Architecture and Construction
The Academy of Architecture and Construction offers the following career pathways:
- Architectural and Engineering Design
- Residential and Commercial Construction
Architectural and Engineering Design
Architectural and Engineering Design
This pathway prepares individuals to apply engineering principles and technical skills in support of architects, engineers and planners engaged in designing and developing buildings, urban complexes, and related systems. Includes instruction in design testing procedures, building site analysis, model building and computer graphics, architectural rendering, computer-aided drafting (CAD), layout and designs, architectural blueprint interpretation, building materials, and basic structural wiring diagramming.
National Career Cluster Alignment
The Architectural & Engineering Design Pathway is a part of the Architecture & Construction career cluster. The Architecture & Construction Career Cluster is focused on careers in designing, planning, managing, building and maintaining the built environment.
Pathway Courses
Level 1 Course: Architectural & Engineering Design I
-
Architectural & Engineering Design I is a foundational course in the Architecture & Construction cluster for students interested in a variety of engineering and design professions. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to create technical drawings of increasing complexity, and utilize these skills to complete the design process and communicate project outcomes. Students will build foundational skills in freehand sketching, fundamental technical drawing, and related measurement and math. Standards in this course also include career exploration within the technical design industry, as well as an overview of the history and impact of architecture and engineering. In addition, students will begin compiling artifacts for inclusion in a portfolio, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.
-
Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 Construction. The OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights
Level 2 Course: Architectural & Engineering Design II
- Architectural & Engineering Design II is the second course in the Architectural & Engineering Design program of study. Students in this course build their skills in developing and representing design ideas using technical drawing and modeling techniques, and apply the design process to solve design problems. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to use computer aided drafting (CAD) software to create multi-view, sectional view, auxiliary view, and three-dimensional drawings using industry standard dimensioning and notation. Students will connect drawings with actual physical layouts by building models based on drawings, creating drawings based on objects and other physical layouts, and using software to create basic three-dimensional models. In addition, students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in a portfolio, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.
- Aligned Industry Credential: Autodesk AutoCAD Certified User.
Level 3 Course: Architectural & Engineering Design III
- Architectural & Engineering Design III is the third course in the Architectural & Engineering Design program of study. In this advanced course, students will apply technical drawing and design skills developed in the previous courses to specific architectural and mechanical design projects and contexts. In the process, students will expand their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills by assessing the requirements of a project alongside the available resources in order to accomplish realistic planning. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to employ methods of data collection and analysis to provide others with appropriate information for project sand to develop their own designs. Students will also be able to engage with industry-specific technology to create visual representations of project outcomes. In addition, students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in a portfolio, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.
- Aligned Industry Credential: Autodesk REVIT Certified User. The Autodesk Certified User Revit Architecture certification measures professional users’ knowledge of the tools, features, and common tasks of Revit Architecture. This modeling software allows users to focus on designing buildings, work in any view, iterate throughout the different design phases, and make changes to major compositional elements.
Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway
-
Credit Type: Industry Credential for Dual Credit
-
Institution: NSCC - Nashville State Community College
- Industry Credential for Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete the aligned industry credential assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the assessment and earns the aligned industry credential, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.
Affiliated Career & Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.
Residential and Commercial Construction
Residential and Commercial Construction
This pathway prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills to layout, cut, fabricate, erect, install, and repair wooden structures and fixtures, using hand and power tools. The pathway includes instruction in technical mathematics, framing, construction materials and selection, job estimating, blueprint reading, foundations and roughing-in, finish carpentry techniques, and applicable codes and standards.
National Career Cluster Alignment
The Residential and Commercial Construction Pathway is a part of the Architecture and Construction career cluster. The Architecture and Construction Career Cluster is focused on careers in designing, planning, managing, building and maintaining the built environment.
Pathway Courses
Level 1 Course: Residential and Commercial Construction I
-
Residential and Commercial Construction I is the second course in the Residential and Commercial Construction program of study intended to prepare students for careers in construction by developing an understanding of the different phases of a construction project from start to finish. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill in the earlier phases of building construction, including site layout, foundation systems, concrete, framing systems, and electrical systems. Students will be able to perform concrete work; frame walls, ceilings, and floors of a structure; and install proper wiring while safely employing tools and interpreting construction drawings to complete projects. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating proper measurement and application of mathematical concepts. Standards in this course also include principles of the construction industry and business and project management. Students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in their portfolios, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.
-
Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 Construction. The OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights
Level 2 Course: Residential and Commercial Construction II
- Residential and Commercial Construction II is the third course in the Residential and Commercial Construction program of study intended to prepare students for careers in construction by developing an understanding of the different phases of a construction project from start to finish. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill in the later phases of building construction including roofing systems, exterior finishing, stair framing systems, masonry systems, and plumbing systems. Students will be able to perform masonry work; frame roofs; install shingles on roofs; apply exterior finishes; and install proper piping for plumbing systems while safely employing tools and interpreting construction drawings to complete projects. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating proper measurement and application of mathematical concepts. Standards in this course also include an introduction to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, principles of the construction industry, and business and project management. Students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in their portfolios, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.
- Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 30 Construction. The OSHA 30 Hour Construction Industry Certification and Training course is a comprehensive safety program designed for anyone involved in the construction industry. Specifically devised for safety directors, foremen, and field supervisors; the program provides complete information on OSHA compliance issues
Level 3 Course: Residential and Commercial Construction II
- Residential and Commercial Construction II is the third course in the Residential and Commercial Construction program of study intended to prepare students for careers in construction by developing an understanding of the different phases of a construction project from start to finish. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill in the later phases of building construction including roofing systems, exterior finishing, stair framing systems, masonry systems, and plumbing systems. Students will be able to perform masonry work; frame roofs; install shingles on roofs; apply exterior finishes; and install proper piping for plumbing systems while safely employing tools and interpreting construction drawings to complete projects. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating proper measurement and application of mathematical concepts. Standards in this course also include an introduction to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, principles of the construction industry, and business and project management. Students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in their portfolios, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.
- Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 30 Construction. The OSHA 30 Hour Construction Industry Certification and Training course is a comprehensive safety program designed for anyone involved in the construction industry. Specifically devised for safety directors, foremen, and field supervisors; the program provides complete information on OSHA compliance issues
Affiliated Career and Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.

