Construction Management Certificate Program FAQs

Prerequisites, Requirements and Accreditation

  • I don't have a background in construction management. Am I qualified to enter this program?
  • You do not have to have any prior industry experience or prior education to join our program.
  • What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

  • You must earn a grade of C or higher in all six courses to earn a Construction Management Certificate. You have five years from the date of enrollment to complete the certificate.

  • May I enroll in individual courses without completing the certificate?

  • Yes, you may take individual courses without joining the certificate program.

  • How does the “Fast Track model” work?

  • UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Fast Track Certificate format is a convenient way to accelerate the training process. Students can complete a certificate program in twelve months and save on the overall certificate cost with our pre-pay pricing option.

    When you choose the Fast Track Certificate option, we automatically enroll you in one to two classes per quarter, as outlined in that course section description, for four quarters (12 months).

    These are the same classes that you would take individually, but by letting us designate which classes you take in which quarters you receive a 15% discount on the program cost and we waive your $125 Declaration of Candidacy (that is over a $900 savings – like getting one class for free).

    If you have already taken previous Construction Management courses from UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education you are not eligible to join the Fast Track.

    One consideration is that while the fast track program will reduce the cost of the program it is not the right option for all students. Taking two classes in a single quarter can be a big commitment when you factor in personal and professional obligations. There is no flexibility with this format, you must take the classes as they are designated.

  • How long will it take me to complete the Certificate Program?

  • Students in the Fast Track Certificate Program will finish in twelve months. Students who complete one course at a time each quarter will finish in 16 to 18 months. Students can take up to five years to complete the program.

  • What are the best courses to start with? Is there a preferred order to the program?

  • Students can start the program with any course (besides Estimating, Preconstruction and Bidding). Many students report Construction Law and Contracts, Construction Accounting and Financial Management, and Construction Plan Reading and Specifications as good courses to take first. Law and Contracts and Accounting and Financial Management feature more standalone topics and are good entry points to the program.

    Plan Reading is a prerequisite to the Estimating course. Students need to take Plan Reading before Estimating or reach out to program staff to provide documentation and get instructor approval before enrolling in Estimating.

  • What is the cost of the program?
  • Courses range between $865 to $895, for a total cost of $5,250 plus books and the certificate registration fee of $125.
    Fast Track Certificate Program students will pay a total cost of $4,462.50 plus the cost of books. There is no registration fee for Fast Track students. View a full cost breakdown of this program.
  • What is the Early Enrollment Discount?
  • To receive $50 off the cost of your class, enroll two weeks prior to the course start date.
  • Are there program discounts for which I might be eligible?
  • UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education has numerous discounts available to those who take courses a la carte, including group discounts, early enrollment discounts and association discounts such as BIA, SRBX, ASPE, CMAA and Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA) members. The Fast Track program is already highly discounted, and, as such, does not include any additional discounts.
  • Are the courses available in classroom or online?

  • Our courses are online. Most courses have lectures that can be accessed anytime during the week. Project Planning, Scheduling and Control is the only course that includes several mandatory live webinars in addition to the lectures students can access throughout the week. Students are notified of the dates of these webinars in advance. These webinars are not recorded.

  • Is it hard to balance the classes while working full time?

  • Our classes are designed for working professionals, which is why they're available in both online and in-person formats. Our online classes are a mix of pre-recorded lessons and live webinars, offering enough flexibility and variety to keep your education convenient and engaging. 

    For our in-person classes, all of them are held outside of of normal work hours, either in the evenings or Saturdays (or a mix of the two).

    In terms of class work, the general rule of thumb is that for every hour of class you should expect about 2 hours of outside class work – most of our courses are 3 hours per week, that would mean you should expect about 6 hours of outside class work (homework and readings per week).

  • How many classes should I take in a quarter? I work full time.

  • For full time working professionals, we recommend that you take one course per quarter. You can take more if you want, but it is nice to start with one course and then make the decision to increase your course load.

  • Construction management degree versus a certificate
  • A question we hear often is whether or not a bachelor's degree in construction management is worth it? For people considering a career in construction, this is not an uncommon path. A degree in construction management provides comprehensive training and many schools also offer internship programs and other networking opportunities. Construction management degrees, however, take four years to complete and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

    For those unable to invest the time and/or money to earn a bachelor's degree, or for those who may already have a degree in a different field, earning a professional certificate in construction management is also a viable alternative to entering and/or advancing in the industry. Certificate programs, like our Construction Management Certificate Program, offer focused training on only the skills you need to succeed in the role of a construction manager. They also provide training at a fraction of the time and cost it would take to earn a four-year degree. Our program also provides academic credit towards a construction management degree if you chose to pursue one later on.

    Ultimately both options are viable paths towards a career in the construction industry, and choosing which option is best for you will come down to your personal goals.
  • Construction Management Certificate versus general contractors license
  • Our Construction Management Certificate Program teaches you all the essential skills you need to know to excel as a construction manager—from plan reading to accounting and financial management. This program DOES NOT replace a general contractors license, nor does it prepare you to sit for the general contractor’s license exam. Please check with your state or local jurisdiction’s licensing board for licensing requirements.
  • Job Opportunities

  • We do not offer internships or job referrals, however, the instructors and the fellow students in the class make up an invaluable network of people currently employed in the industry and can be a great asset to you in your career.