Gain a foothold in the construction industry and earn Professional Development Credits by signing up for an online, self-paced introductory course with SDSU Global Campus.
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About the Program
Now more than ever, the construction industry needs highly-trained, knowledgeable professionals who can adapt to rapidly-changing industry trends and economic conditions. While the industry has experienced a significant downturn in recent months, there’s reason to be optimistic.
With a rapidly-aging national infrastructure in need of repair, combined with environmentally-friendly building initiatives and increased demand for professionals who can work with prefabrication design and advanced construction materials, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job opportunities to grow by 5% over the next decade.
$230
No textbook required
5 Weeks
Completion Time
Online
Course Format
Launch your career in the rapidly-changing construction industry with our two introductory construction courses. Both of these one-unit courses are fully online, so they’re ideal for working professionals and students who value flexibility and convenience. After completing either course, you’ll be fully prepared to enroll in one of our more comprehensive online construction certification programs.
Is This Program Right for Me?
Whether you’ve never set foot on a job site, or you want to build on your construction background and become a full-time laborer or helper, SDSU’s online introductory construction courses can help you quickly and affordably gain a foothold in the construction industry.
There are no prerequisites and no application is necessary to participate in either introductory course, which means that you can sign up no matter what your experience level is. You can participate by logging onto any course from any computer with an internet connection. Best of all, our introductory courses are 100% self-paced, which means you can complete your course on your busy schedule.
After completing either course, you’ll also be ready to begin one of our five Professional Certificates in Construction:
- Professional Certificate in Civil Sitework Construction
- Professional Certificate in Construction Estimating
- Professional Certificate in Construction Practices
- Professional Certificate in Construction Project Management
- Professional Certificate in Construction Supervision
What Can I Learn?
SDSU offers two unique introductory courses to help you build your foundation in construction:
Introduction to Construction
The Introduction to Construction course is ideal for individuals who are seeking a foothold in this growing industry. This course will introduce you to key components of construction, including:
- Project management
- Safety regulations and inspections
- Types of construction
- Scheduling
- Materials
Introduction to Concrete
In the Introduction to Concrete course, you’ll gain a preliminary understanding of building materials and other key components of construction, including:
- An overview of Portland Cement Concrete
- Concrete installation techniques
- Adverse weather concreting
- Makeup and uses of asphaltic concrete
- Concrete makeup, materials, and uses
Meet Your Instructor
Steven Richardson CPE, LEED AP, BD +C, EJD, is president of Proterra Builders Inc. and chief estimator for RIC Construction. He has more than 20 years of estimating experience in correction/detention, healthcare, biotech, education, marine, and commercial construction. Richardson is a retired U.S. Army officer and holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction, MBA, and EJD.
Through his experience and extensive knowledge, you’ll learn what works — and what doesn’t — for job site leaders who are currently working in construction.
- Steven Richardson, CPE, LEED AP, BD +C, EJD
Both courses are fully approved by SDSU’s College of Engineering. You’ll be able to earn three professional development units (PDU) per course, which can raise your career potential through more job opportunities at a higher pay scale.
Career Outcomes
Labor Analysis
Construction Laborers — Nationwide
1,285,200
2020 Employment
+8%
Projected Growth 2020-30
$28,820-$70,310
Average Salary Range
Why Choose SDSU?
Accessibility
All courses are 100% online, completely self-paced, and accessible from anywhere in the world, which means you can complete your courses on your busy schedule.
Expert Instructor
Our introductory courses are led by Steven Richardson, a highly-seasoned leader in San Diego’s local construction industry. Through his leadership and expertise, you’ll forge a solid foundation that you can use to build your career in construction.
Dual-Focused Introduction
You can choose from two unique introductory courses, depending on your goals as an aspiring construction professional. Whether you want to work with building materials, manage projects, perform safety inspections, or do something in between, these introductory courses will help you launch your career quickly.
Want to Learn More?
Submit this web form and we’ll be in touch to answer all your questions and explain the next steps in the process. Or, you can reach a program recruiter by emailing recruiter.global@sdsu.edu or by calling (619) 594-7700.