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Associate in Specialized Technology Degree

Through lectures, demonstrations, shop exercises, and campus work projects, students are prepared for employment in the residential-commercial masonry construction industry. Students are trained in the skills needed to be proficient masons in brick, block, and tile. Students are also given the opportunity, based on their personal interests, to learn the elements of other trowel trades, including stonework, concrete, glass block, stucco, and plaster. The goal of the program is to prepare students to become leaders at many levels in the construction field: journeyman mason, job site foreman, construction superintendent, project manager, front office administrator, or owner of a contracting firm.

The study of masonry begins with the basics, such as the use of tools, the spreading of mortar, and safety; progresses to intermediate projects, such as building straight walls, arches, and chimneys; and continues with complex projects, such as fireplaces and decorative work. In the study of block construction, students learn how to construct corners, straight walls, and foundations. Tile training involves area preparation and the setting, cleaning, and repair of tiled surfaces. In addition to providing instruction in masonry skills, students also receive instruction in other areas of importance to a mason such as cost estimation, foremanship, site layout, and general contracting. Students also receive instruction in the technical, business, logistical, and management aspects of the construction industry so that they are prepared to advance into supervisory or administrative positions in large construction firms or to run their own businesses. The program covers the process and procedures required for carrying out construction projects from start to finish including reading blueprints and specifications, estimating labor and material costs, and complying with building permit requirements, mandatory site tests, and bidding, bonding, and contracting procedures.

Introduction to the Program

“The study of masonry begins with the basics, such as the use of tools, the spreading of mortar, and safety; progresses to intermediate projects, such as building straight walls, arches, and chimneys; and continues with complex projects, such as fireplaces and decorative work.”

Pete Zwolak, Director of Masonry

Employment Information

Potential Masonry Jobs

Who Has Hired Our Graduates?

Masonry Courses

MASN 111 Basic Masonry Theory I

Studies fundamental information related to the masonry industry, including: safe work practices; basic hand and power tools; brick and block sizes, nomenclature, and characteristics; mortar types, characteristics, and mixing procedures; and related equipment.
2

MASN 112 Basic Masonry Skills I

Provides practical experience in the basic skills related to the masonry industry, including: mixing mortar, stocking block and brick, scaffold building, spreading bed joints, buttering head joints, laying block to the line, striking mortar joints, and building corners, leads, and straight walls with concrete block.
5

MASN 121 Basic Masonry Theory II

Studies fundamental information related to the masonry industry, including: plan reading, estimating, moisture control (including cleaning, pointing, and caulking). Provides instruction in safe work practices and masonry-related job opportunities.
2

MASN 122 Basic Masonry Skills II

Provides continued reinforcement and practical experience in the basic skills related to the masonry industry, including: spreading bed joints and buttering head joints for brick, laying brick to the line, striking mortar joints, and building corners, leads, and straight walls with brick.
5

MASN 231 Intermediate Masonry Theory I

Studies fundamental information related to the concrete and cement industry, including: the ingredients and mixing of concrete; interpreting specifications and understanding testing procedures for concrete; the tools used in forming, placing, and finishing concrete; and estimating and repairing concrete. Also discusses arc welding and oxyacetylene cutting.
2

MASN 232 Intermediate Masonry Skills I

Provides continued reinforcement and practical experience in the basic skills related to laying brick and block. Provides practical experience in the basic skills related to the concrete masonry industry, including: constructing forms; placing, leveling, finishing, and curing concrete.
5

MASN 241 Intermediate Masonry Theory II

Offers further study in fundamental information related to the concrete and cement industry, including: plan reading and estimating of concrete; preparation of substrate and forms; placing, leveling, finishing, and curing concrete. Discusses finishing floors, steps, sidewalks, and patios; constructing joints; and protection of concrete.
2

MASN 242 Intermediate Masonry Skills II

Provides continued reinforcement and practical experience in the basic skills related to laying brick and block and in skills related to the concrete masonry industry.
4

MASN 251 Advanced Masonry Theory I

Offers a study of advanced topics in the masonry industry, including: specialty products such as customized masonry units, glass block, sills, lintels, and copings. Technical discussion includes the function and location of control joints in walls and factors to consider in the construction of chimneys and fireplaces. Also discusses stone masonry, to include various types of stone and bonding styles. Introduces floor and wall tile installation, as well as stone, slate, marble, and granite panels.
3.5

MASN 252 Advanced Masonry Skills I

Provides shop practice and on-the-job experience in skills related to the masonry industry: the layout and construction of various types of arches; the construction of stone walls in rubble and ashlar patterns; the layout and construction of conventional and heat-circulating fireplaces.
6

MASN 261 Advanced Masonry Theory II

Offers primarily an in-depth explanation of how to take-off material quantities and other types of masonry, to include labor costs, overhead, contingencies, and then build profit into estimates. Also explores the topic of concrete reinforcement and ceramic tile installation.
3.5

MASN 262 Advanced Masonry Skills II

Provides practical experience to improve masonry skills already acquired, with an emphasis on production and the application of theory principles of planning and supervision as applied to real job situations. Involves construction work on campus restoration and improvement projects along with optional involvement in off-campus masonry construction projects.
6

MASN 263 Topics in Advanced Masonry

Provides instruction on state-of-the-art advancements, trends, and future-forward concepts in masonry as they relate to theory, skills, and leadership in the field.
3