Construction Management Certificate and AAS
Program Details Construction Management Certificate and AAS
This program may change substantially starting in fall 2025.
We hope to offer a 1-quarter certificate in Site Supervisor Support.
The Construction Management Certificate will be reduced to 45 credits and 3 quarters. See the Fall 2025 tab below.
Here is a general overview of what your classes will look like following each quarter. This information may be subject to change at any time without notice. Please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses. To see what materials are needed for your courses, click this bookstore link Links to an external site. and enter the course information.
General Overview
When can I start? Fall (September)
How long is the program?
- 6 quarters (22 months) with 70 credits for the certificate or 90 total credits for the AAS
When do classes meet? Online -- Monday to Thursday evenings and some Saturday mornings
Are summer classes required? No. There are no construction management classes during summer quarter.
Construction managers make sure that projects run smoothly (and safely) from the design phase through completion. You will learn how to understand blue prints and plans; to estimate costs and maintain budgets; to create schedules and timelines; and to supervise teams effectively. The program also teaches you about sustainable, green or eco-friendly construction.
What does a construction manager do?
What is the average salary?
$126,930 annually Links to an external site. in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most construction managers earn at least $78,410; there is a very wide salary range. Higher salaries may require a four-year bachelor degree.
Who can I contact with questions?
- New students, please visit our Zoom lobby (Links to an external site.) to talk with someone by video chat, or e-mail our advising department.
- For current students, please visit RTC's advising page (Links to an external site and look for the faculty counselor assigned to Construction Management.
Overall Materials Needed:
- Functioning laptop or computer (these are available on campus in the library and Learning Resource Center)
- Webcam and headset with microphone for any online class meetings
- Working internet connection
- Textbooks and materials ($830 for the certificate and $1,000 for the AAS degree)
Note: If you have completed the Office Assistant Certificate, you can use your ASST credits for CONST 103 and CONST 261. You will not have to take these two classes.
Minimum grades or GPA to graduate
You need a 2.0 in all classes except COL 101, CONST 102, CONST 261, and general education (you need a grade of 1.0 or higher in these). Your cumulative or overall GPA must be 2.0 or higher to complete a construction management certificate or degree
Materials Warning
Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class. If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!
Quarter 1 Classes (Fall)
You will learn construction terms and basic management duties. You also study blueprints, different construction materials, and basic office software, including spreadsheets.
These classes will be offered twice per year, in fall and winter quarters.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| CONST 100 | Introduction to Construction Management | YES | 2 |
| CONST 103 | Introduction to Computers | NO | 2 |
| CONST 104 | Construction Documents | YES | 3 |
| CONST 130 | Human Relations, Communication, and Ethics in Construction | NO | 4 |
| CONST 160 | Materials, Methods, and Equipment | YES | 3 |
Quarter 2 Classes (Winter)
You learn about building permits, fire standards, and accessibility. Civil construction covers roads, storm drainage, water and sewer systems. You will learn the complex process of calculating total project costs,
These classes will be offered once per year, every winter quarter. All four have prerequisites. If you do not pass CONST 100, 104, and 160 in Quarter 1, you will not be able to take all of the Quarter 2 classes.
It's time to apply for your certificate!
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONST 112 | Project Safety and Accident Prevention | YES | 4 |
| CONST 113 | Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems | YES | 3 |
| CONST 185 | Civil Construction | YES | 3 |
| CONST 201 | Quantity Takeoff and Estimating | NO | 4 |
Quarter 3 Classes (Spring)
CONST 120 continues your education from CONST 112, with how to identify possible safety risks at a construction site. CONST 298 is your capstone course where you complete a detailed construction project package.
These classes will be offered once per year, every spring quarter. All four have prerequisites. If you do not pass CONST 103, 112, and 201, you will not be able to take all of the Quarter 3 classes.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONST 120 | Safety Planning and Administration | NO | 3 |
| CONST 220 | Construction Planning and Scheduling | YES | 5 |
| CONST 266 | Advanced Technology for Construction I | NO | 2 |
| CONST 298 | Construction Project Management | YES | 5 |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Construction Management Certificate: $6,975
You can earn your AAS degree in Construction Management by completing 45 additional credits:
- 5 credits from General Education Communication and Humanities
- 5 credits from General Education Social Science
- 35 credits from any of the following
- Any General Education area
- CBE 101
- ASST classes (Business Project Specialist)
- ACCT or ACCT& classes (Accounting)
- BUS or BUS& classes (Entrepreneurship and Business)
- PROP classes (Property Maintenance)
- SUR classes (Surveying)
- Up to 25 credits for a journey card in carpentry, roofing, heat and asbestos, or other construction trade
Grand Total Estimate for Your Construction Management AAS Degree: $12,810
Quarter 1 Classes (Fall)
You will learn construction terms and basic management duties. You also study blueprints, different construction materials, and basic office software, including spreadsheets.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| CONST 100 or 101 | Introduction to Construction Management or Introduction to Construction & Architecture only offered in the fall |
YES | 2 |
| CONST 103 | Introduction to Computers or ASST 144 Intro to Computer Applications |
NO | 2 |
| CONST 104 or 140 | Construction Documents or Construction Plan Reading only offered in the fall |
YES | 3 |
| CONST 160 | Materials, Methods, and Equipment only offered in the fall |
YES | 3 |
Quarter 2 Classes (Winter)
You keep developing your project management skills with new training in accounting and contracts. If you want to earn your degree, you also take a Social Science class. A recommended option is listed below, but you can choose any 5 credits from that list in General Education Classes.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONST 115 | Budgeting and Accounting for Construction Management | YES | 5 |
| CONST 112 or 250 | Project Safety and Accident Prevention only offered in winter |
YES | 4 |
| CONST 225 | Contract Administration and Procurement | TBD | 3 |
| for AAS degree only CONST 150 |
Erosion and Sediment Control Planning and Design | TBD | 3 |
Quarter 3 Classes (Spring)
You continue learning about safety on construction sites. Structural design teaches you how to find potential construction issues. You also study effective leadership (working with others) and complete an English class in General Education.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONST 120 or 251 | Safety Planning and Administration only offered in spring |
TBD | 3 |
| CONST 266 | Advanced Technology for Construction I | NO | 2 |
| CONST 270 | Understanding Structural Design only offered in spring |
YES | 2 |
| COMP 100 or ENGL& 101 | Applied Composition or English Composition | NO | 5 |
| for AAS degree only CONST 268 |
Ethics in Construction | TBD | 5 |
Quarter 4 Classes (Fall)
You will learn the complex process of calculating total project costs, and you explore project management software with Gantt and PERT charts. You will complete the required mathematics class for the program. Finally, if you want to earn your AAS degree, you also take a surveying class.
Prerequisite notes: You need to pass CONST 104/140 and CONST 160 before you can enroll in CONST 201/202. You also need to pass CONST 266 before you can enroll in CONST 267.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONST 121 | Human Relations | NO | 3 |
| CONST 267 | Advanced Technology for Construction II | NO | 2 |
| AMATH 175 | Financial Math or more advanced General Education math class | varies by class | 5 |
| for AAS degree only CONST 299 |
Construction Surveying, Earthwork, and Infrastructure | TBD | 5 |
Quarter 5 Classes (Winter)
You will learn about legal requirements for construction projects and environmentally-friendly design. You also explore how specialized systems are integrated into the process.
Prerequisite notes: You need to pass CONST 201/202 before you can enroll in CONST 220/230.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONST 113 | Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Systems | YES | 3 |
| CONST 185 | Civil Construction | YES | 3 |
| CONST 201 | Quantity Takeoff and Estimating | YES | 4 |
| CONST 280 | Building Codes | YES | 2 |
| CONST 269 | LEED Green Associate Preparation | YES | 2 |
Quarter 6 Classes (Spring)
Civil construction covers roads, storm drainage, water and sewer systems. Structural design teaches you how to find potential construction issues. CONST 298 is your capstone course where you complete a detailed construction project package. Finally, for the AAS degree, you will complete a final elective.
Prerequisite notes: You need to pass multiple CONST classes before you can enroll in CONST 260/298.
It's time to apply for your certificate or your AAS degree!
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONST 220 | Construction Planning and Scheduling | YES | 5 |
| CONST 298 | Construction Project Management | YES | 5 |
| for AAS degree only CONST 263 |
Negotiation in Construction | TBD | 2 |
| for AAS degree only BUS&201 or ECON&201 |
Business Law or Microeconomics | NO | 5 |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Construction Management Certificate: $11,055
Grand Total Estimate for Your Construction Management AAS Degree: $12,900
Approved Degree Electives
You need 5 elective credits for your applied associate (AAS) degree. They already are built into the quarterly schedule you see above. You can choose any of the following classes:
- CONST 150 Erosion and Sediment Control Planning and Design (3 credits)
- CONST 151 Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Implementation (3 credits)
- CONST 263 Negotiation in Construction (2 credits)
- CONST 290 Cooperative Work Experience (3 credits)
Quarter 1 Classes (Fall)
You will learn construction terms and basic management duties. You also study blueprints, different construction materials, and basic office software, including spreadsheets.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| CONST 100 or 101 | Introduction to Construction & Architecture only offered in the fall |
YES | 2 |
| CONST 103 | Introduction to Computers or ASST 144 Intro to Computer Applications |
NO | 2 |
| CONST 140 or 104 | Construction Plan Reading or Construction Documents only offered in the fall |
YES | 3 |
| CONST 160 | Materials, Methods, and Equipment only offered in the fall |
YES | 3 |
Quarter 2 Classes (Winter)
You keep developing your project management skills, and you learn about building permits, fire standards, and accessibility. You also take a class about sustainable, environmentally-friendly construction and have the opportunity to take an industry certification exam (LEED GA).
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONST 183 or 113 | Mechanical & Electrical Systems only offered in winter |
YES | 3 |
| CONST 269 | LEED Green Associate Preparation only offered in winter |
YES | 2 |
| CONST 280 or 222 | Building Codes only offered in winter |
YES | 2 |
| AMATH 175 | Financial Algebra or another General Education mathematics class | NO | 5 |
| for AAS degree only CONST 150 |
Erosion and Sediment Control Planning and Design | TBD | 3 |
Quarter 3 Classes (Spring)
Civil construction covers roads, storm drainage, water and sewer systems. Structural design teaches you how to find potential construction issues. You also study effective leadership and complete an English class in General Education.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONST 185 | Civil Construction only offered in spring |
NO | 3 |
| CONST 261 or 121 | Human Relations for the Construction Industry only offered in spring |
YES | 3 |
| CONST 266 | Advanced Technology for Construction I | NO | 2 |
| CONST 270 or 123 | Understanding Structural Design only offered in spring |
YES | 2 |
| for AAS degree only | ECON& 201 Microeconomics or another General Education Social Science class (ANTH, HIST, PSYC, SOC) | NO | 5 |
Quarter 4 Classes (Fall)
You will learn the complex process of calculating total project costs, and you explore project management software with Gantt and PERT charts. You will complete the required mathematics class for the program. Finally, if you want to earn your AAS degree, you also take a class from the Approved Degree Electives list, which you can find at the bottom of this page.
Prerequisite notes: You need to pass CONST 140 and CONST 160 before you can enroll in CONST 202. You also need to pass CONST 266 before you can enroll in CONST 267.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONST 202 or 201 | Quantity Surveying & Estimating only offered in fall |
NO | 4 |
| CONST 267 | Advanced Technology for Construction II | NO | 2 |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition (recommended) or COMP 100 Applied Composition | varies by class | 5 |
| for AAS degree only CONST 299 |
Construction Surveying, Earthwork, and Infrastructure | TBD | 5 |
Quarter 5 Classes (Winter)
You learn three important skills for the construction manager: how to calculate and track project costs, how to set up effective contracts, and how to identify possible safety risks at a construction site. Finally, if you are working on your AAS degree, you will take a natural science class in General Education.
Prerequisite notes: You need to pass CONST 202 before you can enroll in CONST 230.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONST 115 | Budgeting & Accounting for Construction Management only offered in winter |
YES | 5 |
| CONST 225 | Contract Administration & Procurement only offered in winter |
YES | 3 |
| CONST 230 or 220 | Project Management - Planning and Scheduling only offered in winter |
YES | 5 |
| CONST 250 or 112 | Project Safety & Accident Prevention only offered in winter |
YES | 4 |
Quarter 6 Classes (Spring)
Civil construction covers roads, storm drainage, water and sewer systems. Structural design teaches you how to find potential construction issues. CONST 260 is your capstone course where you complete a detailed construction project package. For the AAS degree, you will complete a CMST or CMST& class in General Education.
Prerequisite notes: You need to pass CONST 101, 140, 160, 183, 202, 230, 270, and 280 before you can enroll in CONST 260.
It's time to apply for your certificate or your AAS degree!
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONST 251 or 120 | Safety Planning & Administration only offered in spring |
YES | 3 |
| CONST 260 or 298 | Project Management - Execution of Work only offered in spring |
YES | 5 |
| for AAS degree only CONST 268 |
Ethics in Construction | TBD | 5 |
| CONST 151 or 263 | Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Implementation or Negotiation in Construction | TBD | 3 or 2 |
| Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,235 for certificate (8 credits) and $1,921 for AAS (15 credits) | |||
Grand Total Estimate for Your Construction Management Certificate: $11,055
Grand Total Estimate for Your Construction Management AAS Degree: $12,900
Not quite the path you want to take? Let's go back to the Program Map!