Undergraduate Construction Certificate
- Campus
What Is a Construction Certificate?
A construction certificate focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills to start a career in the construction industry. Students will be able to gain skills in workplace safety, communication, applied mathematics and workplace success.
The program allows for customization in the second semester through a specialized class teaching skills in one of the following fields:
Mechanical and plumbing
Electrician
Civil construction
HVAC
Campus: $200 per credit [More Info]
The University will accept up to ½ (half) of the total program requirements in transfer.
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
- 16+ years old
- High School Graduate
- 3.0+ Unweighted GPA
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
- ACT: 19
- SAT: 1000*
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
Why Take Construction Courses at GCU?
GCU offers construction courses that combine hands-on learning with industry-informed instruction, helping you build practical skills and explore opportunities in the construction field. This certificate integrates a Christian worldview that encourages purpose, ethics and service. With a supportive campus environment, accessible tuition options and a focused timeline, you can progress toward your next career move with confidence.
Learn in a campus environment where you can engage in hands-on training and collaborate with peers while building foundational construction skills.
GCU's competitive tuition makes earning a construction certificate accessible while keeping costs manageable.
This shorter, streamlined program, paired with student support, can help you build skills and explore opportunities faster.
What Will I Study in the Undergraduate Certificate in Construction?
This undergraduate construction certificate provides a well-rounded introduction to the knowledge and skills commonly used across construction trades. You will explore how to communicate effectively in professional settings, apply mathematical concepts to practical scenarios and develop problem-solving approaches that support jobsite success. Coursework also emphasizes collaboration, adaptability and personal development.
Explore key topics covered in this certificate program:
Workplace communication
Develop the written, verbal and visual communication skills used across construction environments
Trade foundations
Gain a broad overview of the core skills and hands-on concepts used across multiple construction trades
Construction math
Study essential math concepts, including algebra and basic trigonometry, and apply them to practical scenarios
Professional skills
Build teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving skills for construction and other career paths
Personal development
Explore leadership, time management and financial literacy to support personal and professional growth
Career specializations
Choose a focus area in which to expand your expertise and prepare for opportunities in a specific trade
Find Your Trade Pathway
At CGU, you have the opportunity to explore a variety of trade pathways and discover where your interests and strengths align. We offer certificates in various skilled trades, helping you take the next step toward a career path that supports your goals.
What Can You Do With a Construction Certificate?
A construction certificate can help you prepare for opportunities across a range of jobsite and field-based environments. As a certificate holder, you may work in residential or commercial construction, infrastructure projects, industrial sites or specialized trade settings, depending on your interests and experience. These roles often involve coordinating teams, overseeing daily operations and supporting project progress.
Roles you can pursue with this certificate include:
First-line supervisor of construction trades and extraction workers
Construction foreman
Construction supervisor
Electrical supervisor
Roustabout field supervisor
Median annual wage for construction and extraction occupations as of May 2024(See disclaimer 1)
Openings projected for construction and extraction occupations, each year, from 2024 to 2034(See disclaimer 2)
Pursue Your Certificate at an Accredited University
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The College of Engineering and Technology shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Construction Certificate FAQs
Find answers to common questions about this construction certificate, including what topics you’ll study, how the program is structured and how it can support your next steps in the construction field.
Is a construction certificate worth it?
What skills do students develop in a construction certificate?
Are undergraduate construction courses hands-on?
Does this certificate in construction support entry into skilled trades?
Do construction courses include applied mathematics?
Can I specialize within an undergraduate construction certificate?
Program Curriculum
Core Courses
Take the next step toward a hands-on career by earning your construction certificate and building skills that can open doors in the trades.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Construction and Extraction Occupations, as of May 2024, retrieved April 2026. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates in construction and extraction occupations, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Construction and Extraction Occupations, retrieved April 2026.