BUILD YOUR FUTURE IN CONSTRUCTION WITH A PROGRAM DESIGNED AROUND YOU

The Citrus College Construction Management program gives you the skills, knowledge and confidence to step into the industry and start building your career. Whether you are just getting started or looking to level up, you will learn what it takes to succeed in today's fast-moving construction field.

In February 2026, the program reached a major milestone by earning accreditation after a rigorous two-and-a-half-year process that began in April 2023. This recognition confirms that what you are learning meets high industry standards, with the program achieving accreditation with zero deficiencies or weaknesses.

Our courses are shaped by real industry needs, so what you learn in the classroom connects directly to the job site. You will gain hands-on experience, work on practical projects and learn from instructors who have been there and done it. An active industry advisory board helps keep everything current, relevant and aligned with what employers are looking for right now.

You will also have access to internships, networking opportunities and career support that help you move from student to professional with confidence. Along the way, you can explore career paths, build your resume and even work toward credentials like the Construction Manager-in-Training (CMIT®).

Here, you are not just another student. You will be supported by faculty who are invested in your success, offering guidance, mentorship and a learning experience that prepares you for real-world challenges.

This is more than a program. It is your starting point for a strong, rewarding career in construction.

PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION
For information, call (626) 914-8567 or email construction@citruscollege.edu.


FIRST IN CALIFORNIA: CITRUS COLLEGE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ACCREDITED

Citrus College sets a new standard for construction education in California, becoming the first community college in the state to earn accreditation from the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). The recognition places the program among the nation's most respected, affirming that its curriculum, faculty and student outcomes meet the highest industry benchmarks.

Since launching in 2019, the program has focused on building a strong, industry-aligned foundation that prepares students for real careers in construction. That effort culminated in a rigorous accreditation process, including a comprehensive self-study, curriculum refinements and an on-site review by ACCE. The result is a program that not only meets national standards but positions students for long-term success.

For students, this means more than recognition — it means opportunity. Construction management continues to be a high-demand, high-paying field, with strong projected job growth and increasing earning potential. Graduates leave the program with the knowledge, training and credibility employers look for.

With accreditation secured, Citrus College is poised for continued growth, strengthened industry partnerships and expanded opportunities for students ready to enter and advance in the construction field.

Learn more about this accomplishment in the official college press release.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Citrus College Construction Management (CM) program equips students with the foundational knowledge, technical skills and professional competencies necessary for success in the construction industry.

Through a student-centered, industry-aligned curriculum, we prepare individuals for diverse entry-level opportunities while fostering a learning environment that promotes innovation, collaboration and lifelong learning.

Our program is built on a strong educational foundation, combining academic instruction with real-world industry engagement. With guidance from an active industry advisory board (IAB), our courses remain relevant, responsive and aligned with current industry standards.

Students benefit from exposure to internships and networking opportunities, ensuring a seamless transition into the workforce. We emphasize practical experience, integrating hands-on learning with theoretical principles to develop well-rounded students.

At the heart of our program is a commitment to student success and career readiness. We provide career exploration support, employment services and professional development opportunities, including pathways to earning the Construction Manager-in-Training (CMIT®) credential.

Our faculty is composed of experienced industry professionals and academic experts, each upholding a win-win instructional approach that ensures students receive personalized guidance, mentorship and a dynamic classroom experience.

As we strive for excellence and continuous improvement, we are actively pursuing ACCE accreditation to validate the quality of our program. We embrace technological advancements, diversity and ethical integrity, fostering a learning community where students can thrive.

The construction management program is more than just an educational pathway — it is a launchpad for professional growth, empowering students to overcome challenges, embrace innovation and make meaningful contributions to the construction industry and community at large.


PROGRAM MISSION, VISION, VALUES

MISSION: Citrus College Construction Management (CM) program equips students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed for entry-level construction careers. Through an industry-aligned curriculum, hands-on experiences and strategic partnerships, we cultivate a safe, accessible, and equitable environment that empower our diverse student population to achieve long-term success.

VISION: We envision Citrus College as a hub of excellence in construction management education — one that delivers responsive, high-quality learning opportunities. Our goal is to empower students to overcome challenges, embrace innovation and emerge as active contributors to the future of the construction industry.

CORE VALUES

  • Student Success and Completion: Meeting student needs by creating an educational environment in which students can attain a variety of goals
  • Excellence: Maintaining a high standard of integrity and performance leading to the achievement of academic and career goals
  • Collaboration: Seeking input from all sectors of the college and the community
  • Diversity: Fostering a learning community in which the diverse values, goals, and learning styles of all students are recognized and supported
  • Lifelong Learning: Encouraging enthusiastic, independent thinkers and learners striving for personal growth
  • Integrity: Behaving ethically in all interactions at all levels
  • Technological Advancement: Implementing cutting-edge technology that enhances instruction and prepares students for life-long success

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Our teaching philosophy is built on the combined expertise of construction industry practitioners and academic professionals, with the student at the center of our mission. We believe that education is a collaborative, two-way process where instructors act as mentors, coaches and advisors — dedicated to ensuring every student's success.

  • Student-Centered Learning : We prioritize personalized instruction that meets each student's unique needs and leverages their individual experiences.

  • Communication and Collaboration : By fostering open dialogue and active listening, we create a classroom environment that values two-way communication and mutual trust.

  • Adaptability and Inclusivity : Recognizing that no two students are alike, we strive to be flexible, accessible and inclusive — welcoming diverse perspectives as a catalyst for richer learning experiences.

  • Win-Win Philosophy : We operate on a win-win principle: a student's success directly reflects our success. Our commitment is to be the best mentors, coaches and supporters, guiding students toward lifelong learning and career achievement.

  • Diversity in Construction : We acknowledge that diversity enhances integrated construction teams, driving innovation and improved project outcomes. Our classroom mirrors the global industry by welcoming a variety of backgrounds and experiences, thereby enriching the learning process for everyone.


DEGREE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

  1. Deliver a Comprehensive Two-Year Program
    Provide a robust educational experience that builds the essential knowledge and skills for thriving in modern construction project environments
    • Industry Engagement: Maintain active collaboration with the industry advisory board (IAB) to ensure curriculum relevance
    • Benchmarking Excellence: Participate in industry conferences and professional events to benchmark academic standards
    • Continuous Improvement: Implement and regularly update a comprehensive continuous improvement plan

  2. Facilitate Pathways to Gainful Employment
    Expose students to diverse entry-level opportunities and support their transition into the workforce
    • Career Exploration: Facilitate internships, apprenticeships, and job advancement opportunities
    • Industry Partnerships: Develop strategic alliances with industry leaders to enrich the learning experience
    • Real-World Insights: Bring industry experts into the classroom
    • Collaborative Support: Foster strong working relationships among students, faculty and career counselors
    • Employment Services: Provide dedicated support in resume building, interview preparation and networking

  3. Ensure Curriculum Relevance and Continuous Improvement
    Align the program with regional industry needs through ongoing review and refinement
    • Annual Reviews: Evaluate and update program goals and objectives yearly to stay in sync with institutional and industry strategies
    • Regular Evaluations: Conduct recurring program and curriculum assessments
    • Feedback-Driven Enhancements: Implement improvements based on input from industry partners and alumni
    • Outcome Assessments: Administer annual student learning outcomes (SLO) and course learning outcomes (CLO) assessments
    • Advisory Leverage: Utilize insights from the construction management IAB to guide improvements
    • Administrative Support: Secure continuous backing and funding from Citrus College administration

  4. Achieve ACCE Accreditation
    Pursue accreditation from the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) to affirm the program's quality and industry relevance
    • Mentor Engagement: Work closely with an assigned ACCE mentor for ongoing guidance
    • Professional Development: Attend ACCE conferences to stay current with training and accreditation standards
    • Active Participation: Contribute to ACCE initiatives and participate as a valued member of the ACCE VT community

  5. Adopt a Win-Win Instructional Approach
    Foster an educational environment where both students and educators benefit through mutual success
    • Instructional Philosophy: Develop and implement a comprehensive CM instructional framework that emphasizes partnership
    • Interpersonal Skills: Integrate the development of communication and collaboration skills throughout the curriculum
    • Professional Integrity: Deliver courses grounded in professionalism, ethical standards, teamwork and sustained professional trust

  6. Prepare Students for the CMIT Credential
    Equip students to earn the Construction Manager-in-Training (CMIT) credential from the Construction Management Association of America
    • Professional Association: Establish and operate the Citrus College Construction Management Association (CC-CMA) to foster leadership and professional growth
    • Leadership Opportunities: Integrate student participation in leadership roles and support functions within the CMA framework

DATA: DEGREE PROGRAM GRADUATES
Program data using visual tables and charts — specifically program level degree awards — can be provided upon request through the college's office of institutional research, planning and effectiveness at irpe@citruscollege.edu.

DATA: STUDENT ENROLLMENT
Program data using visual tables and charts — specifically, enrolled students during a designated timeframe and full-time equivalent students — can be provided upon request through the college's office of institutional research, planning and effectiveness at irpe@citruscollege.edu.


SUMMARY REPORT OF ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES AND DEGREE
Contact instructor Roberto Loya at rloya@citruscollege.edu to request a copy of the Construction Management Quality Improvement Plan and Outcomes of SLO Assessment, available as a PDF file.


PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Upon graduation from an accredited associate degree program, ACCE requires that all graduates shall be able to:

  1. Apply effective communication, both orally and in writing
  2. Apply quantity takeoff skills for bidding or budgeting purposes on a construction project
  3. Apply the aptitude to schedule a basic construction project
  4. Apply current technology related to the construction industry
  5. Apply the interpretation of construction documents (contracts, specifications and drawings) used in managing a construction project
  6. Apply basic principles of construction accounting
  7. Apply basic surveying techniques used in building layout
  8. Understand basic principles of ethics in the construction industry
  9. Understand the fundamentals of contracts, codes and regulations that govern a construction project
  10. Understand basic construction methods and materials
  11. Understand basic safety hazards on a construction site and standard prevention measures
  12. Understand the basic principles of structural design
  13. Understand the basic principles of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems

CLASSIFICATION OF INSTRUCTION PROGRAM CODE
CIP Code 522001 - Construction Management, General