Ivy Tech School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Applied Science
Building Construction Technology
Skills & Technology to Excel in Building Trades
What You'll Learn
The Building Construction Technology program at Ivy Tech emphasizes hands-on and service-learning experiences, including courses that prepare students for national certification. Students build full-size mock-ups of houses in our construction laboratory. The program teaches skills such as:
Reading and interpreting construction documents, drawings, specifications and codes
Creating estimates and plans for construction projects
Directing, consulting with and advising purchasers, workers and other construction professionals
Using trade skills and tools in project layout, installation and assembly
Understanding and adhering to codes and safety guidelines
Career Options
Graduates of Ivy Tech's Building Construction Technology program can seek jobs in a variety of trades in the construction industry. Working for contracting companies, supply centers or their own construction businesses, their jobs include:
Construction laborers and helpers
Electricians
Specialty trade contractors
Degree Types Offered
Credential Type
Associate Degree – Career-Ready Degree
Long-Term Certificates
– known as Technical Certificates (TC)
Short-Term Certificates
– known as Certificates (CT)
You want a solid foundation for a wide variety of careers within the construction industry.
You have a passion for residential, commercial, or industrial electrical work and want to get a head start toward becoming a journeyman electrician.
You have a specific interest in residential or commercial general construction such as concrete, framing, interior/exterior finishes, and light electrical.
You have general construction experience but want to up your management skills to start your own business or fill a professional role within an established construction company.
You have a specific interest in residential or commercial general construction such as concrete, framing, interior/exterior finishes, and light electrical.
You have general construction experience but want to up your management skills to start your own business or fill a professional role within an established construction company.
You have a passion for residential, commercial, or industrial electrical work and want to get a head start toward becoming a journeyman electrician.
You enjoy working with your hands, solving problems, and ensuring that buildings and properties operate smoothly
You have a knack for fixing things, are detail-oriented, and thrive in a dynamic environment, a career in building and Property maintenance could be perfect for you
You appreciate stability and find fulfillment in playing a vital role in maintaining the functionality and safety of various buildings and properties
You enjoy hands-on work, thrive in dynamic outdoor environments, operating heavy machinery, and have an interest in building and maintaining infrastructure projects.
You need your International Code Council (ICC) General Contractor Credential, otherwise known as the National Standard Building Contractor. This is a requirement to obtain a contractor license in some counties.
You need your 10-hour OSHA card, a requirement for some employers.
You have a specific interest in residential or commercial general construction such as concrete, framing, interior/exterior finishes, and light electrical.
You have general construction experience but want to up your management skills to start your own business or fill a professional role within an established construction company.
You have a specific interest in residential or commercial general construction such as concrete, framing, interior/exterior finishes, and light electrical.
You have general construction experience but want to up your management skills to start your own business or fill a professional role within an established construction company.
You enjoy working with your hands, solving problems, and ensuring that buildings and properties operate smoothly
You have a knack for fixing things, are detail-oriented, and thrive in a dynamic environment, a career in building and Property maintenance could be perfect for you
You appreciate stability and find fulfillment in playing a vital role in maintaining the functionality and safety of various buildings and properties
You enjoy hands-on work, thrive in dynamic outdoor environments, operating heavy machinery, and have an interest in building and maintaining infrastructure projects.
You need your International Code Council (ICC) General Contractor Credential, otherwise known as the National Standard Building Contractor. This is a requirement to obtain a contractor license in some counties.
Note: Program availability varies by location and not all program tracks are offered at each campus/location.
Industry Partners
To help ensure that students gain the skills and knowledge that employers need, the Ivy Tech Building Construction Technology program partners with local businesses. These partners include contractors that specialize in:
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
General construction
Electrical work
NCCER Certifications
All courses in the Ivy Tech Building Construction Technology program incorporate National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certifications. NCCER certifications available through the program include:
Intro Carpentry
Carpentry Forms 1
Carpentry Forms 2
Carpentry Framing and Finish
Intro Electrical
Electrical 1
Electrical 2
Intermediate Electrical 1
Associate Degree – Career-Ready Degree
Ivy Tech's Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Building Construction Technology degree program teaches students how to follow procedures and plan and complete work on construction projects. The program features hands-on learning, with students building full-size mock-ups of houses in Ivy Tech's construction laboratory. Students also can participate in service-learning construction programs, and each course prepares students for national certification.
In addition to general education core subjects ranging from English composition to introductory physics, students focus on gaining knowledge and skills in:
Construction technology
Carpentry
Electrical work
Students also work to strengthen the following competencies:
Working as part of a technical team
Identifying, analyzing and solving technical problems
Communicating in technical and nontechnical environments
Engaging in professional development
Upholding professional and ethical responsibilities
The AAS in Building Construction Technology at Ivy Tech requires 60 credit hours, or five semesters, to complete.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your AAS
Students working toward an AAS in Building Construction Technology can complete one of the certificates (CT) in the program on the way to getting their degree. The CTs are designed to provide gateways toward entry-level building construction technology careers existing in the local industry.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
If your goal is to earn an associate degree in Building Construction Technology, you can earn this technical certificate on your way. The certificate is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level building construction technology careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate if your plan includes working while in school.
Required Courses
Graduates of the Electrical Specialist TC must complete a total of 32 credit hours:
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
If your goal is to earn an associate degree in Building Construction Technology, you can earn this technical certificate on your way. The certificate is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level building construction technology careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate if your plan includes working while in school.
Required Courses
Graduates of the Carpentry Specialist TC must complete a total of 32 credit hours:
Ivy Tech's Building Construction Management Specialist Technical Certificate (TC) teaches students how to estimate and plan for the administration of construction projects. The program focuses on directing, consulting with and advising the following parties in completing projects:
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
If your goal is to earn an associate degree in Building Construction Technology, you can earn this technical certificate on your way. The certificate is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level building construction technology careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate if your plan includes working while in school.
Required Courses
Graduates of the Building Construction Management Specialist TC must complete a total of 32 credit hours:
The Carpentry Specialist CT at Ivy Tech requires 19 credit hours, or two semesters, to complete.
Building on Your Certificate
If your goal is to earn an associate degree in Building Construction Technology, you can earn this CT on your way. The CT is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level building construction technology careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate, if your plan includes working while you’re in school.
FREE through Next Level Jobs
Carpentry Specialist is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible for a free Carpentry Specialist CT. You are eligible to be a part of Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
Are an Indiana resident
Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelors, masters, etc.)*
*Note: Students who are admitted to the Next Level Jobs program to pursue the Carpentry Specialist short-term certificate are required to pay for and submit to a criminal background check, drug testing, and physical exam.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 19 program specific credit hours
Ivy Tech's Building Construction Management Specialist Certificate (CT) teaches students how to estimate and plan for the administration of construction projects. The program focuses on directing, consulting with and advising the following parties in completing projects:
The Building Construction Management CT at Ivy Tech requires 22 credit hours, or two semesters, to complete.
Building on Your Certificate
If your goal is to earn an associate degree in Building Construction Technology, you can earn this CT on your way. The CT is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level building construction technology careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate, if your plan includes working while you’re in school.
FREE through Next Level Jobs
Building Construction Management Specialist is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible for a free Construction Management Specialist CT. You are eligible to be a part of Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
Are an Indiana resident
Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelors, masters, etc.)*
*Note: Students who are admitted to the Next Level Jobs program to pursue the Building Construction Management Specialist CT are required to pay for and submit to a criminal background check, drug testing, and physical exam.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 22 credit hours
The Electrical Specialist CT at Ivy Tech requires 19 credit hours, or two semesters, to complete.
Building on Your Certificate
If your goal is to earn an associate degree in Building Construction Technology, you can earn this CT on your way. The CT is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level building construction technology careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate, if your plan includes working while you’re in school.
Work Toward NEC Certification
The Ivy Tech Electrical Specialist CT program prepares students to pursue National Electrical Code (NEC) certification.
FREE through Next Level Jobs
Electrical Specialist is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible for a free Electrical Specialist CT. You are eligible to be a part of Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
Are an Indiana resident
Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelors, masters, etc.)*
*Note: Students who are admitted to the Next Level Jobs program to pursue the Electrical Specialist CTare required to pay for and submit to a criminal background check, drug testing, and physical exam.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 19 credit hours
Building and Property Maintenance Technicians are responsible for maintaining and repairing various systems within a building, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and equipment. Additionally, they perform tasks such as painting, roof repairs, locksmithing, and drywall installations. This career field encompasses a wide range of buildings and properties, such as office complexes, apartment buildings, industrial parks, retail outlets, schools, hospitals, and hotels. Building and Property Maintenance Technicians support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing equipment and systems in both commercial and residential buildings. Emphasizing safe work practices, employability skills, and safety, they conduct general and preventive maintenance to ensure the smooth functioning of these facilities.
The Civil Construction and Heavy Highway Equipment program provides instruction in essential skills such as safety, site work, heavy equipment operations, paving, earthmoving, hand tools, and traffic regulations to ready learners for the workplace. It also involves operating heavy machinery necessary for constructing and maintaining highways, roads, bridges, and infrastructure projects. Civil construction and heavy highway equipment operators typically manage equipment like bulldozers, excavators, graders, loaders, and dump trucks. Responsibilities may involve operating equipment to transport earth, materials, or equipment, conducting routine maintenance and repairs, adhering to safety protocols, and collaborating with construction team members. This career path offers hands-on experience, skill development in equipment operation, and involvement in enhancing transportation networks. Key safety skills are integrated throughout the program to ensure learners are prepared for real-world applications.
Ivy Tech's International Code Council (ICC) General Contractor Workforce Certification provides students with expertise at navigating, interpreting, and applying the International Building Code.
This certification can benefit anyone working in the construction field, as it provides students with knowledge of the building code that governs how companies build in the industry and what materials/methods are used. In fact, this certificate is so valuable that it's required in some counties for those seeking to obtain a contractor license.
The International Code Council (ICC) General Contractor Workforce Certification can be obtained by students pursuing one of our associate degrees, but students can also enroll for a single class if they are just needing the certification. You can achieve the certification by taking a three-credit course called BCOM210 Codes and Specifications over one semester, or about 5 months.
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Ivy Tech's OSHA 10-Hour Workforce Certification provides students with 10 hours of training over OSHAs requirements for construction.
This certification can benefit anyone working on a construction site, as it covers practices for general construction job site safety. It is even a requirement for many employers, so achieving this certification is a good step if you're wanting to start in the industry.
The OSHA 10-Hour Workforce Certification can be obtained by students pursuing one of our associate degrees, but students can also enroll for a single class if they are just needing the certification. You can achieve the certification by taking a three-credit course called BCTI100 over one semester, or about 5 months.
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Program Details
Building Construction Technology is offered at 13 Ivy Tech locations in Indiana. Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options:
Campus
International Code Council (ICC) General Contractor WFC
OSHA 10-Hour WFC
Carpentry Specialist CT
Building Construction Management Specialist CT
Electrical Specialist CT
Building and Property Maintenance Technician CT
Civil Construction and Heavy Highway Equipment CT
Electrical Specialist (TC) TC
Carpentry Specialist (TC) TC
Building Construction Management Specialist (TC) TC
Ivy Tech's Building Construction Technology program students develop skills that allow them to successfully planning for and completing work on construction projects. Building construction technology requires traits such as:
Teamwork
Communication
Commitment to lifelong learning
Professionalism
Attention to quality
Sound Like You?
If you identify with the traits and program details above, building construction management may be the path for you! Take the next step to get started or speak with your local advisor to learn more.
Prerequisite Courses for Building Construction Technology
Students must complete general education core courses as part of the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Building Construction Technology program, but no prerequisites are required before entering the program.
No Expiration of Credits
There is no expiration date for course credits that were earned in previous years from Ivy Tech Community College.
Transfer Credit for Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite courses completed at colleges other than Ivy Tech will only be considered for general education selection points if transfer credit has been awarded and courses appear on the Ivy Tech transcript prior to the application deadline.
TR grades are not recognized by the online application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that transfer credit has been awarded and that TR grades are updated to transfer letter grades (TA, TB, TC) on their Ivy Tech transcript.
It is recommended that college transcripts be submitted to the Registrar’s office for evaluation and transfer credit at least 4 weeks prior to the program application deadline to ensure adequate time for processing.
Building Construction Technology Courses
Descriptions of building construction technology courses can be found in our online course catalog. View required classes and course descriptions for:
See when specific classes will be offered by searching our class list in Schedule Builder. First, select the semester you’re looking for and then enter the name of the class in the search bar.
If you’re a current student, upcoming classes are easy to find in Schedule Builder in MyIvy.
Class Formats
Ivy Tech Building Construction Technology courses are taught in traditional, in-person format given the hands on topics covered.
Applying to Ivy Tech is Free & Easy
The Ivy Tech application is free and easy—you don’t need a certain test score, GPA, or class rank to get started at Ivy Tech. Applying takes about 10-15 minutes and can be completed entirely online.
No Application Deadlines
Ivy Tech does not have a deadline for admission. Our 8-week class sessions start throughout the year—in January, March, June, August, and October—and there is no hard deadline for applying for any of the start dates. It's important, though, to apply early enough that you'll be able to complete all the degree planning, financial aid, and registration activities that need to happen before your first day. We recommend you apply about one month before you intend to start classes. See upcoming start dates
Steps to Apply
(1) Apply to Ivy Tech
If you’ve never applied to Ivy Tech Community College before (or if it’s been two years since you last attended classes here), your first step is to apply to Ivy Tech. You can apply online or in person. To apply in person, reach out toyour local admissions team and arrange a meeting. Or, stop by any campus on any Tuesday for Tuesdays@TheTech to receive personal assistance with applying and registering for classes.
After you submit your application, you'll be asked to upload documentation—such as SAT/ACT/PSAT scores or high school and college transcripts—that can assess your readiness for college-level coursework and help us make sure you are taking classes that are the right fit for you. How to upload assessment documents
If you don't have your scores or transcripts at your fingertips, don’t worry. Go ahead and submit your application. You can go back to upload assessment documents at any time until the end of the term for which you applied.
(3) Look for a Confirmation Email
Once your application is processed, you will receive a confirmation email at the email address provided on your application. Typically the email will arrive within 1-2 business days of submission, but during peak processing periods (April-June) could take up to 5-10 business days.
The email will contain instructions on how to register for classes, as well as important information regarding your Ivy Tech student portal (MyIvy account), tuition, payment options, and more.
(4) Create an Account in MyIvy
MyIvy is Ivy Tech's online student portal. Students use MyIvy to check e-mail, register for classes, pay tuition, manage financial aid, get the latest news and announcements, and much more. MyIvy also contains "QuickLinks" to the Ivy Tech websites and online tools you will use most often. Learn more about MyIvy
Before you can register for classes you will need to submit documentation or complete an assessment test. Your test scores can help us determine the best English and math starting classes for you. See the Test Score Course Placement Chart
If you submitted assessment documentation during the application process, your advisor will likely be able to work with those documents to determine course placement and you won't need to take any further steps. If you don't have any of those documents or the scores don't meet minimum thresholds, don’t worry! Your advisor will direct you to complete our freeKnowledge Assessment to help develop your customized learning path to better prepare you for courses.
(6) Register for Classes
Once you have completed the steps above, you may register for classes. Ivy Tech students register for courses using the Schedule Builder tool which can be accessed withinMyIvy. If you are a new, first-time Ivy Tech student, we recommend that you meet withyour advisor who will help you develop your Academic Completion Plan and help you sign up for courses that are the best fit for you.
For a complete list of registration steps, including detailed registration steps, deadlines, and information about holds, withdrawals, waitlists, and refunds, visit our Registration 101 page.
(7) Pay Your Tuition
After registering for your courses, your bill can be viewed in yourMyIvy account > Student Dashboard- > View/Pay Balance. Payments can also be made in your MyIvy account. For complete information about payments, including payment options, payment plans, how to make immediate payments, due dates, information about refunds, and more, visit our Payments page.
If you’re not yet an Ivy Tech student, contact us at 1-888-489-5463 and we’ll be happy to help.
Current Students
Contact your academic advisor, who can answer any questions you have about the Building Construction Technology program and your certificate and degree options.
Find Local Advising Contact Info
Don't see a nearby Advising location?
Call 1-888-489-5463 and we'll get you started.
Madison Advising Center
590 Ivy Tech Drive
Madison, IN 47250
Fax 812-265-4028
Zoom Video Calls Available by appointment only. Call 812-256-2580, ext. 4502 to make an appointment.
Advising Team Tricia Miracle 812-265-2580 ext. 4137 tmiracle2@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 812-510-3844 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Wednesdays 9:00-1:00pm & Thursdays 2:00-5:30pm Zoom Link
Lisa Kelley 812-265-2580 ext. 4163 lkelley3@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 502-414-1597 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Tuesdays 1:30pm-5pm & Thursdays 8:30am-12pm Zoom Link
Starting Oct. 28th Tuesdays: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other days by appointment from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. **Special Saturday December 7 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1 Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage estimates: Indiana.(2023). Lightcast™, lightcast.io. Occupational Overview for Indiana, 2023-2024
2 Associate degree cost is determined by tuition for an in-state, full-time student. Certificate and technical certificate costs are determined by tuition for an in-state, part-time student. Additional fees may be applied. Visit the Tuition & Fees page to learn more.
