Division of Business, Engineering, and Technology • Columbia, MD • Campus • $173/Credit (In-County, incl. fees)
Howard Community College (HCC) offers 2 construction management pathways:
- Construction Management A.A.S.
- Construction Management Certificate (also earned through HCC’s Construction Management Apprenticeship)
Program Pathways Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.A.S. | $10.4K in-county / $25K out-of-state | 2 years (4 semesters) | 60 |
| Certificate | $4.1K in-county / $10K out-of-state | 1.5 years (3 semesters) | 24 |
Tuition estimates use HCC’s 2026-27 per-credit tuition plus the consolidated fee.
- Why choose it: HCC’s certificate can be earned through a registered Construction Management Apprenticeship that pairs coursework with 4,000 hours of paid field work over two years, which HCC calls the only program of its kind in Maryland.
- Trade-off: The A.A.S. is built on Precalculus I, physics, surveying, and structural and MEP systems courses, so it is more technical and math-heavy than a business-focused construction degree.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Credentials Offered | A.A.S. (60 credits), certificate (24 credits) |
| Format | Campus; lecture, lab, and jobsite experiences; online availability not clearly stated |
| Campus Location | Columbia |
| Credit Hours | 60 (A.A.S.), 24 (certificate) |
| Internship | No internship course; apprenticeship route includes 4,000 paid field hours |
| Programmatic Accreditation | None listed |
| Software Taught | Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (required) |
| Math | MATH 143 Precalculus I or higher |
| Transfer Pathway | Guaranteed dual admission with Capitol Technology University (2024) |
| Tuition | $144/credit in-county, $281 out-of-county, $388 out-of-state, plus $28.74/credit fee |
Construction Management A.A.S.
The estimated tuition for the A.A.S. at Howard Community College is approximately $10,364 for Howard County residents, $18,584 for other Maryland residents, and $25,004 out-of-state (60 credits at $172.74/credit in-county, including fees).
The program can generally be completed in about 2 years (4 semesters).
The Construction Management A.A.S. prepares students for architectural, engineering, and general contracting jobs such as field engineer, project engineer, superintendent, and project manager. HCC describes the A.A.S. as the better fit for students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree later.
A.A.S. Curriculum
The degree splits evenly between 30 credits of construction and drafting courses and 30 credits of general education and support courses. Math is MATH 143 Precalculus I or higher, and the science requirement adds up to 8 credits of physics or physics and geology.
- Construction management: Introduction to Construction Management, Building Construction Contract Documents, Building Construction Operations and Management, Building Construction Cost Estimating and Control, Building Construction Planning and Scheduling
- Building technology: Building Construction Materials and Methods, Structural Building Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Other Building Systems
- Field and drafting: Construction Surveying, Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting and Design
- Science and math: Precalculus I, Technical Physical Science or Fundamentals of Physics I, and Physical Geology with lab or Fundamentals of Physics II
- Other general education: College Composition, Technical Writing, public speaking or interpersonal communication, art or drawing, Macroeconomics, Business Ethics, and a 1-credit stress management course
Structural systems, MEP systems, surveying, and two science courses give the A.A.S. an engineering-technology base that suits field engineer and project engineer roles. The business side is lighter: there is no accounting or construction law course beyond contract documents. More curriculum details are available here.
You Should Know
- The curriculum includes jobsite experiences within courses, but there is no separate internship or co-op course.
- Precalculus I is the minimum math, so students who place below it may need developmental math first.
- No stand-alone safety course is listed, though HCC names safety among the curriculum’s topic areas.
A.A.S. Internship and Field Experience
- No required internship or co-op course
- Lecture, lab, and jobsite experiences are built into the curriculum
- Students who want paid field experience can apply to the Construction Management Apprenticeship (see Certificate)
Surveying and jobsite visits give practical exposure, but A.A.S. students outside the apprenticeship graduate without documented work hours unless they already work in construction.
A.A.S. Admissions
HCC is open admission, and the A.A.S. has no separate program application.
- Placement into MATH 143 and ENGL 121 is needed to follow the suggested sequence
- HCC students who complete the A.A.S. can sign a Dual Admission Contract for guaranteed admission to a Capitol Technology University bachelor’s program
Construction Management Certificate
The estimated tuition for the certificate at Howard Community College is approximately $4,146 for Howard County residents, $7,434 for other Maryland residents, and $10,002 out-of-state (24 credits at $172.74/credit in-county, including fees).
The program can generally be completed in about 1.5 years (3 semesters).
The Construction Management Certificate serves students entering the field or improving a current position, and all of its credits count toward the A.A.S.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate has six required courses and two electives, all in construction, drafting, or business ethics.
- Required: Introduction to Construction Management, Building Construction Materials and Methods, Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting and Design, Building Construction Contract Documents, Structural Building Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Other Building Systems
- Electives (choose two): Business Ethics, Construction Surveying, Building Construction Operations and Management, Building Construction Cost Estimating and Control, Building Construction Planning and Scheduling
Because estimating and scheduling are electives, a certificate student could finish without either. Students aiming for project or estimating roles should choose those two. More curriculum details are available here.
You Should Know
- The certificate has no math or general education requirement.
- Certificate graduates need 36 more credits, including precalculus and science, to finish the A.A.S.
Certificate Internship and Field Experience
The certificate can also be earned through HCC’s Construction Management Apprenticeship, a registered apprenticeship program.
- Courses and lab work combined with 4,000 hours of paid field work over two years
- Field work covers architectural and engineering roles, general contracting logistics, safety, planning, surveying, blueprint reading, and material testing
- Wages, employer partners, schedule, and tuition coverage: not clearly stated
The apprenticeship gives graduates two years of paid jobsite experience alongside the credential, which matters for entry-level project and field roles. Openings are limited, and applicants are contacted as spots become available.
Certificate Admissions
The standard certificate is open admission. The apprenticeship route has its own requirements.
- Age 18 or older by the start date, with a high school diploma or equivalent (dual-enrolled seniors may apply)
- Eligible to enroll in MATH 143 Precalculus and ENGL 121 College Composition
- Driver’s license with a clean driving record
- Program screening and an employer interview
Tuition
HCC’s 2026-27 tuition is $144 per credit for Howard County residents, $281 for other Maryland residents, and $388 for out-of-state students. All students pay a consolidated fee of 19.96% of the in-county rate, or $28.74 per credit, and both tuition and the fee stop at 15 credits per semester.
| Program | Howard County | Other Maryland | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.A.S. (60 credits) | $10,364 | $18,584 | $25,004 |
| Certificate (24 credits) | $4,146 | $7,434 | $10,002 |
Rates come from HCC’s tuition and fees page.
Be aware that:
- Course-related fees, including lab fees, are charged separately.
- Students taking more than 15 credits in a semester pay no extra tuition or consolidated fee for those credits.
- Apprenticeship tuition coverage is not stated; ask whether the employer pays.
- Books and supplies are not included above.
The 15-credit cap lowers the A.A.S. cost for students who take heavier loads. Out-of-county Maryland residents pay nearly twice the Howard County rate.
Why Choose This Construction Management Program?
Best suited for Howard County students who want a technical construction management start with a path to paid field work or a bachelor’s degree.
For students who want to earn while learning: The apprenticeship combines the certificate with 4,000 paid field hours and an employer screening up front.
For future bachelor’s students: Precalculus, physics, surveying, and building systems courses give a math and science base for transfer, and the Capitol Tech dual admission agreement covers construction management.
The honest trade-off: The math and science load is heavier than in a business-oriented program, and the non-apprentice A.A.S. has no internship course.
Accreditation and Credentials
Howard Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which supports federal financial aid eligibility and credit transfer.
Neither construction program holds programmatic accreditation, which is typical at the two-year level. HCC advises A.A.S. students to check transfer requirements at their intended bachelor’s school.
The apprenticeship is listed as a registered apprenticeship program, which documents paid work hours alongside the certificate. HCC does not name an embedded industry certification or tie the programs to Maryland contractor or home improvement licensing.