Carpenters

Overview of Carpentry as a College Program

Carpentry programs are considered trade or technical programs, and are therefore coordinated by these departments at colleges and universities. The hands-on nature of the program means students will be exposed to a curriculum that blends classroom learning with practical training where students build and practice the skills they have learned.

Carpentry Curriculum

Different carpentry programs may vary their curriculums somewhat, but many courses and topics remain the same regardless of the institution teaching the program. Some of the courses you may take in a carpentry degree program include:

• Safety
• Wood Products
• Trade Mathematics
• Plan Reading
• Hand Tools
• Power Tools
• Site Layout/Design
• Concrete Foundations
• Footing and Edge Forms
• Framing
• Window Installation
• Walls and Ceilings
• Flooring
• Doors
• Blueprint Reading
• Supervision
• Site Preparation
• Field Engineering
• Laser Instruments

Education Levels Available for a Carpentry Degree

Carpentry degrees are available at the lower levels of higher education. This is because the field of carpentry is less an academic discipline than a trade of skilled labor. Universities which offer four year degrees and beyond focus on academics rather than trades, therefore a bachelor's degree or further study in carpentry is not available.

In the areas of higher education, the carpentry degree is either awarded as a certificate or an associate's degree in carpentry. Students in vocational high schools, however, can pursue a degree in carpentry as their high school diploma. These programs generally take one or two years for the student to complete.

Skills Developed through a Carpentry Degree Program

A carpentry degree teaches students a variety of skills. Many of these skills are specific to the field of carpentry, while others can be applied to different areas of life and the general work environment. Some of the skills that a carpentry degree program instills within students are:

• Ability to use mathematics to analyze situations and create new structural designs
• Knowledge of various tools, their applications, functions, and composition
• Understanding of common and local safety regulations and the steps necessary to comply with them
• Ability to read blueprints and follow their parameters to ensure customer success
• Understanding of worker management techniques and managerial theory as well as supervisory tactics
• Ability to assess jobs and deliver estimates to prospective clients

Where to Obtain a Carpentry Degree

Carpentry degrees are offered through a number of different sources and institutions. They can be earned at community colleges as Associate's degrees. Most carpentry degrees, however, are obtained through vocational schools and technical colleges as certificates or Associate's degrees. Some carpentry firms also offer apprenticeship programs which may last up to four years, but offer a salary while the student learns.

Career Opportunities for Carpentry Majors

Those who complete a carpentry degree program will find a decent job market available to them. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of carpentry positions is expected to increase by 13 percent by 2018. This is an average rate of growth and should offer steady employment for most carpentry degree program graduates.

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