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Professional Certificate in Construction Supervision

Spring ’25 Registration Now Open!

Enhance your leadership skills and elevate your career in construction by earning a Professional Certificate in Construction Supervision from SDSU Global Campus.

Click the link below to view all of our construction programs.

About the Program

Supervisors are an essential part of any construction project. To become an effective supervisor requires expertise in critical areas such as problem-solving, estimating, management, and supervision.  Additionally, it requires the capability to efficiently lead teams of skilled tradespeople, make data-driven decisions and navigate the project through potential changes and uncertainties.

$5,976

Total Estimated Cost
Textbooks not included

6 Months

Min. Completion Time

SDSU’s Professional Certificate in Construction Supervision program is a comprehensive eight-course certificate program that will help you build on your background in construction and begin to take on supervisory responsibilities. With two unique specializations to choose from — an emphasis in either Civil Sitework or Building — you can become a better leader on the job site in as few as six months.

All courses are offered in cooperation with the San Diego Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America.

Is This Program Right for Me?

SDSU’s construction supervision program is designed to help you acquire the leadership skills you need to take on supervisory roles at various stages of construction projects. It’s ideal for students who have experience in construction, as well as students who are transitioning into construction from another similar field.

There are no prerequisites and no application is necessary to participate in the program, which means that you can take any of our online construction courses. However, our construction supervision program is designed to build on your existing background in the construction industry. If you’re completely new to construction, we also offer two Introduction to Construction courses to help you build a solid foundation in construction.

You can log onto any course from any computer with an internet connection. Most classes have assignments with weekly due dates — please ensure that you can complete any necessary coursework for the duration of the course.

SDSU is a State-approved provider for the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). If you’re unemployed or underemployed, you may be eligible to receive full or partial tuition assistance on this program. Equal Opportunity is the Law. Equal opportunity employer/program auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Click here to learn more.

What Can I Learn?

SDSU’s Construction Supervision program is a variation on the popular AGC Supervisory Training Program with added material that include web tours, expanded topic studies, and group problem-solving sessions that address common industry issues.

You’ll be able to customize your certificate by specializing in one of two emphases:

Professional Certificate In Construction Supervision With An Emphasis In Building

If you’d like to take on supervisory responsibilities during the building phase of a construction project, this certificate will help you gain a more thorough understanding of the building process.

To earn this certificate, you’ll complete two additional classes:

  • Building Green Buildings: The Contractor’s Perspective
  • Construction Project Management

Professional Certificate In Construction Supervision With An Emphasis In Civil Sitework

Interested in job site preparation? This certificate will show you how to supervise the preliminary steps of many different types of construction projects.

To earn this certificate, you’ll complete two additional classes:

  • Construction Equipment and Methods
  • Practical Applications of Heavy Civil Construction

Become A Better Leader

Construction supervisors utilize a range of leadership skills to perform their day-to-day responsibilities effectively. SDSU’s certificate program will help you hone these skills, which include:

People Skills

  • Effective Leadership
  • Accident Prevention
  • Clear Communication

Technical Skills

  • Planning
  • Scheduling
  • Cost Control
  • Productivity Improvements

Management Skills

  • Project Management
  • Contract and Document Comprehension
  • Complex Problem-Solving

Lessons are reinforced by quizzes, which will give you immediate feedback on your understanding of the course content. You’ll set your own class times to complete the work due each week. Typically, you should plan on dedicating about five hours per week, per class.

You’ll learn how to become a better supervisor under the guidance of a panel of expert instructors. Your lessons are led by active career professionals from all levels of the construction industry. Through their experience and extensive knowledge, you’ll learn what works — and what doesn’t — for job site leaders who are currently working in construction.

This certificate in Construction Supervision program is authorized by SDSU’s College of Engineering. This means that you’ll be able to earn three professional development units (PDUs) per course, which can raise your career potential through more job opportunities at a higher pay scale.

Career Outcomes

Labor Analysis
Professional Certificate in Construction Supervision Graduate — Nationwide

  • 853,200
    Job Postings in the last 12 months
  • 7%
    Projected job growth in the next 10 years
  • $68,931
    Average salary of graduates

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

The outlook is bright for construction professionals who work in supervisory roles on the job-site. According to the leading estimates, there are currently more than seven million construction laborers employed across the country, and those numbers are projected to grow by 12% over the next decade.

Salary varies depending on your level of experience, location, and which type of construction projects you’re working on. In 2019, the average salary for a first-line construction supervisor is $66,000 per year. 25% of construction supervisors earn less than $53,400 per year; 25% earn more than $85,540 per year. In California, the average annual salary for construction supervisors is nearly $80,000 per year.

Some of the roles that you’ll be prepared to take on include:

  • Foreman
  • Field Engineer
  • Assistant Superintendent
  • Subcontractor
  • Superintendent
  • Field Coordinator
  • Project Coordinator
  • Assistant PM
  • General Contractor
  • Supervisor

Why Choose SDSU?

Accessibility

All courses are 100% online and accessible from anywhere in the world, which means you can earn your certificate on your schedule. You can complete the program in as few as five months, or take up to two years to complete all your courses.

Expert Instructors

The program is led by seasoned construction professionals with years of industry experience. Through their knowledge, combined with a robust online curriculum, you’ll quickly learn how to become a leader on the job site and supervise projects of any scope.

Personalized Program

What type of supervisor do you want to be? In addition to six core courses, you can customize your certificate by studying either sitework or building, depending on which construction project phase you’re interested in working on.

Enrollment now open for Spring ’25!

In order to earn your Professional Certificate in Construction Supervision, you’ll need to complete six (6) core courses and two (2) additional elective courses, depending on your emphasis. Each course costs $747 and is worth three (3) Professional Development Units (PDUs).

2025 Term Dates

See below list of courses and descriptions. Each course costs $747 and is worth three (3) Professional Development Units (PDUs).

Block 1

Term Dates: Jan. 13-Mar. 23, 2025
Registration Opens: Oct. 30, 2024
Registration Closes: Jan. 20, 2025

Block 2

Term Dates: Apr. 7-June 15, 2025
Registration Opens: Oct. 30, 2024
Registration Closes: Apr. 14, 2025

Core Courses (Spring)

Core CoursesBlock 1 DatesBlock 2 DatesFormat Type
ENGR 0028 Leadership and MotivationApr. 7-June 15
Reg. Close: Apr. 14, 2025
Structured Online
ENGR 0030 Oral and Written CommunicationJan. 13-Mar. 23
Reg. Close: Jan. 20, 2025
Structured Online
ENGR 0031 Contract Documents and Construction LawJan. 13-Mar. 23
Reg. Close: Jan. 20, 2025
Structured Online
ENGR 0032 Planning and SchedulingJan. 13-Mar. 23
Reg. Close: Jan. 20, 2025
Apr. 7-June 15
Reg. Close: Apr. 14, 2025
Structured Online
ENGR 0048 Problem Solving and Risk ManagementApr. 7-June 15
Reg. Close: Apr. 14, 2025
Structured Online
ENGR 0049 Construction Productivity and Cost ManagementApr. 7-June 15
Reg. Close: Apr. 14, 2025
Structured Online

Elective Courses (Spring)

Elective CoursesBlock 1 DatesBlock 2 DatesFormat Type
Emphasis in Civil Sitework
ENGR 0043 Construction Equipment and MethodsJan. 13-Mar. 23
Reg. Close: Jan. 20, 2025
Apr. 7-June 15
Reg. Close: Apr. 14, 2025
Structured Online
ENGR 0044 Practical Applications of Heavy Civil ConstructionApr. 7-June 15
Reg. Close: Apr. 14, 2025
Structured Online
Emphasis in Building
ENGR 0038 Building Green Buildings: The Contractor’s PerspectiveJan. 13-Mar. 23
Reg. Close: Jan. 20, 2025
Structured Online
ENGR 0047 Construction Project ManagementApr. 7-June 15
Reg. Close: Apr. 14, 2025
Structured Online

Dates and fees subject to change.

Registration Instructions

Continuing Students

If you have enrolled in your program within the past three terms, you are considered a continuing student. Starting in the summer 2024 term, continuing students can simply log into my.SDSU and register for upcoming courses in their program once the registration period opens. You’ll still need to complete your full payment in my.SDSU after your registration has been submitted.

These courses are not delivered or available through Canvas.  All courses are delivered in partnership with Construction Experts, Inc. through the learning management platform available here: https://www.constructionclasses.education/.

Please visit my.sdsu.edu for more information.

New Students

If you have not enrolled within the past three terms, you will need to enroll in the program as a new student to register for courses. Please complete the following steps below to get started.

  1. Once you’ve chosen your courses, click the Enroll button below to begin the registration process. Please indicate on the form that you’d like to register for courses. Enroll
  2. Once you’ve filled out the Enrollment form, you’ll receive a confirmation email from SDSU Global Campus within 2-3 business days with the next steps to complete your enrollment.
  3. Once registration opens for your courses, you can register in the my.SDSU portal.
  4. Approximately one week before your class starts, passwords and information to log into your online classroom will be sent directly to your @SDSU.edu email address from constructionclasses@gmail.com or your instructor with an @constructionclasses.com email address. Please be sure to check your SDSU email account inbox as well as your spam folder for this important information.
  5. These courses are not delivered or available through Canvas.  All courses are delivered in partnership with Construction Experts, Inc. through the learning management platform available here: https://www.constructionclasses.education/.

Finished All The Required Courses?

Click the button below to receive your certificate.

Enrollment now open for Spring ’25!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I check my progress?

Students taking our construction intro courses can check their progress by logging into my.SDSU. If you need assistance with your account, contact our Registration staff at 619-594-5152 or enrollment.global@sdsu.edu.

Current course progress can be accessed by logging into https://www.constructionclasses.education/

How do I access my classes?

After registering for classes, you will receive access to the learning management system at https://www.constructionclasses.education/ where you will access all of your classes.  These courses are not available in Canvas.  Your login details will be sent to your @SDSU.edu email address approximately one week before your class starts from constructionclasses@gmail.com.  Please be sure to check your SDSU email account inbox as well as your spam folder for this important information.

Do I receive a letter grade once I complete my course(s)?

You’ll earn three units of professional development credit from SDSU for each intro course you complete. Other institutions may or may not accept this for academic credit; please confirm with these institutions that SDSU’s courses are transferable before enrolling in our courses.

How is the program structured?

Our construction courses are 100% online. Courses begin four times per year. You must complete all necessary coursework within 10 weeks from your date of enrollment. You’ll have access to course materials for up to 12 weeks from the date of enrollment.

What is the program format?

This program is online. Please note that specific courses within this program have different formats. Visit our Courses tab above for specific course formats.

Is there financial support available for this program?

The Professional Certificate in Construction Supervision is eligible for tuition assistance for unemployed and underemployed students through the San Diego Workforce Partnership.

Federal financial aid does not generally apply to our online construction programs, but you may qualify for other private loans from lending institutions, or employer-based tuition reimbursement programs. Please see our Financial Aid Information to learn more.

Do my courses require textbooks and where can I purchase them?

Some of your courses may require textbooks. Click here for a list of textbooks along with purchasing instructions from the SDSU Bookstore’s website. Textbooks are also available new or used through many online retailers.

How do I receive my Professional Certificate once I’ve finished the program?

Once you’ve completed all the program requirements, fill out a certificate request form. SDSU Global Campus will verify that you’ve completed all the required courses and assignments. Once you’ve been verified, you’ll receive a digital copy of your certificate.

Related Links

Request Your Certificate
FAQ – Online Construction Certificates
Additional Certificate Programs
Construction Programs
Tour an Online Construction Classroom
Construction Courses 2024 Schedule
Construction Courses 2025 Schedule

This program presented in partnership with a third-party provider is not taught by San Diego State University faculty. It is authorized by SDSU’s College of Engineering for professional development credit. Courses offered in partnership with third-party providers are not degree-eligible at San Diego State University.