Carpentry

The objective of the Carpentry program is to prepare individuals for entry level employment in the carpentry and construction industries. The program is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to become proficient carpenters, and focuses on teaching fundamental carpentry techniques, safety protocols, and industry best practices.

Students are trained in rough framing and formwork, finish interior and exterior applications, as well as basic understanding of other building systems applicable to residential and commercial applications. The Carpentry Program typically includes hands-on training and real-world projects, allowing students to put their theoretical knowledge into practice. Participants may engage in constructing small buildings, framing structures, building cabinets, and other practical assignments under the guidance of experienced carpentry instructors. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates earn an Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) Degree. Rosedale Tech notes that its hands-on, physically demanding program suits people who thrive in active, dynamic settings rather than those looking for a purely academic environment or a desk job.

• Hands-on training at the #1 Cochran TechEx Center, with real-world projects that put theory into practice.
• Facilities “under construction” — a wood shop equipped with hand and power tools such as table saws, jointers, and planers, with lab space that lets students work at heights and assemble building components.
• Focused on student success — career services and a network of employers throughout the Pittsburgh region, with support in job placement, resume building and interview preparation.
• A path to running your own business — the program may also suit someone who dreams of being their own boss in carpentry.

For 75 years, Rosedale Tech has been a trusted name in training technicians in the Pittsburgh region. Rosedale Technical College is a private, non-profit technical college founded in 1949 and in continuous operation since, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In 2018 Forbes ranked Rosedale Tech 11th on its list of Top 25 Two-Year Trade Schools, and in 2021 it ranked 3rd on The Chronicle of Higher Education’s non-profit list of 2-Year Colleges with Best Graduation Rates for 2019.

To be accepted for admission, an applicant must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalent certificate. Applications are accepted from high school students who are expected to graduate; however, their graduation must be confirmed before entering the college. Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check.

Entrance exam. Applicants must successfully complete a recognized entrance exam, administered by a member of the staff, or present an acceptable SAT/ACT score. For Carpentry, Construction, Industrial and Electrical applicants the passing score is 18 on the Wonderlic, or an SAT of 1000 or ACT of 19.

For final acceptance, each applicant must submit an official final high school transcript or an official equivalent certificate/documentation and possess a valid driver’s license.

Transfer credits are accepted: students transferring from another post-secondary institution or the military should speak with the Director of Education, and official transcripts are required for review. Rosedale Tech also has articulation agreements with a number of high school career training centers (CTCs).

Class hours. Monday through Thursday, 7:30am – 3:00pm — a four-day school week that helps students balance school with work and other obligations.

Program length. The courses are taught in four 16-week semesters, and the program can be completed in 16 months. The complete program consists of 75.5 semester credit hours, and progress reports are distributed at the end of each grading period.

Start dates. Classes for day programs start approximately every 8 – 16 weeks. Contact an admissions representative for the exact start date; some programs may not be available for every start date.

Holidays and breaks. In 2026 the college observes M.L. King Day, Presidents Day, Easter Monday, Memorial Day, a summer break from 07/14/26 through 08/02/26, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving and a Christmas break from 12/24/26 through 01/03/27. In 2027 there is a spring break from 03/20/27 through 03/28/27 and a summer break from 07/20/27 through 08/08/27. Due to how holidays fall, some semesters may have an additional week. The maximum time allowed to complete a program is 150% of its published length, measured in semester credit hours attempted.

Tuition and fees. Tuition is $9,750 per semester for four 16-week semesters, a total of $39,000 ($516.56 per credit). Students are full-time when enrolled in 12 to 22 credits per semester, and semester tuition may be adjusted for transfer credits and advanced standing. All programs carry a $40.00 application fee, paid with the application, and a $110.00 registration fee, paid on acceptance. Tuition and fees may be paid by cash, check or credit card.

Other costs. Lab fees, charged each semester, total $1,900. Textbooks and supplies are estimated at $100. A professional tool set through the college is estimated at $2,500. The uniform package is $375. Students must also provide a Windows laptop.

Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Many Rosedale Tech students qualify for some type of financial assistance. The college pairs accepted students with a financial aid coordinator to help customize a personalized financial aid plan that may include eligible grants, loans, and other awards, and will also assist with the application for federal financial aid. Rosedale Tech is proud to support members of the military community as they transition back to civilian life; its financial aid team includes members who are VA certified and can help military students navigate their military benefits for education.

Aid programs. The college is an eligible institution for these programs, and its Financial Aid Officer supplies information on how to apply:

• PA State Grant — for Pennsylvania residents; grants do not have to be repaid, and certain deadline dates apply.
• Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP) — a needs-based state program for PA residents training in short-term programs for a targeted (growth) industry.
• Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) — grants that do not have to be repaid. Title IV eligibility starts with the FAFSA®.
• Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal PLUS Loans for parents of dependent undergraduates — funds borrowed must be repaid.
• Federal Work Study — a limited number of campus jobs, with information in the Student Success Center.
• Veterans’ educational benefits, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation funding, the Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship, and TRA/TAA retraining for displaced workers.

Institutional grants. Students must be conditionally accepted, complete the FAFSA and complete the Grant Application. Grants include an Early Application Grant ($500, apply before December 31st of the senior year of high school), SkillsUSA competition awards (a $250 tool credit for all competitors, and grants for top-3 regional, state and national finishers), a Scouting Achievement Grant ($2,000), a Firefighter/EMS Grant ($1,000), a Gear Grant (up to $3,000 for students with unmet need), a Displaced Worker Grant (up to $4,000), a Pathway Grant and a Changing Lanes Pathway Grant (up to $2,000 for transfer students).

Graduates may find employment as residential carpenters, commercial carpenters, framers, finish carpenters, cabinet makers, and building maintenance personnel. Rosedale Tech works with a diverse network of employers throughout the Pittsburgh region, and its career services team supports job placement, resume building, and interview preparation.

Outcomes. In the 2024–2025 rates reported to the PA State Board of Private Licensed Schools in September 2025, Carpentry recorded no starts (n/a), and there were no 2023–24 graduates to report.

Career services. Advice and instruction in resume preparation, job applications and interviews, and assistance in securing full-time and temporary employment, are provided through Rosedale Technical College’s career placement services. All current students and graduates are eligible for placement assistance throughout their careers. The Student Success Team connects students with employers through career fairs, mock interviews, employer presentations and company field trips, and Rosedale Tech works with over 1,800 regional employers. No guarantee of employment is made, nor are any promises implied regarding minimum starting salaries.

Carpentry training is conducted in a wood shop equipped with various hand and power tools such as table saws, jointer and planer. Additional lab space is designed for students to be able to work at heights while constructing and assembling various building components.

Grading and graduation. Grades are based on classroom participation, laboratory and project work, and written assessments, on a scale from A (91–100) to F (64 and below). To graduate, a student must pass all program courses, reach a minimum cumulative QPA of 2.0, maintain any program attendance requirements and complete any program-specific requirements. A student may face disciplinary action, up to termination, after 10 absences, 10 lates/early departures or 10 partial absences in a semester. Students also receive a soft skills transcript each semester that evaluates communication, eye contact, team participation, timeliness, safety adherence and dress code.

Class size. The average class size is less than 25 students per class; the maximum during lab is 30 students per instructor.

Bring your own technology. Students must have a reliable Windows laptop or netbook (Apple products cannot be used) with a keyboard, Wi-Fi, a camera, at least 4 GB RAM and a 10” screen. Most textbooks are supplied in electronic format, and the college uses Moodle as its learning management system. Programs marked hybrid are intended to be taught fully in person; only in extenuating circumstances may courses be taught in a hybrid format through Moodle.