Construction Management

Business & Technology
Degree awarded: Associate in Applied Science

Program Narrative
Large-scale construction requires well-trained managers whose role it is to stay on top of every detail of the job. Construction managers must to be familiar with all aspects of the building process, but they also need to be strong leaders. Because of this, our program not only covers essentials such as codes and blue print reading, but also includes business law, ethics, planning and scheduling and other important management tools. This comprehensive approach results in graduates who are ready to be effective managers and administrators within the construction industry.

Program Features
Through our balanced mix of liberal arts, specialized courses and hands-on training, Northampton offers you tremendous opportunity for success and professional growth. Our required practicum provides essential real world experience. During the practicum you will have the opportunity to perform various construction management functions, gain insight into the challenges of managing a site, and enhance your critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills.

This program can be completed in the day or evening, on a full-time or part-time basis. A few courses may not be offered in the evening every semester so students are advised to plan their schedule carefully to avoid any delay in graduation.

Program Requirements
Students are required to secure a workplace sponsor for the practicum. Assistance can be provided by the construction management staff to facilitate sponsorship.

Core Progressive Threads of Construction Management

• Leadership and supervisory
• Health and Safety
• Legal and ethical
• Effective Communication and Public Relations

Program Outcomes

Graduates of Northampton Community College's A.A.S. degree in Construction Management will be able to:

• Understand the importance of management functions of planning, organizing, leading and controlling.
• Describe construction operations as they relate to production processes, logistics, specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Integrate health and safety issues within the confines of regulatory compliance and current industry standards to the construction industry.
• Interpret building and zoning codes and other regulatory requirements.
• Interpret technical information in the form of architectural drawings, schematics, specifications, graphs and procedures.
• Utilize effective written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Apply legal and ethical principles related to the construction industry.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of accounting/finance functions as it relates to the construction industry.

• For the General Education Electives, students must take one course from Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time (SIT) and Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior (SSHB); one course should be designated as Diversity (D).
• Completion of PHIL 202G satisfies the Writing Intensive (WI) requirement.

Career Potential: Construction technicians and tradespersons, Construction managers, Construction administrators, Construction and building inspectors, Construction cost estimators Superintendents, Project managers, Construction company owners, Construction equipment operators, Code enforcement officer, Construction specifier