Certificate Program in Construction Management
Many opportunities exist for construction professionals with the right sets of skills. To be successful, you must remain competitive during fluctuating economic cycles. Enhance your knowledge of the construction industry and expand your capacity for leadership with the Construction Management Certificate Program.
Acquire the business and technical knowledge to thrive in this challenging industry. Program advisers are business leaders with firsthand experience of issues and current trends. Learn a comprehensive, systems approach to construction management, and gain valuable insight into the construction industry. Leverage today’s opportunities, and remain dynamic.
Gain practical knowledge that matters
- Learn to prepare winning bids.
- Gain the ability to manage construction projects of any size.
- Accurately determine construction methods, labor needs and time estimates.
- Acquire the ability to supervise and monitor all construction activities.
- Discover practical methods for day-to-day management of construction projects.
Designed for professionals like you
This program benefits construction managers and owners, contractors, architects, engineers, framers, electricians, plumbers, mechanical contractors, foundation layers, commercial and residential construction professionals, and real estate and financial leaders.
Learn from the best
Our instructors are construction professionals with practical experience in construction management, law, accounting, insurance and consulting. They use case studies to bring theoretical principles down to earth. Our program advisers are leading members of the business community who have first-hand experience with the construction industry. They advise UC Davis Extension on issues and trends, and provide valuable insights into training needs from the employers' perspective.
The Building Industry Association of Superior California and the Sacramento Builders Exchange endorse this program. Members receive a 10 percent discount on their course enrollment fees with proof of membership.
Courses approved by
UC Davis Department of Civil Engineering
UC Davis Graduate School of Management
Certificate Requirements
Courses may be taken individually or as part of a certificate program. Participants will be awarded a certificate in Construction Management upon the successful completion of 16 required units and six (6) elective units of designated course work. Tuition for the entire Construction Management Certificate Program is $4,860 to $5,210, depending on when you enroll. The certificate application fee ($45), textbooks and parking are not included in the tuition fee.
| UNITS | F | W | SP | SU | ||
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| REQUIRED COURSES | Estimating and Bidding | 3 | 
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| Project Scheduling and Management | 3 | 
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| Construction Accounting and Contract Management | 3 |
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| Construction Law and Contracts | 4 |
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| Integrating Construction Management Principles | 3 |
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| ELECTIVE COURSES | Effective Negotiation Strategies | 3 |
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| Construction Blueprint and Plan Reading | 3 |
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| California Building Codes | 3 |
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| Managing Public Works Projects, Construction Change Orders, and Claims | 3 |
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| Marketing Principles for Construction Professionals | 3 |
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F=Fall W=Winter SP=Spring SU=Summer;
Schedules subject to change
Classroom format
Online Learning format |
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Required Courses
Estimating and Bidding
3 quarter units academic credit, X402.2.
Gain a basic understanding of estimating and bidding procedures, including the role of the estimator, various levels and details of an estimate, CSI format of a general contractor’s bid and the bidding process. Contractors, subcontractors, construction managers, architects and engineers involved with this key phase of commercial construction benefit from this insightful and practical information.
Examine
quantity takeoff; pricing labor, material and equipment; bonding;
productivity
factors; private and public bidding formats; minority requirements; and
markups
and bidding strategies.
Prerequisites:
Construction Blueprint and Plan Reading, or two years experience reading construction blueprints and plans.
Sections of this course open for enrollment:
- Estimating and Bidding starts January 5, 2010
Project Scheduling and Management
3 quarter units academic credit, X402.4. GEN Hours, PDU Hours
Learn a systems approach to project management as well as historical development of planning methods. From preliminary design to final walkthrough, scheduling is critical for successful construction projects. Focus on the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively plan and control projects of any size. Gain an in-depth understanding of scheduling and how to control construction projects. Discuss project manuals; CPM and PERT scheduling techniques; network analysis by computer; resource allocation; claims management; and purchasing, monitoring and controlling long-lead items. Know the ins and outs of fast-track processes from design through construction completion.
This course is not currently scheduled.
Construction Accounting and Contract Management
3 quarter units academic credit, X415.3.
Gain an understanding of basic accounting concepts and how they apply to the construction industry using a team approach to cost management. Construction management teams must anticipate, monitor and control the various components of every job. Beginning with an introduction to accounting, learn cost accounting principles and applications.
Examine profit and loss statements, cash flow
evaluation, revenue projection, job management and closeouts. Learn to
monitor
construction progress and payment schedules, and to administer
contracts and
computer applications for the construction industry.
Sections of this course open for enrollment:
- Construction Accounting and Contract Management starts January 4, 2010
Construction Law and Contracts
4 quarter units academic credit, X406.1. 4 MCLE CEUs, 40 MCLE Hours
Learn to recognize actual and potential legal problems early on with this overview of the legal aspects of contracting and construction. Gain an understanding of the legalities of bidding, the liabilities of contractors and design professionals, mechanic's lien, stop notice and payment bond rights.
Discover the ins and outs of remedies and obligations; performance; licenses and other bonds; contractors’ license law; mediation, arbitration and court trials for dispute resolution; public works projects; and contract phraseology. Explore contracts and contract administration, and then uncover details about risk management and how to avoid litigation. Evaluate the importance of documentation, the effects of change orders and methods for control.
This course is not currently scheduled.
Integrating Construction Management Principles
3 quarter units academic credit, X415.4.
Discover how to comprehensively approach the management of your construction projects. Learn to step back and take a look at the big picture and integrate all you know into the development of an all-inclusive strategy. Improve your decision-making and your bottom line. Increase your efficiency and learn to guide your team effectively.
Using case studies, explore the entire lifecycle of a construction project, including design development, budgeting, contracting methodologies and construction oversight. Guest lecturers join the instructor to provide additional depth and topic-specific expertise.
Prerequisites:
Estimating and Bidding, Project Scheduling and Management, Construction Law and Contracts, Construction Accounting and Contract Management.
This course is not currently scheduled.
Elective Courses
Effective Negotiation Strategies
3 quarter units academic credit, X422.10.
Anyone
negotiating with others who have
strong opinions knows how difficult it can be to reach a
mutually
beneficial resolution. Through the use of skill-building
exercises, case
studies and simulations, examine the interest-based negotiation model
through
practical and theorical perspectives. Focus on the interest-based
process to address
the different values, priorities and goals of each party.
Discover how to
create effective strategies and achieve win-win
solutions.
Examine the
principles that won
President Jimmy Carter his Nobel Prize for Peace with the Camp
David
Accords and that create successful labor/management
negotiations and
enable complex multi-party, decision-making situations to be
successful.
Sections of this course open for enrollment:
- Effective Negotiation Strategies starts January 23, 2010
Construction Blueprint and Plan Reading
3 quarter units academic credit, X406.25A.
It is crucial for anyone involved in construction and manufacturing projects to have the ability to read and understand blueprints and building plans. Whether you're in the field or in the office, you need to know how the site plan affects the building plan, what building departments look for in plan checks and how plans affect contracts. Explore the design-and-build method of the construction process.
Focus on reading and applying blueprints and plans from conceptual drawings to final construction. Improve your understanding of change orders and profit margins.
Guest lecturers
include
designers, contractors, plan checkers and building inspectors who
discuss
their specific field of expertise. Learn how these various perspectives
instrumentally
affect plan reading.
This course is not currently scheduled.
California Building Codes
3 quarter units academic credit, X406.24. MCLE Hours
Anyone involved in construction projects—in the office or in the field—must be knowledgeable about the laws and codes regulating construction in California. Gain that crucial understanding as you examine the Uniform Building, Uniform Plumbing, Uniform Mechanical and National Electrical codes and their applications. Discover the scope and fundamental requirements for building design.
Improve your understanding of the regulations affecting egress, accessibility for the disabled and fire protection. Consider plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems standards. Explore how product standards are developed and how to investigate and verify approvals. Review the California Building Standard Code (Title 24) within the scheme of California's regulations, its basis in law, when and where it applies, and the code adoption process supervised by the California Building Standards Commission.
This course is not currently scheduled.
Managing Public Works Projects, Construction Change Orders, and Claims
3 quarter units academic credit, X406.27.
Discover the major procedures and pitfalls of participating in large public works projects, and review the legal and contractual duties and responsibilities of each participant. Using case studies, explore the process dynamics through contracts, schedules, change orders and claims.
Discuss useful contract provisions and methods of calculating and evaluating change orders and claims. Contractors, subcontractors and public (and private) works administrators involved with managing public works projects, change orders and claims gain a clear sense of how to improve their management processes.
This course is not currently scheduled.
Marketing Principles for Construction Professionals
3 quarter units academic credit, X402.27.
In today’s complex and volatile marketplace, knowledge of marketing techniques and strategies is essential for all construction industry professionals. Develop practical marketing skills and learn methods for maintaining a successful business development program. Explore all aspects of marketing, including communications, planning, research, proposal development, interviews and presentations.
Gain an understanding of business
development life cycles. Learn to cultivate leads and sales, and
develop unique value propositions. Marketing challenges such as brand
stewardship, message architecture, positioning, differentiation and
market
share are covered. Actual experiences and projects provide context for
discussion.
Sections of this course open for enrollment:
- Marketing Principles for Construction Professionals starts January 6, 2010
Choose elective courses from other certificate programs
UC Davis Extension offers a wide array of elective courses in other certificate programs to build the career skills that are right for your goals and plans. Working with UC Davis Extension staff you can choose elective courses in:
- Human Resource Development and Management
- Labor-Management Relations
- Land Use and Natural Resources
- Project Management
- Marketing and Public Relations
- Workplace Health and Safety
Download a brochure
Download a Construction Management courses
(1.4 MB)
The Building Industry Association of Superior California and the Sacramento Builders Exchange endorse this program. Members receive a 10 percent discount on their course enrollment fees with proof of membership.
testimonials
"As a project manager for a commercial contractor, I continuously work to update and learn new skills. I have found the classes offered through the Construction Management Certification Program at UC Davis Extension to be the best source for furthering my education. I've also been working on earning my bachelor's degree in Organizational Management and have been able to transfer the units earned through UC Davis Extension to that university system. Thanks for offering such a great program."
Ed James
"The UC Davis Extension Construction Management Certificate Program is highly beneficial. The instructors are all from the industry and therefore have a working, practical approach to the subject matter. The evening courses allow working professionals the opportunity to further their knowledge without encroaching on their normal workday."
Henry (Hank) S. Lamon, president, Lamon Construction Co., Inc.
"After 22 years as a manufacturer's representative, I wanted to pursue other interests in construction. Supplementing my previous work experience and educational background, UC Davis Extension's Construction Management Program has allowed me to make this transition successfully. I highly recommend this program for anyone looking to make a career change or improve their management skills."
Duane Bendixen, project manager, Eric F. Anderson, Inc.
"Douglas Kavan is a valued employee, and his completion of the UC Davis Extension Construction Management Certificate Program speaks to his dedication for this profession. The benefit of Kavan's certificate works in our favor as well as his own...an outstanding achievement."
Mel Duncan, general superintendent, Elliott Homes
