FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2007

CONTACT: Steve Dolan
(619) 594-5664
sdolan@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Thursday, October 11, 2007 – The construction industry continues to play a vital role in the development of the San Diego region.

To help meet the need and demand for education and training in this industry, San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies offers numerous construction-related classes through Professional Certificate Programs in Construction Supervision, Construction Practices, and Construction Estimating.

Each professional certificate construction program is taught exclusively online. Students are from virtually all 50 of the United States of America, plus such faraway places as Iceland, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Granada.

"The online courses are a lot nicer for the students and instructor," program advisor and instructor Bob George, CPE said. "The bottom line is that students get an equally high-quality education with all the conveniences of an online class."

In the Professional Certificate Programs in Construction Supervision, students may take three classes and earn a certificate in either On-Site Supervision, Project Management, or Supervisory Technologies. Participants may also take all nine classes and earn the Certificate in Construction Supervisory Series.

The certificate program is based in part on, and includes, the very popular Associated General Contractors Supervisory Training Program (STP) series. Students will be issued an AGC certificate of completion for each course successfully completed.

Students who successfully complete a professional certificate in the Construction Supervisory Series will also receive a certificate of recognition from the AGC. Each course represents 30 hours of instruction.

The Professional Certificate in Construction Practices includes discussions bringing together those who share similar problem-solving and decision-making challenges.

To earn the certificate, students must complete eight of the following 10 classes: Estimating and Bidding I, Estimating and Bidding II, Construction Cost Control, Construction Planning and Scheduling, Construction Supervision, Construction Materials and Processes, Legal Aspects of Construction, Introduction to Construction Estimating, Construction Blueprint Reading, or Essential Construction Math.

This program is offered in cooperation with the San Diego Chapters of the Associated General Contractors of America.

The Professional Certificate in Construction Estimating is authorized by SDSU's Colleges of Business Administration and Engineering and is endorsed by the San Diego Chapter of the American Society of Professional Estimators. To earn the certificate, students are required to receive a passing grade in five courses.

All courses should be completed within two years of starting the program. Courses available include: Introduction to Construction Estimating, Essential Construction Math, Construction Blueprint Reading, Estimating and Bidding I, Estimating and Bidding II, and Construction Materials and Processes.

The College of Extended Studies has long been a leader in the construction education field with its certificate programs. "The courses are widely popular," George said. "Students give us a lot of feedback saying the courses made a difference in their careers."

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers over 35 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. For more information on the cutting-edge opportunities offered in the trades, or other programs, visit the College's web site at www.NeverStopLearning.net.