This one-semester certificate program is designed to prepare candidates for entry-level positions across the construction industry. Designed to make students job-site ready, the program covers job-site safety as well as a hands on introduction to site and foundation work and basic carpentry.

General Certificate Requirements

Additional requirements for graduation can be found on the Degree/Certificate Requirements for Graduation page. 

Unless otherwise noted in individual program requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula is required for graduation. Please see the Academic Policies and Procedures page for information on how your GPA is calculated.

Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a major, minor, or certificate program must be completed with a grade of C- or better unless a higher grade is noted in the program requirements.

Certificate of Technical Studies - Building Construction Basics

Course Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Courses
Complete all of the following courses:
COMX 102	Interpersonal Skills in the Workplace	1
M 105	Contemporary Mathematics (or higher)	3
OSH 130	Introduction to Trades and Trade Safety/Job Site Ready	3
WRIT 101	College Writing I	3
Electives
Complete 6 credits of the following courses:		6
CSTN 120	Carpentry Basics & Rough-In Framing
CSTN 147	Residential Blueprint Reading
CSTN 180	Residential Building Codes and Inspection
CSTN 298	Construction Internship
DDSN 113A	Technical Drafting
DDSN 114	Introduction to CAD
DDSN 166	Revit I
OSH 110	OSHA 10 Hour Safety Training
Total Hours		16

One Semester Plan

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Autumn		Hours
COMX 102	Interpersonal Skills in the Workplace	1
M 105	Contemporary Mathematics	3-4
OSH 130	Introduction to Trades and Trade Safety/Job Site Ready	3
WRIT 101	College Writing I	3-4
Elective		3
Elective		3
	Hours	16-18
	Total Hours	16-18

Last Updated Fall 2026