What you learn in class today, you will be using tomorrow!

MBA offers online construction courses for those new to the field or seasoned professionals seeking to improve their project management skills. In partnership with Construction Experts Inc., these fully online classes are taught by industry experts. Courses can be taken at your own pace or through 10-week guided sessions offered four times a year. Our platform caters to construction professionals from various backgrounds, making it easy to learn about planning and scheduling to achieve their career goals. Our online construction courses are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. They are designed to work with your busy schedule. Advancing your career and making a plan for your professional development or the development of your crew.

Seminar Series (Our introductory seminars include Introduction to Construction, a primer for anyone getting started in the industry or looking to understand the industry and its key players better)
 

Introduction to Construction - The Introduction to Construction Course is a Foundational Starting Point for All of Our Construction Students. Introduction to Construction is a self-paced four module Introduction to Construction course is an introduction to the construction industry, its parties, and processes. Students will become familiar with the different types of construction, the diverse roles, stages, and processes of a construction project. Students will develop an awareness of safety regulations, safety inspection, construction documents and their uses. Additionally, students will develop a working understanding of construction project management topics including estimating, project management, scheduling, close out and pay out.

Introduction to Concrete - Learn the basics of working with concrete in this self-paced seminar. Develop a deeper understanding of the most commonly used construction material. Introduction to Concrete is a self-paced seminar is one of the building construction classes offered four times a year. The Introduction to Concrete course consists of six modules. This course provides an introduction to both Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) and Asphaltic Concrete. PCC, hereinafter called concrete, is arguably the world’s most used construction material. This is one of many building construction classes that help students become familiar with the materials and properties of each type of concrete along the manipulators used, including formwork, additives, and reinforcement. Students will develop an awareness of installation techniques for horizontal and vertical concrete. Also, they will review the uses for tilt-up and precast concrete which will provide the foundation to advance and continue their industry education in our other building construction classes. Students will develop a working understanding of weather’s impact on concrete and the uses of asphaltic concrete. Students can expect this seminar to provide an introduction to concrete and an opportunity to deepen their industry knowledge of a material used all over the world in diverse conditions.

Self-Paced Classes (Flexibility for Busy Schedules)
 

Introduction to Construction Estimating 
101 Introduction to Construction Estimating is a self-paced class that is designed to be the gateway to more complex and trade specific estimating courses. This online class is designed to help estimators polish their estimating expertise and learn the basic skills that are absolutely required to produce successful construction estimates. 101 Introduction to Construction Estimating is part of the Certificate in Construction Estimating and Certificate in Construction Practices.

Essential Construction Math  
102 Essential Construction Math is one of several construction basics online courses, which is intended to develop mathematical skills that can be applied to the construction trade through practice and application. This course is an introduction to other courses in construction. While this class is not a prerequisite for any other classes, it does provide a foundation for them. The construction math lessons in this course are based on real-world application.

Construction Blueprint Reading
103 Construction Blueprint Reading – All construction professionals, regardless of whether they are working in the field or in the office, must learn to read blueprints. Blueprint reading is not terribly difficult but it does require practice and some basic knowledge of blueprints.This online blueprint reading course is designed to provide you with foundational knowledge and hands-on practice so you can confidently discuss plans on the job. Mastery of blueprint reading will come with practice. Once you learn to read blueprints, your career opportunities expand and you are more in demand. 
As you learn to read blueprints it is important that you keep up with the weekly class content. New course modules will be available on Sunday of each week. Class work must be completed by the following Sunday. Students will not be able to work ahead of the class although you can get started on the upcoming reading assignments by clicking on the Critical Course Information under General Course Information inside the classroom.
By the end of the 103 Construction Blueprint Reading course you will:

  • Have an elementary knowledge of blueprint reading as it relates to building construction projects
  • Understand in general terms the design process and the role of design professionals
  • Be able to find trade information using blueprints
  • Be able to answer basic construction questions related to the layout and installation of materials at the jobsite
  • Be able to identify elementary problems or shortcomings of the blueprints you are using

Estimating and Bidding 1
The 105 Estimating and Bidding online course features hands-on estimating and quantity take off activities associated with General Conditions, Site Work, Concrete and Form work, and Masonry Estimating.  Taking this construction estimator training online is a convenient and flexible way to fit this course into your busy schedule!
By the end of this class you should be able to:

  • Estimate the cost of general conditions
  • Prepare quantity take off of excavation and back-fill
  • Prepare a quantity take off of concrete, and form work
  • Use unit prices to price your estimate
  • Prepare a quantity take off and conceptual estimate of masonry work

Estimating and Bidding 2
In 106 students practice estimating and quantity take off activities associated with Metals, Wood, Doors and Windows, Finishes, Electrical, and Mechanical Estimating. You may take Estimating and Bidding 1 and 2 in any order. This 106 Estimating and Bidding 2 is one of our many estimating classes that features hands-on estimating and quantity take off activities associated with Metals, Wood, Doors and Windows, Finishes, Electrical, and Mechanical Estimating. We will also focus on the preparation of work-place ready estimating documents.
By the end of this online class you should be able to:

  • Estimate the conceptual cost of structural metals
  • Prepare quantity take off  and estimate of rough carpentry
  • Prepare a quantity take off of roofing and waterproofing
  • Use unit prices to price doors and windows
  • Prepare quantity take off and estimate various finishes
  • Prepare a quantity take off and conceptual estimate of mechanical systems
  • Prepare a quantity take off and conceptual estimate of electrical systems

Construction Materials and Processes
In 107 students develop foundational knowledge of construction materials and processes that utilize concrete, brick and CMU, metals, wood products, roofing, and more in this online construction course. Understand and report back on how materials and processes function in green construction. An overall construction system will be covered each week. Expand your studies to include materials and processes which are normally encountered by the student in his/her work place. The 107 Construction Materials and Processes online course is designed to give you an overall understanding of materials and methods to advance your construction career and become part of your knowledge base for construction certificate programs such as our Certificate in Construction Estimating and the Certificate in Construction Practices. Every week in this building construction class, we will study one material category, one specific construction process, and an overall construction system. The student will have the opportunity to expand the studies to include materials and processes the student normally encounters in his/her work place. Students are expected to research and report on the session materials and processes with respect to sustainable or “green” construction.


Guided, 10-Week Courses - (Courses are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week)


Building Green Building: Contractor's Perspective (January & June)
Advance Your Career with Discussion of Green Building Practices in the Construction Project Management Courses Online.
The purpose of this 305 Building Green Buildings online green construction class is to provide construction professionals with information that will help them to effectively bid, contract, build and close out green building projects. Our construction project management courses online and green construction classes offer up to date tools, resources, discussions and active problem solving as we review green building materials, practices, systems and more. We will explore the green building process from the contractor’s and subcontractor’s point of view.

Advancing to Project Management (April & September)
In 308 students learn construction project management strategies, procedures, and systems used by project managers from the beginning of the project to the end. Students will actively take part in discussing the procedures involved in managing a construction project including planning and scheduling, estimating, and more. The purpose of this 308 Construction Project Management is one of many construction management classes online that provide a framework for understanding the project manager’s roles, responsibilities, processes and procedures. Students will learn the stages of the project, dispute resolution, project financing, feasibility, bidding and contracting. Students will learn about cost and risk control as well as developing and applying policies and procedures. Learning and fully taking in this material will prepare students for all of the other project management construction online courses we offer. Other topics will include subcontractor management, purchasing and components of a good purchase order. Project start up and close out techniques will be covered too, as these are essential for construction management classes online. 

Practical Applications of Construction Law (April & September)
Learn how to survey the legal environment to protect yourself as a construction professional. This online construction course will cover methods and strategies to avoid litigation, understand legal liabilities and protections, mitigate disputes and more! The purpose of the 310 Practical Applications of Construction Law online course is to provide a framework for understanding the legal environment in which construction takes place, an essential piece of knowledge in our construction management certificate programs. Students will learn the stages of contracts, how to avoid litigation, methods to protect yourself/ your company in a litigious society, understand the legal liability of construction professionals, avoid disputes using clauses, and be more informed when navigating the legality of the jobsite. Students will learn about the different models of contracts, contract principles, offers, and defenses to the formation of contracts. We will review the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and how it is used in sales contracts. Topics also include the roles and responsibilities of the contractor, architect, and the documents that bind them.  Bonds, liens, and waivers, the legal liability of construction professionals, avoiding disputes through use of clauses, and how to avoid defects are included in this course.

Leadership and Motivation
Enroll in 201 Leadership and Motivation, a Construction Superintendent Training Course, to Discover the Leadership Styles & Strategies it Takes to be a Leader in the Construction Industry! In 201 Unit 1 students recognize their own style of leadership and how to utilize other styles when appropriate. Analyze worker needs and learn how these needs affect motivation.. Determine how to improve job performance and positively influence attitudes and abilities. Learn the various roles of the leader and how these roles can be applied at the job site. Leadership is one of the most important skills a construction supervisor can practice, which is at the heart of this construction superintendent training course. Successful leaders continue to learn how to be good leaders. Despite what you may think, leadership can be learned. When a good leader and supervisor is able to effectively motivate their teams, their workers are happier, more productive, more satisfied with their job and more willing to put forth extra effort. The leader who truly understands human motivation will find much success in this industry. While taking this construction superintendent training course, students can step into their roles as leaders and thrive.

Risk Management and Problem Solving
In 203 Unit 6 students will practice Identifying, managing, and solving risk related construction problems. Students will understand how to solve and prevent problems and how to make decisions. Technical problems, human performance problems and scheduling problems will be reviewed. Safety in the construction industry is crucial. This class will focus on managing and proactively reducing risk within the construction work environment. Learn how to avoid barriers to creative problem solving and how to create a problem solving atmosphere at the jobsite.  The 203P Risk Management Problem Solving STP Unit 6 is one of the construction supervisor continuing education courses that focus on identifying, managing and solving risk-related construction problems. Learn how to utilize specific methods to reduce risk, prevent loss, and ensure a safe working environment. We will discuss the delegation of responsibility for safety, equipment maintenance, and common construction hazards, and other essential discussions for a safe and productive jobsite as found in our online construction certificate programs. You will learn how to proactively reduce risk within the construction work environment. This class, like our other construction supervisor continuing education courses, will review proactive and reactive problem solving strategies in addition to the documentation, insurance policies, and reference materials that are relevant to what happens in the field.

Contract Documents and Construction Law
In 204 Unit 4 students learn about common construction contract clauses and how to read a contract in this online construction course. Construction disputes, including differing site conditions, claims, delays and construction defects will be studied. 204P Contract Documents and Construction Law is a construction contracts online course that focuses on understanding the relationship between contract documents and the construction process. In this class we explore contractual relationships, legal roles and responsibilities, and contract types. Legal issues will be studied including regulatory issues, liens, bonds, insurance, and how standardized forms are used as well as general conditions clauses that affect levels of decision making authority, project close-out and the superintendent’s role as agent of the contractor. In addition, we study legal issues that often result in construction disputes like differing site conditions, time and schedule impacts, change orders and changed conditions.