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School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Architectural and Engineering Technology, Building Construction Management

  • Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Program Snapshot

Your Learning Options
In-person, Hybrid, Online

65 Credit Hours

Estimated Time to Complete
2 years (5 full-time semesters)

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour
$176.00 | Calculate your costs

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Why Building Construction Management?

Discover your gateway to a dynamic and fulfilling professional journey, building a successful career in one of the fastest-growing sectors.

  • Benefit from a specialized curriculum including courses in drafting, materials and methods, sustainable construction, estimating, and scheduling.
  • Study in a course providing the only locally available AAS degree of its kind that prepares you for both office and field positions with a sustainable wage.
  • Learn from industry-experienced professors, ensuring that your education is not just theoretical but grounded in practical knowledge.
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An adult learner at the Parham Road Campus participates in a CAD class.
An adult learner at the Parham Road Campus participates in a CAD class.

Paying for College

We are committed to using all of the available funds to help you gain access to a college education. In fact, more than 91% of our students graduate without any educational debt. In 2023, Reynolds Community College students received over $21 million dollars in grants, loans, work-study and scholarships with the average aid awarded totaling over $4,000 per student.

Payment plans are offered to break down tuition payments. Textbook Assistance and Laptop Lending Programs are also available. Be sure to explore all the types of financial aid available as well!

a woman sitting in a library smiles at her laptop. The laptop has dollar signs flying out of the screen.

Why Reynolds?

We are more than a community college.

Reynolds is the key that unlocks the door to your academic and professional success. Here you will find a safe place to start. We will help you explore, dream, succeed, try, and try again. Our amazing faculty and highly personalized advisors, your Reynolds Navigators, are well known for guiding you to discover that "aha moment.” That means an outstanding college experience, less debt, more freedom, and a solid start on your future.

Construction site of the The Kitchens at Reynolds
Community Impact

Gain a competitive edge by becoming a Certified AutoCAD User. Additionally, join The American Society of Professional Estimators local Chapter (#82) to work towards your AET (Associate Estimating Professional) certification and eventually your CPE (Certified Professional Estimator).

Mentorship and Guidance

Share your dreams with us and let our experienced Department Chair and industry-seasoned instructors mentor and guide you to achieve your personal objectives. Benefit from their expertise and insights into the construction field.

Students learning in an Architectural Engineering class at Reynolds.
Students visit the constructions site of The Kitchens at Reynolds.
Purpose and Occupational Objectives

Learn in a program designed to develop qualified technicians who play a crucial role in the design, construction, and operation of engineering projects. Graduates can pursue diverse roles, from architectural draftspersons to construction project managers, in various sectors of the industry.

The only secret is to keep going… If you fall 100 times then you get up 101 times.

Keya Wingfield

2009 Graduate, Food Network Baking Champion

Keya Wingfield

From Reynolds to a Career in Building Construction Management

With an anticipated 15% annual growth in construction employment for the next six years, our program opens doors to a multitude of opportunities. Our community partners actively seek our graduates to meet the rising demand in the market.

Class Highlights

DRF 231 - Computer-Aided Drafting I

Learn computer-aided drafting concepts and equipment designed to develop a general understanding of components and operating a typical CAD system.

ARC 131 - Materials and Methods of Construction I

Explore the use of wood as a building material in all phases of construction. Study basic wood properties and applications of lumber and plywood.

BLD 247 - Construction Planning and Scheduling

Examine the principles of planning and scheduling a construction project including sequence of events and processes on a construction site.

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Program Roadmap

Get all the details on our Architectural and Engineering Technology — Building Construction Management program, including class sequences, admission requirements, financial considerations, and more.

Additional Program Information

PURPOSE: The Architectural and Engineering Technology degree is designed to develop qualified technicians for the field of engineering. The technician serves as an important link between the engineering professional and the skilled tradesperson in the design, construction, and operation of engineering projects.

OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: TThis program will provide graduates with the skills and specialized knowledge for employment as highly trained architectural drafters; managers for the construction industry; technicians for construction projects such as highway, bridge, dam, commercial and residential construction; and other related occupations in a highly active industry. Employment opportunities are numerous from the planning stage through project completion and inspection in the following areas: the construction industry in private enterprise, government-related business, consulting, and other engineering-related activities.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • To bid on a project or to plan a project (during construction) companies must estimate the quantities involved to 1) price what they cost and 2) provide the workers on the job the proper quantity of materials required to complete the work. Students should be able to do this type of quantity estimating accurately. Developing an accurate estimate takes a little more knowledge than is possible to predict at this level. That is where work experience comes in.

  • In order to make drawings and connect components in a design, one must understand the forces being applied so that proper reinforcement and alignment can occur.

  • This objective matches our expectations for the end of program capabilities for students. This involves both 2D drafting techniques and the advanced 3D techniques. The industry is moving toward being able to perform collision avoidance analysis in the execution of projects. While we are not teaching the specifics of how to perform collision avoidance (more suitable for on the job learning), student understanding and ability to develop a 3-dimensional model a design is critical to their capabilities that will be expected in performing their jobs upon degree completion.

  • While students will not be required to develop designs for these systems, they will have to work with engineers who design them and they need to understand the types of systems available. They will need to allow enough space in the buildings to accommodate the selected system and how to maintain its integrity.

  • These are the major structural materials used in residential and commercial construction. They do not necessarily apply to Building Finishes (but can in some instances). It is important for students to understand that dissimilar materials can, not be joined together without proper preparation and protections of the adjoining members. Understanding these interrelationships creates student confidence that their drawings are suitable for field operations.

  • Estimating is a key function of a construction business. If projects are not bid properly there are two consequences. 1) The company will not win any bids and not be able to keep their workforce employed or 2) The company that wins a low bid may not have accounted for all project costs and therefore will lose money on the project causing the organization undue financial pressure. A proper estimate involves knowing all project requirements and specifications as well as the anticipated duration and potential weather impacts.

  • First students will learn the tools of Computer-Aided Drafting software . Then we will introduce the science of Building Technology over several courses which teaches them the interrelationships of how building components go together, The terminology will be new: Floor and Ceiling Joists, Headers, Steel Joists for Roofs, Columns, Footings, Caissons, and Piles . They will not be able to draw them unless they understand them . Also important is developing their understanding of drafting conventions such as what should be visible in a plan, sections and details. While in previous outcomes students learn the interrelationships of Building Components, this outcome assures us that students can relay those relationships properly on a set of working drawings that communicate construction information appropriately.

  • While in previous outcomes students learn the interrelationships of Building Components, this outcome assures us that students can relay those relationships properly on a set of working drawings that communicate construction information appropriately.

  • While in previous outcomes students learn the interrelationships of Building Components, this outcome assures us that students can relay those relationships properly on a set of working drawings that communicate construction information appropriately. We introduce Commercial Construction but the primary focus is Residential Structures.

  • Understand the use of Residential Building codes, their influence on design (Outcome #3), how to read and interpret the codes adopted by the State of Virginia which are written by the international code council. Code requirements are the minimum standards that a structure must meet and any student designs must address these requirements.

  • These are the major structural materials used in Residential and Commercial Construction. They do not necessarily apply to Building Finishes (but can in some instances). It is important for students to understand that dissimilar materials cannot be joined together without proper preparation and protections of the adjoining members. Understanding these interrelationships creates student confidence that their drawings are suitable for field operations.

  • First students will learn the tools of Computer-Aided Drafting software. Then we will introduce the science of Building Technology over several courses which teaches them the interrelationships of how building components go together. The terminology will be new: Floor and Ceiling Joists, Headers, Steel Joists for Roofs, Columns, Footings, Caissons, and Piles. They will not be able to draw them unless they understand them. Also important is developing their understanding of drafting conventions such as what should be visible in a plan, sections and details.

  • Construction operations are inherently risky.  Students must be aware of the concerns when bidding, contracting and executing projects. They must be good communicators and stay on top of project details. They also must understand RFI’s, change orders, plus the importance of time and safety management.

  • While students will not be required to develop designs for these systems they will have to work with engineers who design them and they need to understand the types of systems available. They will need to allow enough space in the buildings to accommodate the selected system and how to maintain its integrity.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission.

PROGRAM NOTES: In addition to general college admission, applicants shall have (1) completed placement testing and (2) met with their advisor to establish a planned course of study prior to being allowed to register for courses. Satisfactory completion of the following high school units or their equivalent, at a minimum, is strongly recommended: four units of English, one unit of laboratory science (preferably physical science), one unit of social studies, and two units of mathematics (one unit of algebra and one unit of geometry).

COMPUTER COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT: Students in this program will meet the Reynolds computer competency requirement by successfully completing ITE 152. Students can also meet this requirement by passing the Reynolds computer competency exam, administered in the testing centers on each campus, in which case they will receive college credit for ITE 152. Students not passing the computer competency exam may retake the exam only once.

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