Online Home Inspection Degrees: Program Options

Home inspection degree programs are available online to prepare students to inspect residential properties and make a report before a purchase is made. Most offer a certification and licensure curriculum with college credit transferable into an associate's degree program.

Overview of an Online Home Inspection Associate's Degree Program

Although the home inspection specialty is usually pursued via a certificate program, many courses can apply to an Associate's of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in construction management or real estate. There are typically no prerequisites for entry. Students in these programs learn how to inspect home electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, structures, roofs, interiors and exteriors. These programs prepare students for state examinations to gain home inspector certification or licensure.

Program Information and Requirements

Home inspection certificate programs usually include 5-16 credit hour requirements and take approximately 9-12 months to complete, while related associate's degree programs take approximately two years of full-time coursework. All class delivery is completed online at the student's convenience. Exams are web-based and many programs let students complete testing and assignments at their own pace. Additional resources may be provided in the form of videos, help screens, tools and manuals to enhance the participant's learning experience. Some programs offer an optional hands-on learning portion.

List of Common Courses

Home inspection courses focus on building structures, layouts, construction components and codes. Associate's degree programs also require general education classes, which typically include math, English, humanities and science.

Construction Components and Methods Course

Students of this course study both interior and exterior components and application of the methods used in light and residential construction. Carpentry, woodworking, masonry, blueprints, building specifications, power tools, leveling equipment and construction management are some of the topics covered.

Concrete Course

This class emphasizes the foundations, conditions and techniques related to concrete. Students learn how to inspect conditions in concrete footings, foundations, beams and slabs, and how to write a report on their findings.

Wall Systems Course

The components of walls systems, including trusses, frames and foundations, are the focus of this course. Participants learn to review the building layout and installation of walls, identify construction issues and use math to solve any problems identified in these areas.

Career Information for Graduates

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction and building inspectors earned a median annual wage of $51,530 in May of 2009 (www.bls.gov). Employment of home inspectors had increased rapidly because of an increased demand for routine home inspections on real estate purchases. In 2008, the BLS predicted that employment in the home inspection field would grow by 17% between 2008 and 2018, due in part to the growing concern for quality and safety in home construction.

Continuing Education Information

For those wishing to further their college education, online building construction baccalaureate and master's degree programs are available online. These programs typically lead to a Bachelor of Science or a Master of Science in Construction Management.
In some areas, home inspectors can achieve voluntary Residential Building Inspector certification by passing an examination and meeting any other requirements specific to their region. In some states, continuing education is required to maintain licensure or certification in home inspection.