major Requirement
ENG 101
or 
ENG 107
Freshman Composition I/GE 3 GE-Written Communication
POS 130 State & Local Politics/GE (recommended)
or another course from Institutions in the Americas
3 GE-Institutions in the Americas
    17  

Second Semester: Spring

Course Course Title Credits Area
CTM 110 Construction Estimating 3 Departmental Requirement
CTM 124 Building Construction Methods 2 3 Major Requirement
ACR 101 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 1 3 Departmental Requirement
SPC 110 Introduction to Speech Communication (recommended) 
or another course from Written & Oral Communication 
3 GE-Written & Oral Communication
MAT 105 Mathematics for Applied Sciences (or higher) 3 GE-Quantitative Reasoning
    15  

Third Semester: Fall

Course Course Title Credits Area
ECT 105 Basic Electricity 3 Departmental Requirement
DFT 100 AutoCAD 1 - Drafting 3 Departmental Requirement
CTM 224 Concrete and Concrete Form Systems 3 Major Requirement
ENT 100 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 3 Departmental Requirement
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology/GE (recommended)
or another course from Social & Behavioral Sciences
3 GE-Social & Behavioral Sciences
    15  

Fourth Semester: Spring

Course Course Title Credits Area
CTM 230 Construction Management Field Operations 3 Departmental Requirement
WLD 106 Techniques in Shielded Metal Arc Welding 3 Departmental Requirement
TEC 165 Employee and Occupational Safety 3 Departmental Requirement
PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy/GE (recommended)
or another course from Arts & Humanities
3 GE-Arts & Humanities
ENV 101 Environmental Science/GE (recommended)
or another course from Natural Sciences
4 GE-Natural Sciences
    16  
Open the program map above to view the recommended classes to complete the program. You can also print the program map using the button above.