Construction Management

The Associate of Science, and certificate, in Construction Management is designed to prepare students for employment and advancement in the high demand construction industry. The program emphasizes workforce readiness by equipping students with core technical and managerial competencies used across public works, private development, and consulting roles. Students develop job-ready skills in blueprint reading, cost estimating, scheduling contracts, project delivery and construction law- al foundational for professional success in roles such as assistant project manager, field engineer, construction coordinator, estimator or superintendent.

Courses are designed in alignment with industry practices, public agency expectations, and advisory board input. Instruction includes hands-on estimating and scheduling exercises, exposure to public contract code requirements, and application of modern tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and LEAN principles. Upon completion, students are prepared to contribute meaningfully to multidisciplinary construction teams and are encouraged to pursue additional certifications or associate degree pathways in construction management or public works.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of construction management concepts and practices across pre-construction, construction, and closeout phases.

2. Interpret construction plans and specifications and apply foundational estimating and scheduling techniques.

3. Apply construction law and contract principles to identify risk and ensure regulatory compliance.

4. Evaluate and compare project delivery methods, including DBB, CMAR, and IPD, for both public and private sector projects.

5. Communicate effectively in a construction team environment using industry tools and documentation methods.

6. Demonstrate readiness for high-wage, high-growth careers in the construction industry.

20-25

This degree aligns with local and regional labor market needs and responds directly to input from the Santiago Canyon College Technical Advisory Committee, which emphasized the importance of modular, career-focused certifications tied to industry standards and employment outcomes.

• Prepare students for high-demand, high-wage career paths such as assistant project manager, construction coordinator, estimator, scheduler, and superintendent.
• Equip students with job-ready competencies in construction project delivery, blueprint reading, estimating, scheduling, contracts, and construction law.
• Support advancement and stackable credentialing, providing a pathway toward other certificates and associate degree options in Public Works or Construction Management.
• Promote lifelong learning and upskilling for professionals already in the field by integrating emerging technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and LEAN project delivery principles.
• Enhance civic and regulatory literacy by educating students on public contracting rules, legal responsibilities, and industry codes and standards that apply in government-funded construction projects.

Courses are designed in alignment with industry practices, public agency expectations, and advisory board input. Instruction includes hands-on estimating and scheduling exercises, exposure to public contract code requirements, and application of modern tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and LEAN principles. Upon completion, students are prepared to contribute meaningfully to multidisciplinary construction teams and are encouraged to pursue additional certifications or associate degree pathways in construction management or public works.

Program Requirements:

 Construction-140: Construction Plan Reading and Specifications

  Construction-141: Estimating and Bidding for Construction Projects

  Construction-142: Construction Scheduling and Resource Planning

  Construction-143: Construction Law and Contracts

Construction- 144: Project Scheduling and Operations Control

 Construction-145: Construction Project Management: Bid and Beyond

Total Units: 18

The Associate of Science in Construction Management builds upon and complements Rancho Santiago Community College District’s existing offerings in Public Works and Business housed in the Business and Career Education Division. It fills a key curricular gap by offering a focused, skills-based pathway specifically tailored to construction project management and contract administration and will be housed in the newly formed construction department.

While the college currently offers courses and certificates in code enforcement, construction inspection, and public works, this program differentiates itself by concentrating on the managerial, legal, and administrative aspects of construction delivery. It is also aligned with labor market trends indicating a strong regional need for assistant project managers, estimators, and construction coordinators—roles that are not the explicit focus of other existing programs.

This degree fits seamlessly into RSCCD’s broader Guided Pathways framework and supports students who may later pursue:

A full associate degree in Public Works or Construction Management

Industry certifications (e.g., DBIA, CMAA, ASPE)

Transfer to four-year institutions offering construction or project management concentrations

Several community colleges in the Orange County region offer programs in construction technology, inspection, or trades education; however, few focus specifically on the project management and contract administration aspects of construction delivery. The proposed Associate of Science in Construction Management at Rancho Santiago CCD fills this gap by emphasizing project delivery methods, cost control, construction law, scheduling, and the use of modern tools like BIM and LEAN practices.

For comparison:

• Orange Coast College (OCC) offers a Construction Technology program with options in Construction Management, but the emphasis remains largely on field operations and technical skills.
• Fullerton College has an AS Degree in Construction Management and a Construction Technology certificate; however, these are part of a broader technical pathway and require a longer time to complete.
• Saddleback College provides a Construction Inspection certificate with a focus on building systems and code compliance rather than project oversight and delivery models.
• Santiago Canyon College already offers a Public Works pathway, but it is focused more on municipal services and inspection practices, not private-sector construction management or strategic delivery planning.

There is clear differentiation between these existing programs and the proposed degree. Employers in both public works and private contracting have expressed a need for job candidates with focused training in project delivery models (e.g., CMAR, Design-Build, IPD), contract interpretation, estimating, scheduling, and professional communication, all of which are integrated into the proposed degree. This degree provides a faster, more affordable credential than a full associate degree and serves as a workforce-aligned entry point for students, returning professionals, and incumbent workers seeking advancement. Given the projected regional growth in construction, particularly from infrastructure investments and public bond measures, the demand for trained construction managers and coordinators is expected to rise, reinforcing the need for this program.

25-30