Heavy Equipment

To qualify for enrollment, applicants must be able to read and write the English language and be at least 18 years of age. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Most employers require a drug test; therefore, it is recommended that students are able to pass a drug screening test.

Certain criteria may disqualify an applicant because they may prevent a graduate from obtaining employment; admission may still be granted if the Institution determines the applicant is capable of obtaining employment upon graduation. The Institution will make this determination on a case-by-case basis.

Prerequisite. A student must complete the Heavy Equipment Colleges of America (HEC) Certificate of Heavy Equipment Operations-Level I program or exhibit a minimum of 3 years of documented practical heavy equipment work experience as a prerequisite for admission to the Associate of Occupational Science in Heavy Equipment degree program. The certificate or documentation will be submitted to the Vice President of Education & Compliance for review of equivalency and determination of acceptance into the program.

Length. Time to Complete: 60 Semester Hours; Eight (8), 10-week terms (24 months). Clock Hours: Didactic = 1,185; Supervised Laboratory = 240; Total Clock Hours = 1425.

Delivery. The Associate of Occupational Science in Heavy Equipment degree is a hybrid/blended, asynchronous program.

Terms. Spring term classes begin January 5, 2026; Summer April 6, 2026; Fall July 6, 2026; Winter October 5, 2026. The 2027 terms begin January 4, April 5, July 5 and October 4, 2027.

BP101: Introduction to Blueprints. In this course, students are introduced to basic blueprint terms, components, and symbols. It presents different types of construction drawings commonly found on job sites and describes why each type of drawing is important. The course covers standardized information contained on blueprints such as identification, revision status, symbols, project titles, dimensions, and scale. It shows the importance of reading and interpreting blueprints to visualize a project before starting to build it. Outside coursework is required.

CM101: Principles of Construction Management. This course is designed to help students understand the major functions of construction management (planning, organizing, leading, and controlling) and the significance of each function in relationship to the existence of the company. This course describes how companies use management to set and accomplish goals through individuals, groups, and other types of resources. It also analyzes communication and ethics in the organization. Other topics include decision making, change, employee development, organizational structures, management control, leadership, conflict resolution, information security, and globalization. Outside coursework is required.

CM103: Construction Safety. This course provides a comprehensive exploration of safety principles, regulatory standards, and ethical practices in the construction industry. Students will examine the historical evolution of the safety movement, analyze the financial and human costs of workplace accidents, and learn to implement proactive safety strategies that go beyond compliance. Through detailed study of OSHA’s 29 CFR 1926 standards and real-world case applications, learners will gain the skills to conduct job hazard analyses, develop site-specific safety programs, investigate incidents, and prepare emergency response plans. The course also addresses ethical decision-making, workers’ compensation, and the psychological impact of workplace trauma. By the end, students will be equipped to foster a culture of safety and accountability on construction sites.

CM201: Construction Administration. The student will be introduced to processes and methods of administrative responsibilities, which will help in producing a quality construction project. Will illustrate to the student how building codes and standards stipulate design and construction of buildings. A building code is defined as a set of rules of procedure and standards of materials designed to secure uniformity and protect the public interest in such matters as building construction and public health, established usually by a public agency and commonly having the force of law in a particular jurisdiction. Outside coursework is required.

CM202: Construction Management and Supervision. This course is designed to lead the student through the day-to-day activities of the project supervisor from project startup to final completion. Special emphasis will be placed on working relationships with trade contractors and local inspectors. Modern construction scheduling methods and techniques and the application of various scheduling methods will provide an understanding of the importance that time phasing and coordination have on completing a construction project in a timely manner. Outside coursework is required.

CM203: Estimating Techniques. This course is designed to familiarize the student with construction cost estimating. The five (5) basic elements involved in the estimating process will be covered. These five elements are: (1) working drawings and specifications; (2) subcontractor’s bids; (3) quantity take-offs; (4) checklists; and (5) a summary cost estimate. A major emphasis will be placed on accurate quantity takeoffs. Will introduce more advanced methods of cost estimating. From a set of blueprints, the students will apply man hours, labor costs, and material costs to quantity takeoffs. Students will learn how to interpret data generated and how to modify the computer program to meet their estimating needs. Outside coursework is required.

COM101: Speech Communication. A survey of the major concepts of speech communication. This course provides an introduction to interpersonal skills (perception, listening, verbal and nonverbal communication); public speaking (organization, delivery, and basic speech writing); and small group communication (leadership, assertiveness and listening). Emphasis is on the application of these basic concepts in the personal, academic, and professional lives of students. Outside coursework is required.

ENG101: English Composition I. This course emphasizes the process of writing expository and persuasive essays using effective writing skills and a variety of research techniques. Also included in the course content are critical reading and logical reasoning. Outside coursework is required.

ER101: Soil and Erosion Control. This course is designed for those who directly supervise crews who install erosion and sediment control on construction sites. The course emphasizes the function and proper installation to minimize or control erosion and sedimentation. Also covered are the basics of soil erosion, vegetation establishment, and stream restoration. Outside coursework is required.

ETH201: Business Ethics. This course examines business ethics from both an organizational and managerial perspective. Students will examine the goal of business organizations, as well as individual conduct in business settings. Ethical reasoning and ethical leadership will guide debate on topics such as: creating an ethical climate in an organization, honesty, affirmative action, environmental ethics, ethics in advertising and sales, financial management, personnel management, and the role of character and virtues in effective leadership. Outside coursework is required.

EX101: Introduction to Excavating. / 30 Lab Hours Students will be presented with the use, safe operation, and maintenance of excavators; describes various operating techniques; explains and demonstrates the use of excavators in ditching, grading, and slope finishing operations. Outside coursework is required.

EX201: Excavation II. / 30 Lab Hours In this course, you will learn how OSHA Excavation and Trenching Standards help prevent cave-ins, falls, falling loads, and hazards from mobile equipment, water accumulation, poisonous gases, or access and egress obstructions. You will learn, soil classifications, soil types, and how to determine which is which. Students will also explore pipe excavation, pipe burying, and pipe laying. Outside coursework is required.

GC101: Grade Control. / 30 Lab Hours Students will be presented with the knowledge necessary to operate various types of heavy equipment to finish and trim grades and slopes of roads, pads, ditches, and other structures; specifications used for grading, and procedures for checking the final grade. Outside coursework is required.

GR101: Introduction to Grading. / 30 Lab Hours This course introduces the concept of preparing graded surfaces using heavy equipment. Covers identification of construction stakes and interpretation of marks on each type of stake. Describes process for grading slopes. Outside coursework is required.

GR201: Grading II. / 30 Lab Hours This course will present students with the use of various types of heavy equipment to finish and trim grades and slopes of roads, pads, ditches, and other structures: specifications used for grading, and procedures for checking the final grade. Students will perform steps for completing grading projects from start to finish meeting industry standards. Outside coursework is required.

HEO201: Heavy Equipment Preventative Maintenance. / 30 Lab Hours This course covers preventative maintenance and compliance inspections on mobile heavy equipment. Students will be presented with the safety considerations, procedures, and equipment/materials required for these inspections. Outside coursework is required.

HYD101: Hydraulics. This course will begin with the fundamental concepts of hydraulic systems and the terminology specific to those systems. The course explains Pascal’s Law and covers common measurement units used for hydraulic systems. Students will be introduced to and learn the calculations used in determining adequate pressure, flow, and actuators to complete a well-designed hydraulic system. The course continues with an introduction to components and their principles of operation. Safety concerns will be addressed throughout the course and the course will close out relating the above content to mobile heavy equipment operations. Outside coursework is required.

MAT201: Excavation Math. Students will receive advanced instruction for all aspects of excavation calculations. The course will include formulas that are used on excavation sites to calculate areas, volumes, lengths, and angles. Outside coursework is required.

MCT101: Introduction to Microcomputers. Fundamental concepts of computer information systems as applied to microcomputers in business and personal use. Lecture format and supervised hands-on experience with a variety of microcomputer software. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course. Outside coursework is required.

PS101: Basic Soil Science. The objectives of this course are to provide a general understanding of soil science as related to soil composition, properties, and bio-chemical reactions so that students understand the importance of soils in the environment in which we live. Outside coursework is required.

Fuel, Equipment and Environmental Fees apply to all HEO/EX/GC/GR courses. Books and supplies are estimates; actual price may vary. Approximate Total Cost does not reflect any granting of Transfer Credit.

Financial aid. Heavy Equipment Colleges of America does not participate in Title IV federal funding. HEC works with several sources of funding, including, but not limited to: Approved for VA Education; Vocational Rehabilitation; Federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Program; Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act; In-house financing; Bureau of Indian Affairs; Students may also pay cash; Other financing options for those who qualify. HEC does accept WIOA funds provided an agreement between the Agency and HEC can be reached.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the field of heavy equipment operation will grow as much as 4% from 2025 to 2035. And with positions available, you’ll want to make sure you get into one that can launch a career in construction. That’s why the AOS degree and the skills it teaches you are important. This degree will give you an edge in the career competition by equipping you with the diverse skills that employers tell us they are looking for.

Career services. The Institution's job placement service is available to assist graduates with finding employment. Students will undergo a job placement entrance interview/orientation with HEC. HEC will then begin contacting employers within the same geographical area as the students’ zip code, including those zip codes of out-of-state students, post job openings and assist the student in contacting prospective employers. Upon a student's successful completion of the program, the Institution will give each graduate a list of employers who have hired graduates or requested to be on the Institution's list. The Institution does not guarantee any of its graduates that they will become employed as a result of the training.

Training material. Required books and supplies are provided to students. A training book containing the program curriculum is checked-out to students upon enrollment and students return the training book at program completion.

Training environment. Training may take place in a variety of academic environments including but not limited to lecture, hands-on, field, site, and lab. Field training is structured where students are organized in groups.