BIM Certification Course

Autumn BIM Certificate Course
starts October 4, 2022

Register  Here

Project complexity is on the rise and BIM offers us more insight, in ways never thought possible before.

Key project information is available in a virtual form that can help us to mitigate risk and increase predictability.  Owners, designers, contractors, and subs all need to interact earlier, more often, and more effectively.  Effective communication and collaboration are essential to success, BIM facilitates both.  These are just a few of the many reasons that we’ve seen rapid adoption of Building Information Modeling or “BIM” in the design and construction industry, and thus the strong demand for construction management professionals who can leverage the many benefits of BIM on their projects.

This certificate program complements a professional degree or real-world experience by helping construction managers take an active role in the BIM process.  The key differentiator of this program from other BIM education programs available today is the focus on applied BIM skills that can be readily useful in real project settings: what you learn in this program today, you can apply on the job site tomorrow.

Can I get Financial Aid

*We are not able to offer financial aid.

The BIM Certificate course is a self-sustaining program delivered through the Center for Education and Research in Construction and does NOT have a connection to the University’s matriculated programs, as such this course does NOT qualify for University credit.  For university credit and support for international students, the UW offers an online Master’s program.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is ideal for construction managers with limited to no knowledge of the BIM process or software packages. Those in related professions who would like to learn more about how construction managers make use of BIM, such as architects, civil engineers, MEP engineers, trade subcontractors, and those in related fields, would also benefit from this program. It is also a great supplement for students currently pursuing one of these degrees looking to learn practical skills that could help move into a BIM-related role.

Students who successfully complete the coursework and capstone project will receive a Professional Certificate from the UW Department of Construction Management verifying participation in this course and can add it to their curriculum vitae. They will also be granted exclusive access to an online network of UW-Skanska BIM Certificate graduates to support both networking and inform future BIM-related information and offerings.

Technology Requirement

Please note that in order to successfully complete the course each student is required to have access to Autodesk Navisworks Simulate and Manage.  Students taking the class must provide the hardware, software, and internet connection necessary to run these tools.  This software is not provided to students as part of registration.

*  If you live in the Greater Seattle Area you have the option of checking out a laptop provisioned with the required software for an additional fee.  Please contact cerc@uw.edu to inquire about rental.

Course Agenda & Logistics


The hands-on course spans 11 sessions and includes a Capstone project and presentation.

The course is taught online – students can attend from any location. 

Classes are all held live on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 pm – 4:20 pm (PST) and recorded for later review. 

  • Introduction to BIM
  • BIM technology Fundamentals, Part 1
  • Planning for success
  • Coordination and Clash Prevention
  • BIM for project reviews
  • Scheduling with BIM
  • BIM technology Fundamentals, Part 2
  • Quantities and component tracking
  • BIM in the Field
  • Capstone workshop
  • Facilities and Asset Management, and Course Conclusion

Contact bimclass@uw.edu for technical inquiries related to the BIM Certificate course.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the course cost?
∴  The course tuition is $1800 and a non-refundable registration fee.  Currently enrolled UW CBE students and current Skanska employees receive a discount on tuition.

Can I attend online? What if I’m outside of Seattle?
∴  Absolutely!  The course is meant to be completed 100% online.  Students attend from across the country and internationally with great success.  Instruction is delivered live each week of the course via the web-based Canvas platform.  Because we keep the course content and case studies fresh, pre-recorded class sessions are not available.  Each class recording is posted and available the next day for review or to watch for the first time.  the Instructor is available for questions via email.   

How often is the course offered?
∴  We aim to offer the course twice each academic year.  In the Fall (September – December) and again in the Spring (March – June).  Each offering is dependent on registration demand. 

Regarding the technology requirement.  What if I don’t have access to this software?
∴  Each student is required to have access to Autodesk Revit and Navisworks 2014 or later.  Students taking the class remotely must provide the hardware, software, and internet connection necessary to run these tools: this is not provided to students as part of registration.  If you live in the Seattle area, you have the option of renting a laptop provisioned with the required software for an additional fee.  

Does this course qualify for University of Washington credit?
∴  No.  This self-sustaining professional development course is provided by the Department of Construction Management as an independent offering and is not offered as a matriculated course. It does not qualify for UW credit.

Are international participants eligible?
∴  Absolutely!   The course is developed to be delivered 100% online.  Students attend from across the country and internationally with great success.  Instruction is delivered live each week of the course via the web-based Canvas platform.  Because we keep the course content and case studies fresh, pre-recorded class sessions are not available.  Each class recording is posted and available the next day for review or to watch for the first time.  the Instructor is available for questions via email.

Can I get help with an international student visa?
∴  No.  Because this course is not delivered as part of a matriculated university program, we are not able to offer support for the visa application.  This workshop/training does not qualify for a visa.

Can the registration fee be paid in installments?
∴  Not typically, however, if your situation is unique please contact cerc@uw.edu to see if arrangements can be made.  

Do you offer financial aid?
∴  No.  Unfortunately, there is no financial aid available for this course.  

 

CERC and Skanska teamed to develop a uniquely focused, applied Building Information Modeling (BIM) skills certificate course.  Students leave this program with tangible BIM software skills and an understanding of work processes, as well as enough industry context to decide why and how to leverage these capabilities.  The online delivery approach allows the program to be as accessible as possible for working professionals to attend.  This three-hour weekly course is held Tuesday and Thursday evenings, usually in the Fall and in the Spring.  It is offered through the Center for Education and Research in Construction (not UW PCE) and will be hosted virtually through live online broadcasts that will be recorded for those attending at a later time. 

About Skanska USA

Skanska is one of the world’s leading construction and development companies. With U.S. headquarters in New York City, Skanska has offices in 28 metro areas with 9,000 employees nationwide.  Skanska is an industry-leading innovator in both safety and project execution and offers competitive solutions for both traditional and complex assignments to help build a more sustainable future for our customers and communities.

Over the last 18 years, Skanska USA Building has completed over 780 projects using BIM.  In 2018, their work in building construction generated $6.2 billion in revenue.  The emergence of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and related technologies continues to reshape how they deliver projects. The BIM-enabled approach threads together Skanska’s deep, award-winning legacy of construction expertise with innovative technologies and processes to improve the way they work. They’ve applied these cutting-edge technologies to every phase of the building lifecycle, from conceptual design through facility management.

Learn more about Skanska and its approach to innovation here.

About UW’s Center for Education and Research in Education (CERC)

CERC is a locus of research, scholarship, and discovery in the UW’s Department of Construction Management and allied disciplines of architecture, engineering, and real estate.  Focusing on people and practices for the dynamic and innovative construction industry, CERC develops new concepts and contemporary solutions while improving methodologies for design, construction, and operations.  CERC’s labs are focused on Safety and Health, Project Delivery and Management, Virtual Design and Construction, Infrastructure Development, and Sustainable Built Environments.  The Faculty of CERC are not only experts in their field, they are researchers in a wide array of topics but also lead the discipline in translating that expertise into excellent construction education practices and pedagogy to train tomorrow’s construction professionals.

The UW-Skanska Certificate in Building Information Modeling is principally taught by award-winning researcher Dr. Carrie Sturts Dossick of the University of Washington and seasoned BIM trainer and practitioner Dr. Catherine Rose of Skanska USA Building. Over the course of the program, they will also host a number of guest lecturers who are seasoned BIM professionals active in the field today. These experts bring current, real-life experience to the classroom environment to share best practices and lessons learned while answering difficult questions relative to how BIM tools impact collaboration, communication, and quality in our rapidly changing industry.