The Instructional Program

The certificates in carpentry and masonry are two-semester sequences of courses within the A.O.S. degree program in Carpentry and Building Trades that begins in the fall each year. There are two advisement options: one focuses on carpentry, the other on masonry.  A certificate is good for those students who may not be able to attend college for longer than two semesters.

To obtain these certificates, students must first apply to and be accepted into the Carpentry and Building Trades A.O.S. degree program, then notify their academic advisor of their desire to work toward a certificate.

For information on career opportunities in this field, see the Carpentry and Building Trades program description.

Admissions Requirements

Student must meet admissions requirements for and be enrolled in the Carpentry and Building Trades A.O.S. degree program.

CURRICULUM

Technical Standards: In addition to academic requirements, all applicants must also be able to meet the minimum Technical Standards for the program, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Academic Requirements:

Certificate – Carpentry: An advisement track within the Carpentry and Building Trades A.O.S. degree program.

Minimum Total Credit Hours = 32

Major Courses Required - 29 credit hours

General Education/Liberal Arts Courses Required - 3 credit hours

Student Learning Outcomes for the Carpentry Certificate:

• Tool proficiency – Students should be able to correctly identify by name and select the tool that best satisfies a given task, and use the tool in the manner for which it was intended.
• Safety – Students should be able to correctly identify potential dangerous situations on the job site/laboratory as well as identify dangers presented in different scenarios, such as through various types of media or orally. Students should also be able to offer OSHA approved methods of addressing given situations. Students should be able to demonstrate and/or describe correct and safe uses of typical job site equipment such as ladders, scaffolding, power tool, hand tools, and personal protective equipment.
• Floor layout/construction – Given a blueprint, students should be able to identify and accurately lay out the framing members necessary to construct a floor system. Students should also able to physically cut the components and, using a team approach, assemble the floor system. The layout and assembly will have to be completed to specific tolerances as well as within building code requirements.
• Wall layout/construction – Given a blueprint, students should be able to identify the wall type, then accurately lay out the framing members necessary to construct a wall system. Students should also be able to physically cut the components and, using a team approach, assemble the wall system. The layout and construction will have to be completed to specific tolerances as well as within building code requirements.
• Rafter layout/roof construction – Given a blueprint, students should be able to identify roof components, accurately calculate dimensions of various types of rafters, and lay out the rafters. Students should also be able to physically cut the rafters and, using a team approach, assemble the roof structure. The layout and construction will have to be completed to specific tolerances as well as within building code requirements.
• Blueprint interpretation – Students should be able to correctly identify and interpret the necessary information found on blueprints and specification sheets. Interpretation should be thorough and specific to given situations, and proficiency should include the various types of views. Necessary information includes: material type, dimensions, placement, and orientation.
• Roofing application – Students should be able to identify components by name and correctly install various types of sheathing, roofing, flashing, and waterproofing details; this includes correct placement of necessary scaffolding/staging/fall protection to safely complete the job. The installation will have to be completed to specific tolerances as well as within building code requirements.
• Siding application - Students should be able to identify components by name and correctly install various types of sheathing, siding, flashing, and waterproofing details; this includes correct placement of the necessary scaffolding/staging to safely complete the job. The siding installation will have to be completed within specific tolerances.
• Door/window installation – Students should be able to identify door/window components and hardware. Student should also be able to install the door/window, hardware, flashing, and trim within specific tolerances, as well as meet the building code requirements.
• Interior finishes and moldings – Students should be able to identify, select, and install various wall and ceiling finishes, as well as moldings and flooring. Products should be installed to within specific tolerances.
• Stair calculation – Given a blueprint or a scenario, students should be able to calculate and lay out a stair stringer within specific tolerances. Students should also be able to identify, cut, assemble, and install the stair and balustrade components, and do so while meeting building code requirements.
• Estimating proficiency – Given a blueprint and cost sheet, students should be able to estimate various quantities of materials necessary for the completion of a given job or portion of a job. Estimates will have to be performed within specific tolerances.
• Energy – Students should be able to accurately apply the NYS Energy Code to various residential applications and perform heat loss calculations within specific tolerances. Students should also identify and solve problems related to moisture issues and insulation problems, and demonstrate an understanding of residential solar issues.

Certificate – Masonry: An advisement track within the Carpentry and Building Trades A.O.S. degree program. The Masonry Option is available only to those students who have had prior carpentry experience, or who are interested in a single year of masonry-related instruction.

Minimum Total Credit Hours = 31

Major Courses Required - 25 credit hours

 General Education/Liberal Arts Courses Required - 3 credit hours

Restricted Elective by Advisement - 3 credit hours

Student Learning Outcomes for the Masonry Certificate:

• Tool proficiency – Students should be able to correctly identify by name and select the tool that best satisfies a given task, and use the tool in the manner for which it was intended.
• Safety – Students should be able to correctly identify potential dangerous situations on the job site/laboratory as well as identify dangers presented in different scenarios, such as through various types of media or orally. Students should also be able to offer OSHA approved methods of addressing given situations. Students should be able to demonstrate and/or describe correct and safe uses of typical job site equipment such as ladders, scaffolding, power tool, hand tools, and personal protective equipment.
• Blueprint interpretation – Students should be able to correctly identify and interpret the necessary information found on blueprints and specification sheets. Interpretation should be thorough and specific to given situations, and proficiency should include the various types of views. Necessary information includes: material type, dimensions, placement, and orientation.
• Foundation calculation – Given a blueprint or a job site situation, students should be able to determine the exact depth and location to where a footing should be placed in order to build a foundation wall. The top of the wall will need to be located at a specific elevation when completed. Students will be expected to adhere to specific tolerances as well as meet building code requirements.
• Dormer layout – Given a blueprint of an existing building, students should be able to calculate, lay out and/or build different types of dormers to specific tolerances.
• Masonry general – Students should be able to correctly identify various masonry components as well as mixture ratios for making concrete and mortar. Students should also be able to accurately estimate quantities necessary to complete given projects.
• Masonry hand skills – Students should be able to demonstrate a variety of hand skills necessary to build projects involving concrete, mortar, concrete block, and brick. Project work may include many different types of materials and take place on different surfaces. Students should be able to perform the work on the projects within specific tolerances as well as meet building code requirements.
• Foundation design – Given a specific set of conditions, students should be able to design various types of foundations within the parameters of the building code. Students should be able to discuss advantages and disadvantages, perform cost analysis, and discuss quality differences. Students should have a working knowledge of Radon gas issues and strategies to address them.