Construction Trades Management
A.A.S. - Occupational Degree
Provides graduates with the essential skills required of an entry level employee in the construction trades industry. This program is certified with the National Association of Home Builders through the Home Builders Institute and encompasses the National Skills Standards for the Construction Trades.
Program Purpose
Graduates will demonstrate (1) basic knowledge in the construction trades field which will prepare them to obtain an entry-level position in the field and (2) critical thinking skills in AWC’s General Education focus areas.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of how ropes, chains, hoist, loaders, and cranes are used to move material and equipment on a job site (NCCER module 00106-09 – Basic Rigging, subject to revision).
- Interpret and visualize blueprints for plot plans, foundations, framing, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, masonry, welding, and details.
- Determine quantities and costs for various construction components.
- Describe the various foundation and framing materials and terminology.
- Identify all basic instruments and tools used in wood framing construction and safety practices pertaining to the use of the instruments and tools.
- Identify suppliers and uses of various types of form hardware and accessories.
- Describe the major stages of construction and the role and responsibility of the construction supervisor in each.
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 |
| CTM 230 | Construction Management Field Operations | 3 | Major 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACR 101 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 1 | 3 | Departmental Requirement |
| ECT 105 | Basic Electricity | 3 | Departmental Requirement |
| DFT 100 | AutoCAD 1 - Drafting | 3 | Departmental Requirement |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology/GE (recommended) or another course from Social & Behavioral Sciences |
3 | GE-Social & Behavioral Sciences |
| ENV 101 | Environmental Science/GE (recommended) or another course from Natural Sciences |
4 | GE-Natural Sciences |
| 16 |
Fourth Semester: Spring
| Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECT 115 | National Electrical Code | 3 | Departmental Requirement |
| DFT 102 | AutoCAD 2 - Drafting 2 | 4 | 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 |
| 13 |