Construction Management, Building Science and Construction Technology, Industrial Technology, Welding Technology, Electrical Technology, HVAC Technology, Plumbing and Pipefitting, and Carpentry. Each major below links to what it includes, the skills you build, career paths, suggested minors and how many colleges report awarding it.
Colleges: active, degree-granting U.S. schools that reported awarding at least one degree or certificate in the field, IPEDS completions, awards conferred July 2023 to June 2024 (C2024_A).
Construction Management
Teaches you to plan, budget, schedule and supervise construction projects. Construction management majors study construction methods and materials, estimating, scheduling, contracts, safety and project management.
Skills: Cost estimating, Scheduling, Site supervision, and Safety management. Pairs well with: Business, Project Management, Occupational Safety.
Building Science and Construction Technology
Studies how buildings are designed, built and maintained to perform well. Building science and construction technology programs cover building systems, materials, energy efficiency, codes and inspection.
Skills: Reading construction drawings, Code compliance, Energy auditing, and Inspection. Pairs well with: Sustainability, Construction Management, Business.
Industrial Technology
Prepares you to manage and improve industrial and manufacturing operations. Industrial technology programs combine technical courses in manufacturing processes, automation, quality and safety with management skills.
Skills: Process improvement, Quality methods, Equipment operation, and Safety compliance. Pairs well with: Business, Occupational Safety, Supply Chain Management.
Welding Technology
Teaches you to join and cut metal using welding processes used in industry. Welding programs teach shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux-cored and gas tungsten arc welding, plus blueprint reading, metallurgy and safety.
Skills: Welding, Reading weld symbols, Metal fabrication, and Inspection. Pairs well with: Business, Occupational Safety.
Electrical Technology
Prepares you to install, maintain and troubleshoot electrical systems. Electrical technology programs teach electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, residential and commercial wiring, motor controls and safety.
Skills: Wiring, Reading electrical plans, Troubleshooting, and Code compliance. Pairs well with: Renewable Energy, Business.
HVAC Technology
Teaches you to install and service heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. HVAC programs cover refrigeration cycles, electrical controls, heating systems, ductwork, building automation and refrigerant handling.
Skills: Troubleshooting, Electrical diagnostics, Refrigerant handling, and Customer service. Pairs well with: Business, Sustainability.
Plumbing and Pipefitting
Prepares you to install and repair water, gas, drainage and industrial piping systems. Plumbing and pipefitting programs teach pipe systems, codes, blueprint reading, fixtures and safety.
Skills: Pipe installation, Reading plans, Troubleshooting, and Code compliance. Pairs well with: Business, Occupational Safety.
Carpentry
Teaches you to frame, finish and build structures from wood and other materials. Carpentry programs cover framing, finish carpentry, cabinetry, blueprint reading, tools and safety.
Skills: Measuring and layout, Power and hand tools, Reading plans, and Problem solving. Pairs well with: Construction Management, Business.
Practical training for construction and skilled trades careers
These Career Education Institute courses connect to the careers above. Each is a short, self-paced online course about one job.
A self-paced online course on what construction and building inspectors do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: building codes (IBC, IRC), plan reading and review, and structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems
Why it fits: Connected to your Construction Management major
A self-paced online course on what building maintenance technicians do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: basic plumbing repair, basic electrical repair, and HVAC maintenance
Why it fits: Connected to your Building Science and Construction Technology major
A self-paced online course on what construction managers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: cost estimating, scheduling (CPM), and contract management
Why it fits: Connected to your Construction Management major
A self-paced online course on what construction foremans do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: trade skills, blueprint reading, and scheduling
Why it fits: Connected to your Construction Management major
A self-paced online course on what HVAC technicians do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: refrigeration cycle diagnostics, electrical troubleshooting, and brazing and refrigerant handling
Why it fits: Connected to your Building Science and Construction Technology major
A self-paced online course on what pipelayers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: pipe laying, grade checking, and pipe joining
Why it fits: Connected to your Welding Technology major
Why consider career training alongside college?
Your college major gives you an academic foundation. Short career training can add practical knowledge of a specific job: what the work involves day to day, its vocabulary, common tasks, tools and safety rules. You do not have to wait until graduation: many students take a short course to test a career before choosing a major, to prepare for an internship or a part-time job, or to show employers they understand the work.
Construction and Skilled Trades majors: frequently asked questions
What are the best construction and skilled trades majors?
The best major depends on the career you want. Common choices include Construction Management, Building Science and Construction Technology, Industrial Technology, Welding Technology, and Electrical Technology. Compare the careers, coursework and skills for each.
How many construction and skilled trades majors are there?
This guide covers 8 majors in construction and skilled trades: Construction Management, Building Science and Construction Technology, Industrial Technology, Welding Technology, Electrical Technology, HVAC Technology, Plumbing and Pipefitting, and Carpentry. Colleges may use different names for similar programs.
What careers can you get with a construction and skilled trades major?
Careers connected to these majors include construction manager, cost estimator, construction and building inspector, building maintenance technician, industrial engineering technician, production supervisor, welder, and welding machine operator. Some require a degree and a license, while others start with a certificate or on-the-job training.
Which construction and skilled trades majors are offered at the most colleges?
Welding Technology (699 colleges), Electrical Technology (653 colleges), HVAC Technology (527 colleges), and Industrial Technology (416 colleges), based on IPEDS completions data.
Which construction and skilled trades programs can you start with a certificate or associate degree?
Construction Management, Building Science and Construction Technology, Industrial Technology, Welding Technology, Electrical Technology, HVAC Technology, Plumbing and Pipefitting, and Carpentry are commonly offered as certificates or associate degrees, as well as at higher levels at some schools.
What skills do construction and skilled trades majors build?
Common skills include cost estimating, scheduling, reading construction drawings, code compliance, process improvement, quality methods, welding, and reading weld symbols.
Can I study construction and skilled trades online?
Many colleges that offer these majors also report offering fully online programs. Use the college search with a major selected and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with each school which programs are online.
Can I start training for a construction and skilled trades career before I finish college?
Yes. Short online career training can help you learn what a specific job involves and build practical knowledge while you study. It does not replace a degree or a required license.