The Certificate in Civil Sitework Construction will equip students with career advancement skills in the areas of site work development including excavation, site utilities, and road way improvements. This online program will help students develop usable skills in understanding construction equipment utilization, civil blueprint reading, and civil estimating. The program focuses on skills needed by constructors interested in site development. Excavation, roads, bridges, and underground utilities will also be covered. Students will learn how to work with the earth, how to select, use, and budget for the best equipment needed to transform a plot of land into a developed site and how to utilize related construction documents.

Spring Block II & Summer Courses Now Available

Register Today

Learn how to prepare construction sites for construction by earning your Professional Certificate in Civil Sitework Construction from SDSU Global Campus.

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

VIEW PROGRAMS

×

About the Program

Before any construction takes place, there are many steps that need to take place when preparing a job site for development — including clearing, grubbing, shoring, and acquiring heavy sitework equipment to begin excavation and utility installation. Sitework is a vital stage in any construction project, and requires highly-skilled construction professionals that can prepare a job site quickly and efficiently.

$3,450

Total Estimated Cost
Textbooks not included

5 Months

Min. Completion Time

Online

Course Format

Take an active role in the preliminary steps needed to prepare a job site for construction by earning your Professional Certificate in Civil Sitework Construction from SDSU Global Campus. All courses are 100% online, open to all, and run throughout the year.

Is This Program Right for Me?

Whether you’re already a sitework laborer and want to move into a supervisory position, or you’re transitioning into sitework from a different role in the construction industry, this program will help you acquire the in-demand skills that employers are looking for in their next sitework professionals.

SDSU’s civil sitework certificate program will prepare you to work on many types of job sites, including:

  • City projects
  • Highways
  • Government buildings
  • Schools
  • Residential housing projects
  • Bridges
  • Roadways

There are no prerequisites and no application is necessary to participate in the program, which means that you can register for any of our online construction courses no matter what your experience level is. However, if you’re completely new to the industry, 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.

San Diego Workforce Partnership: Creating Workforce Solutions

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.

Tour an Online Classroom

What Can I Learn?

Before any actual building takes place, teams of laborers, engineers, and supervisors need to prepare the job site for construction. From excavation and stabilizing subgrade to installing drainage systems, septic systems, and other utilities, sitework is a lengthy and complex process —but it’s a vital step in ensuring that the construction project will be a success.

SDSU’s Certificate in Civil Sitework Construction will equip you with the skills you need to transform a plot of land into a developed site in preparation for a construction project. Courses cover a wide range of topics in the field of civil site development, including:

  • Construction equipment utilization
  • Blueprint reading
  • Estimating
  • Excavations
  • Roads, bridges, and underground utilities
  • Earthwork
  • Construction documents

Online lessons are supplemented 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 about civil sitework construction 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 Civil Sitework 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
Construction Laborers — Nationwide

 

448,000
Last 12 months

 

+12%
Over 10 years

 

$88,310
Average Salary

The construction industry needs knowledgeable job site leaders who can take an active role through the entire construction project lifecycle. 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.

Any preliminary work on a construction project requires teams of highly-trained, knowledgeable construction laborers. The outlook for construction laborers is bright; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently over 1 million construction laborers employed across the country, and those numbers are projected to grow by 5-7% over the next decade, which is faster than the national average rate of employment growth.

By participating in SDSU’s Civil Sitework program, you’ll be well-prepared for work in a variety of roles throughout the preparation phase of a construction project lifecycle. Some of these roles include:

  • Excavator contractors
  • Demolition contractors
  • Utilities contractors
  • Civil estimators
  • Construction Project Managers
  • General Contractors
  • Operations manager
  • Site development contractor
  • Paving contractors
  • Utilities directors
  • Military contractors
  • Field engineers
  • Heavy civil sitework contractors
  • Residential contractors building subdivisions/master-planned communities
  • Roadwork contractors
  • Transportation engineer
  • Earthwork estimators
  • Developer
  • Concrete contractor
  • City planner

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 acquire the skills you need to become an asset on the job site.

Customized Curriculum

In addition to four core courses, you can customize your curriculum by choosing between two unique elective courses — one in documents and law, one in planning and scheduling.

×

In order to earn your Professional Certificate in Construction Estimating, you’ll need to complete four (4) core courses, as well as one (1) of our elective courses. Each course costs $690 and is worth three (3) Professional Development Units (PDUs).

2024 Term Dates

Spring Block I: Jan. 15–March 24, 2024 - Registration opens Monday, November 6
Spring Block II: April 8–June 16, 2024 - Registration opens Monday, November 6
Summer Block: June 24-Sept. 1, 2024
Fall Block: Sept. 16–Nov. 24, 2024

Click the course names below to read the course description. Click the Enroll button below or visit the How to Register tab once you’re ready to register. Click here to view the Construction Courses 2024 Schedule.

Core Courses

Core Courses (complete four) SPII Course Dates Registration SU Course Dates Registration
ENGR 0043 Construction Equipment and Methods Apr 8-Jun 16 Nov 6-Apr 15 June 24-Sept 1 Mar 6-Jul 1
ENGR 0044 Practical Applications of Heavy Civil Construction Apr 8-Jun 16 Nov 6-Apr 15    
ENGR 0045 Estimating Civil Construction     June 24-Sept 1 Mar 6-Jul 1
ENGR 0046 Civil Blueprint Reading and Materials     June 24-Sept 1 Mar 6-Jul 1

Dates and fees subject to change.

Elective Courses

Elective Courses (complete one) SPII Course Dates Registration SU Course Dates Registration
ENGR 0031 Contract Documents and Construction Law     June 24-Sept 1 Mar 6-Jul 1
ENGR 0032 Planning and Scheduling Apr 8-Jun 16 Nov 6-Apr 15 June 24-Sept 1 Mar 6-Jul 1

Dates and fees subject to change.

×

Registration Instructions

Continuing Students

If you have taken a course 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.

Please visit my.sdsu.edu for more information.

New Students

If you have not taken a course 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.

  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. Complete your full payment in my.SDSU after your registration has been submitted. Click here for more information on our payment and drop policy.

Click here for more details on registration

Finished all the required courses?

Click the button below to receive your certificate.

REQUEST YOUR CERTIFICATE

×

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.

Back to Top >

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.

Back to Top >

How is the program structured?

Our construction courses are 100% online. Courses begin four times per year. You must complete all necessary coursework within 5 weeks from your date of enrollment. You’ll have access to course materials for up to 10 weeks from the date of enrollment.

Back to Top >

What is the program format?

Our construction courses feature a mostly asynchronous virtual instruction learning modality. Courses in this modality feature instruction provided through a combination of recorded and limited direct instruction with academic activities, quizzes, etc., at the arranged times and dates described in the footnotes and syllabus unless otherwise noted. Content may be open for restricted periods.

  • Students may be expected to attend any live sessions necessary to complete the course.
  • Final exams or assignments will be listed in the course syllabus and may need to be completed at a set time and date.
  • Faculty and instructors are available for office hours and instructional support when needed.

Mostly Asynchronous courses may be preferable for students in different time zones as they provide the flexibility to work on your schedule at your own pace. However, these courses may require group activities and arranged meetings with faculty.

Back to Top >

Is there financial support available for this program?

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.

Back to Top >

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.

Back to Top >

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.

Back to Top >

Click Here for More FAQs

Related Links

Request Your Certificate
FAQ - Online Construction Certificates
Certificate Programs
Construction Programs
Tour an Online Construction Classroom
Construction Courses 2024 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.

Back to Top >

Want to Learn More?

Submit this web form and we’ll be in touch to answer all your questions and explain the next steps in the process. Or, you can reach a program recruiter by emailing recruiter.global@sdsu.edu or by calling (619) 594-7700.

 Back to Top >

Core Courses

2023 Fall2024 Winter2024 Spring2024 Summer2024 Fall
ENGR 0043 Construction Equipment and Methods

Students will learn skills and methods to help advance their career in civil construction, advance your understanding in how to utilize equipment, identify and understand construction methods used to increase productivity on the job site, increase awareness in how to budget for and utilize equipment efficiently. Students will better understand safety procedures associated with different equipment, learn how to select and budget for the best equipment needed for the job and understand and apply methods used in utilizing construction equipment.

Format: Online

Course Date(s)

ENGR 0045 Estimating Civil Construction

This course features hands-on estimating and quantity take off activities associated with civil and site work construction projects. Topics will include estimate formats, drawings and specifications, productivity, site investigations, soil characteristics, blueprint reading, quantities, measurement and costing. This is a paced, asynchronous online course. The course features a high level of student-to-student and student-to-teacher interaction.

Format: Online

Course Date(s)

ENGR 0046 Civil Sitework Blueprint Reading and Materials
Students will learn to understand and interpret civil construction blueprints and reading specifications. Examine the manufacture, and use of civil construction materials such as aggregates, concrete, asphalt, pipe, and geosynthetics.

Format: Online

Course Date(s)

Register
Instructors
Jim Moreno

Elective Courses

2023 Fall2024 Winter2024 Spring2024 Summer2024 Fall
ENGR 0031 Contract Documents and Construction Law

This online course focuses on understanding the relationship between contract documents and the construction process.

Format: Online

Course Date(s)

Register
Instructors
David Hahn
ENGR 0032 Planning and Scheduling

Students will learn how to plan, prepare, and update construction project schedules in this online course. Through the use of case studies, learn how to define construction activities, determine activity duration, and assemble the activities into a logical construction schedule. Learn to create and use bar charts and critical path schedules.

Format: Online

Course Date(s)

Courses

2023 Fall2024 Winter2024 Spring2024 Summer2024 Fall
ENGR 0044 Practical Applications of Heavy Civil Construction
This online course focuses on understanding heavy civil construction methods, procedures and techniques. This includes civil site preparation and grading, excavation, back fill, compaction, trenching, paving, and dewatering. Discussions on the proper methods of determining earthwork quantities, estimating civil construction costs and safety implications will take place throughout the course.

Format: Online

Course Date(s)