Associate of Science - Construction - Pre-Apprenticeship

Students completing the program will be able to... • Interpret blueprints and specifications. • Apply construction terminology. • Use currently available basic personal protective equipment and be able to select appropriate equipment for a given environment. • Identify the most common sources of occupational injury and death. • Apply principles of job site safety. • Practice professional behavior on the construction site. • Demonstrate a clear understanding of many trades, interactions, interdependencies, and how the basic construction process flows from one trade to another.

This program prepares students for entry-level jobs in the building trades and/or entry into apprenticeship programs. Program content includes introduction to construction processes, occupational health and safety principles, and blueprint reading. In addition, the program provides contextualized math and English, physical education, a survey of trades, and college and workplace successes. Upon completion of the program students will be able to directly enter the Northern California Laborers’ union, enter the Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California pre-apprenticeship program, or apply to a variety of apprenticeship programs, government agencies, and private-sector employers.

The associate in science degree requires eighteen units in the major, a minimum of units of general education units, and 18.5 elective units from a selection of degree applicable units. The certificate program courses also meet some of the requirements of other construction degrees and certificates. Students must complete each course used to meet a major requirement with a “C” grade or higher and maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher in the coursework required for the major. Students are advised that if they have previously completely equivalent or higher level English and/or math courses, these may be substituted for the requirements of the degree major. Many trades require documentation of at least one year of high school or one term of college algebra and higher levels of English and mathematics are highly recommended.

Students are limited to one associate in science degree in construction regardless of the number of specializations completed. Multiple certificates of achievement may be awarded.