Prerequisite Courses

To be admitted to the Certificate Program in Construction Management, students must be very familiar with the materials and processes involved in the commercial construction industry and be able to read and understand commercial contract plans and specifications. Such familiarity must be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

1. Course work: UW Extension offers two courses that prepare students for the Certificate Program in Construction Management: CM 313/323 Construction Methods and Materials, and CM 320 Construction Contract Documents. These classes are offered several times during the year and take place on campus in Seattle. Schedule and registration information is provided below. Similar courses may be available from other schools near where you live. To determine if alternate courses are acceptable, a course description should be provided to UW Extension.

   If you are demonstrating familiarity w/program content via this method, your application must include either:

   • Documentation of successful completion of above coursework, or
   • Confirmation of registration for the UW courses in summer 2009.

2. Field experience: Individuals must have a minimum of five years of field experience in commercial construction and proficiency in the topics of construction drawing, interpretation of specifications, methods, materials, and the sequence of the construction process.

   If you are demonstrating familiarity w/program content via this method, your application must include either:

   • A detailed description of your relevant experience, or
   • A letter from Emily Gunther approving a prerequisite waiver. See section below on "Pre-req waivers."

If you have questions about prerequisites for this program, please call 206-685-8936 in the greater Seattle area, or 888-469-6499, or e-mail us.

Schedules

Following are the prerequisite courses offered in 2010.

Construction Contract Documents (CM 320)
Introduction to working drawings, specifications, and other documents designed to enable the student to read and interpret complete set of contract documents for residential and light commercial projects. Emphasis on the organization and uses of architectural/engineering drawings and specifications in the construction process.

Winter (CM 320):
Schedule: Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m., Jan. 4-Mar. 12, 2010
3 credits; Instructor: Sara Angus; $768.

Required materials (blueprints - estimated $55) for this course must be purchased from UW Extension.

Registration: To register by telephone, call UW Extension at 206-543-2310 and register for course #100429.

Summer (CM 320):
Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:20-6:50 p.m., June 21-Aug. 20, 2010
3 credits; Instructor Sara Angus; information on fees not yet available.

Registration: Check the UW Summer Quarter for complete information/instructions.

Construction Methods and Materials II/I (CM 323/313)
Analysis of building methods for structural, non-structural, and design and use of temporary structures including method selection, sequencing, and coordination of specialty trades in commercial and industrial construction.

Spring (CM 323):
Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m., Mar. 29-June 4, 2010 (No class meeting on Monday, May 31, 2010).
5 credits; Instructor: Allan Thunder; $1,280

Registration: To register by telephone, call UW Extension at 206-543-2310 and register for #100428.

Summer (CM 313):
Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m., June 21-August 20, 2010
4 credits; Instructor: Allan Thunder; information on fees not yet available.

Registration: Check the UW Summer Quarter for complete information/instructions.

Waivers

Waivers for CM 320 (Construction Contract Documents) and CM 313/323 (Construction Methods and Materials) are possible, but not common (particularly for 313/323).

Individuals who need to know for sure if they qualify for a waiver of one or both prerequisites before they register are encouraged to submit a waiver request as soon as possible. You may do this by sending an e-mail with your resume attached to Emily Gunther egunther@extn.washington.edu. The subject line should read "Waiver Request."

Something to think about if you qualify for a CM 320 and/or CM 323/313 waiver: it is important to note that while students are enrolled in CM 320, they are using the blueprints that are later the basis for project work in the certificate program. Most people find that taking the prerequisite courses gives them a chance to become very familiar with the site before the certificate program begins.

People with degrees in civil engineering or architecture typically receive a waiver. People who specialize in electrical or mechanical work generally are not sufficiently familiar with the structural, civil, and architectural drawings and specifications used extensively in this program. Many people with at least five years of field experience with a general contractor performing commercial construction can qualify for a waiver. By field experience, this is in reference to those whose jobs require that they interpret construction documents, such as contract drawings and specifications.

If you feel confident that your education and experience qualify you for a waiver of one or both of the prerequisite courses, include a note to this effect in the cover letter for your application, and make sure that the justification for this request (that is, relevant education and experience) is clear and obvious in your letter.

Waiver requests submitted with applications will be evaluated at the same time as the application (starting June 1). If you are not sure if you qualify for a waiver, send an e-mail to Emily Gunther for a determination.

Schedule and registration information is now available for prerequisite courses offered in 2009.

Note:You do not need to have completed the summer prerequisite courses before you apply to the certificate program; simply include confirmation of summer course registration in your application. If the rest of your application is acceptable, you will be awarded "conditional acceptance" until the prerequisite courses have been completed.