This Building Code Enforcement program at South Suburban College deals with the issues involved in inspecting buildings and commercial structures to ensure municipal building code requirements are met. We are proud to be one of the few schools to offer building code enforcement as a program in the South Suburban region.
Building codes vary with each town or city depending on the construction of a commercial or residential structure. Enforcing codes, and building within codes requires detailed knowledge of building construction.
Mission Statement
In South Suburban College’s building code enforcement program, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the field. Additionally you’ll acquire the necessary skills for preparation to take the certification examinations administered by the International Code Council. Specialized inspection training is provided in concrete, framing, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. ICC codes, the most universally accepted in the United States, are emphasized in our program.
Program Goals
Students who complete the Associates of Applied Science in Building Code Enforcement Program at South Suburban College will be prepared for employment in Building Code Enforcement. The mission and philosophy of the SSC Building Code Enforcement Program serves as the framework for the rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that ensures student success. Graduates will be prepared for the profession by demonstrating an active understanding of:
- Principles of construction codes.
- Blueprint reading.
- Basic code enforcement.
- Decision-making in code enforcement.
- Fire extinguishing and detection systems.
- Construction materials and methods in wood, electrical and masonry.
- Legal authority and enforcement techniques.
What will I learn in class?
Classes cover blueprint reading, basic code enforcement, decision-making in code enforcement, fire extinguishing and detection systems, construction materials and methods in wood, electrical and masonry. Specialized inspection training is provided in concrete, framing, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing.
In South Suburban College’s building code enforcement program, you’ll gain a good overall knowledge of the field and preparation to take the certification examinations administered by the International Code Council. ICC codes, the most universally accepted in the United States, are emphasized in our program.
What is the employment outlook?
South Suburban College’s building code enforcement program prepares you for a career as a building inspector. Job opportunities are available in the public sector of the industry through work in local, State and government agencies.
Employment opportunities for building code enforcement graduates are excellent, with median annual earnings of $46,570 according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Building Code Enforcement (BCD.AAS)
Overview for College Success
Overview for College Success (OCS 121) is a course is designed to assist students in the navigation of becoming successful in college and life. Major topics include setting academic, career and personal goals; effective communication strategies; study skills; critical thinking; self-discovery; and learning styles. In addition, this course delves into topics such as stress management, diversity and other well-being topics. Students will develop educational and career plans, learn to utilize college resources and receive extensive help in course planning. OCS 121 credit is not calculated in the course minimum credit totals listed in this section.
Students must take OCS 121 if they meet one or more of the following:
- First time degree seeking students.
- Transfer student with less than 12 credit hours and no evidence of similar course on transcript.
- Registering for 6 or more credits.
- Test into 2 or more developmental classes.
- Currently does not have OCS credit or registered for OCS.
| Overview for College Success | CREDITS | |
|---|---|---|
| OCS 121 | Overview for College Success | 1 |
| General Education | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| SPE 108 | Oral Communication | 3 |
| GROUP II | Select from Humanities Elective Students earning an Associate degree must meet the requirement for coursework on improving human relations as defined in Public Act 87-581. |
3 |
| GROUP III | Select from Social Science Elective Students earning an Associate degree must meet the requirement for coursework on improving human relations as defined in Public Act 87-581. |
3 |
| GROUP IV | Select a Math elective OR Select a Physical and Life Science Electives. (Must include one lab) |
3-4 |
| Program Core | ||
| BLD 101 | Construction Materials and Methods I-Wood | 4 |
| BLD 105 | Print Reading for Building Construction | 3 |
| ENG 121 | Technical Business Writing | 3 |
| BCD 101 | Introduction to Codes Enforcement | 3 |
| BCD 103 | Residential Concrete and Framing Inspections | 3 |
| BCD 104 | Residential Plumbing Inspections | 3 |
| BCD 105 | Residential Electrical Inspections | 3 |
| BCD 106 | Mechanical Inspections | 3 |
| BCD 108 | Building Construction Fire Science | 3 |
| BCD 109 | Property Maintenance | 3 |
| BCD 201 | Decision Making in Code Enforcement | 3 |
| BCD 202 | Plan Review | 3 |
| BCD 225 | Light Commercial Inspection | 3 |
| BLD OR BCD |
Select a Building Construction Elective OR Select a Building Code Enforcement Elective |
5 |
| Minimum for Degree: | 60 | |
Building Construction Electives
| BCD 190 | International Energy Code | 3 |
| BCD 230 | Internship | 3 |
| BCD 239 | Green Building Inspections | 3 |
Building Construction Technology Electives
| BLD 103 | Construction Materials and Methods V- Home Energy Dynamics | 3.5 | BLD 210 | Renovate Energy Efficient Green Home | 5 |
Building Code Enforcement Certificates
Building Code Enforcement Certificate (BCD.BASIC.CODENF)
Gainful Employment Information
Preparation for technical occupations in building code enforcement. The program includes study of principles, emphasizing construction materials and methods, principles of construction codes, legal authority and enforcement techniques.
| Overview for College Success | CREDITS | |
|---|---|---|
| OCS 121 | Overview for College Success | 1 |
| Cluster 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| BCD 101 | Introduction to Code Enforcement | 3 |
| BCD 103 | Residential Concrete and Framing Inspections | 3 |
| BCD 108 | Building Construction Fire Science | 3 |
| BCD 109 | Property Maintenance | 3 |
| BCD 201 | Decision Making in Code Enforcement | 3 |
| BCD 202 | Plan Review | 3 |
| BCD 225 | Light Commercial Inspection | 3 |
| BLD 105 | Print Reading for Building Construction | 3 |
| BLD | Select a Building Construction Elective Select a minimum of 3.5 hours |
3.5 |
| Minimum Hours for Certificate: | 27.5 | |
Building Code Enforcement Electives
| BLD 103 | Home Energy Dynamics | 3.5 |
| BLD 210 | Renovate Energy Efficient Green Home | 5 |
| BLD 220 | Build Energy Efficient Green Home I | 6 |
Basic Certificates
| Overview for College Success | CREDITS | |
|---|---|---|
| OCS 121 | Overview for College Success | 1 |
Concrete and Framing Inspections (BCD.BASIC.CONFRM)
Preparation for technical occupations in building code enforcement. The program covers the principles of construction codes enforcement with an emphasis on single family concrete and framing inspections.
Gainful Employment Information
| BCD 103 | Residential Concrete & Framing Inspections | 3 |
| BCD 202 | Plan Review | 3 |
| BLD 101 | Construction Materials & Methods I – Wood | 4 |
| BLD 102 | Construction Materials & Methods II – Masonry | 4 |
| BLD 105 | Print Reading for Building Construction | 3 |
| BLD 210
BLD 220 |
Build Energy Efficient Green Home I OR Renovate Energy Efficient Green Home |
5
6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 22-23 | |
|---|---|---|
Plumbing Inspections (BCD.BASIC.PLUMBINSP)
Preparation for technical occupations in building code enforcement. The program covers the principles of construction codes enforcement with an emphasis on single family plumbing inspections.
| BCD 104 | Residential Plumbing Inspections | 3 |
| BCD 202 | Plan Review | 3 |
| BLD 101 | Construction Materials & Methods I-Wood | 4 |
| BLD 105 | Print Reading for Building Construction | 3 |
| BLD 105 | Print Reading for Building Construction | 3 |
| BLD 210
BLD 220 |
Build Energy Efficient Green Home I OR Renovate Energy Efficient Green Home |
5
6 |
| BLD 221 | Build Energy Efficient Green Home II | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24-25 | |
|---|---|---|
Mechanical Inspections (BCD.BASIC.MECHINSP)
Preparation for technical occupations in building code enforcement. The program covers the principles of construction codes enforcement with an emphasis on commercial and residential inspections.
| BCD 106 | Mechanical Inspections | 3 |
| BCD 202 | Plan Review | 3 |
| BLD 101 | Construction Materials & Methods I-Wood | 4 |
| BLD 105 | Print Reading for Building Construction | 3 |
| BLD 210
BLD 220 |
Build Energy Efficient Green Home I OR Renovate Energy Efficient Green Home |
5
6 |
| BLD 221 | Build Energy Efficient Green Home II | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24-25 | |
|---|---|---|
Electrical Inspections (BCD.BASIC.ELCINSP)
| BCD 105 | Residential Electrical Inspecting | 3 |
| BCD 202 | Plan Review | 3 |
| BLD 101 | Construction Materials & Methods I-Wood | 4 |
| BLD 105 | Print Reading for Building Construction | 3 |
| BLD 206 | Construction Material & Methods IV- Electrical | 4 |
| BLD 210
BLD 220 |
Build Energy Efficient Green Home I OR Renovate Energy Efficient Green Home |
5
6 |
| BLD 221 | Build Energy Efficient Green Home II | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 22-23 | |
|---|---|---|