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Construction Schools and Programs in The United States

27 schools in The United States teach Construction.

Construction Studies in The United States

Construction training in the United States covers two kinds of study. One is practical training in the building trades, such as carpentry, electrical wiring or heating and air conditioning, taught mainly at community and technical colleges. The other is construction management, which the University of Florida's Rinker School describes as the planning, coordination and supervision of a project from beginning to completion, and which is taught at both colleges and universities.

How the training is organised

Community colleges offer two-year programmes leading to an associate degree, as well as technical and vocational programmes with close links to local employers, according to EducationUSA. In construction, the usual qualifications are a certificate, which is shorter, and an applied associate degree. Montgomery College in Maryland, for example, offers a Building Trades Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree with concentrations in carpentry, electrical wiring and HVACR, and a Building Trades Technology certificate. It also offers a certificate and an AAS degree in management of construction.

Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York, offers a Construction Technology - Building Construction degree. The college describes hands-on training in all aspects of residential building, including framing, foundations, masonry, insulation, interior finishing, plumbing and electrical work. Its graduates may enter the workforce or continue their education at a four-year college.

At university level, construction management is a bachelor's degree, which EducationUSA says is usually completed in four years of full-time study. At the University of Florida, the core curriculum builds on technical, managerial and business courses. The Rinker School also offers a master's degree and a PhD concentration in construction management.

Transfer is common. EducationUSA describes the "2+2" route, in which a student earns a bachelor's degree with two years of community college followed by two years of university study. Montgomery College lists three transfer pathways from its construction management programme to bachelor's degrees at Maryland universities.

Apprenticeships

Many trades are learned at work. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), carpenters typically need a high school diploma and learn on the job or through apprenticeships, which are sponsored by groups such as unions and contractor associations. The US Department of Labor describes Registered Apprenticeship as a career pathway in which individuals obtain paid work experience with a mentor, classroom instruction and a nationally recognised credential. Apprenticeships are offered through an employer or programme sponsor, and candidates apply to them directly. They are jobs with an employer, not programmes that a college admits students to. Some colleges provide the classroom part: Montgomery College states that it is a member of the Registered Apprenticeship-College Consortium.

Admission, language and visas

EducationUSA states that undergraduate applicants generally must have completed high school and be at least 17 years old, and that an English language proficiency test is required before admission. It also notes that community colleges have a more flexible admissions process.

International students must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). EducationUSA lists the F student visa for study at an accredited US college or university and the M student visa for non-academic or vocational study or training. Which one applies depends on the programme, so it should be confirmed with the college before applying.

Where to study construction in the United States

Most of the schools listed on this page are community and technical colleges, and they are spread over many states with no single centre. Examples are Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, Nashville State Technical Community College and Western Nevada College in Carson City. Universities on the list include the University of Florida in Gainesville, The Ohio State University in Columbus, Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction and Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. Teaching is in English.

Recognition of the qualification

US higher education is not centrally organised: institutions are accredited at national or regional level by independent accrediting bodies. Construction programmes can also be accredited individually; the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) accredits construction education programmes offered by colleges and universities. Licensing is a matter for each state. The BLS notes that some states require construction managers to be licensed. Students who plan to work in another country should check how a US certificate or degree is recognised there.

Careers

The BLS projects about 587,000 openings each year, on average, in construction and extraction occupations from 2025 to 2035. Carpenters held 889,700 jobs in 2025, and employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035. Construction managers typically need a bachelor's degree, although some earn an associate degree in construction management or construction technology, which combined with work experience may be typical for managers of small projects. Employment of construction managers is projected to grow 9 percent over the same period, from 609,100 jobs in 2025.

Frequently asked questions

How long does construction training take in the United States?

An associate degree at a community college takes two years, and certificates are shorter. A bachelor's degree in construction management usually takes four years of full-time study.

Can I become a construction manager with an associate degree?

Sometimes. The BLS says construction managers typically need a bachelor's degree, but an associate degree combined with work experience may be typical for managers who supervise small projects.

Can international students do an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are paid jobs offered by an employer or programme sponsor, and candidates apply to them directly, not through a college. International students normally enrol in a college certificate or degree programme, and should ask the college which work rules apply to their visa.