This program is offered in partnership with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades at various local training centers around the state.  Students must be currently working in a registered apprenticeship program in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. 

The apprenticeship program prepares the student to work as a journey-level Drywall Finisher, as well as earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Drywall Technology. A four-year apprenticeship emphasizes the skill set required to be a highly skilled craftsman. The Drywall Finisher finishes drywall surfaces by applying materials and sanding in preparation for final painting or treatment.

Program contact: Learn more

This degree program contains one or more embedded certificates which will be automatically awarded when the certificate requirements are completed. If you do not want to receive the embedded certificate(s), please notify the Office of the Registrar at RegistrarOffice@tri-c.edu.

Learn more about how certificate credits apply to the related degree.

Related Degrees and Certificates

Program Admission Requirements

  • High School Diploma/GED
  • Intent-to-hire agreement with participating contractor
  • Participant must be working in an apprenticeship in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

Next Steps to Apply

  • Individuals interested in this program/certificate must reach out to the training center of your choice listed at the bottom of the Drywall Finishing program page on the Tri-C website.
  • The union must select and admit you into the apprenticeship program first.  
  • Once accepted into the apprenticeship program, a Tri-C representative will work with you directly to enroll in the credit courses. Each of the classes will be held at your training center.

Program Learning Outcomes

This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

  1. Apply basic math concepts to accurately determine material and labor needs for a specific task.
  2. Apply fundamentals of workplace health and safety related to the construction site commensurate with state, federal, local, contractors and customer’s standards and policies.
  3. Identify and resolve unexpected issues that impede successful and timely completion of a specified task.
  4. Demonstrate effective listening, verbal, written, and conflict management skills to communicate accurately and respectfully with co-workers and customers.
  5. Apply finishing trade skills, techniques, and philosophies to complete the assigned task in an efficient, timely and professional manner.
  6. Use hand, spray, and automated trade related tools and materials (mud, tape, mesh) effectively to complete job with minimum waste, using health and safety standards.
  7. Use blueprints to verify materials and equipment needs to complete the job in a timely manner.

Suggested Semester Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredit Hours
ATDW-1310 Tools and Methods of Drywall Finishing 2
ATDW-1330 Materials and Methods of Drywall Finishing 2
ATPT-1300 Introduction to Painting, Drywall Finishing, and Glazing 2
ATPT-1320 Safety Standards for Construction (OSHA-10) 3
Any Approved Ohio Transfer 36 Mathematics course 1 3
Select one of the following: 3
College Composition I  
Honors College Composition I  
Select one of the following: 3
BADM-xxxx
Business Elective
 
CNST-xxxx
CNST Elective
 
 Credit Hours18
Second Semester
ATDW-1620 Taping Tools & Procedures 2
ATPT-1340 Wall Preparation and Repair 2
ATPT-1650 Blueprints I: Construction Fundamentals 2
Select one of the following: 3
BADM-xxxx
Business Elective
 
Construction Engineering Orientation  
Green Building & Sustainability I  
Select one of the following: 3
Computer Applications  
Honors Computer Applications  
Communication requirement 1 3
 Credit Hours15
Third Semester
ATDW-2350 Filling Compounds/Procedures 2
ATPT-2320 Safe Work Practices 3
Arts & Humanities requirement 3
Select one of the following: 2-3
BADM-xxxx
Business Elective
 
Construction Print Reading  
 Credit Hours10-11
Fourth Semester
AIT-2990 Contracting in a Diverse World 3
ATDW-2340 Texturing 2
ATPT-2340 Bluepints II: Advanced Reading and Estimating 2
ATPT-2360 Foreman Training 2
ATPT-xxxxATPT elective course 2
Social & Behavioral Sciences/Natural and Physical Sciences requirement 3
Select one of the following: 3
BADM-xxxx
Business Elective
 
CNST-xxxx
CNST Elective
 
 Credit Hours17
 Total Credit Hours60-61
1

MATH-1100 Mathematical Explorations or MATH-1240 Contemporary Mathematics taken prior to Fall 2024 will be accepted to meet mathematics requirement for this program.

2

ENG-2151 Technical Writing highly recommended. 

Electives

Technical Electives

Recommended courses fulfill ATPT elective requirements:

ATPT-1330Filling Compounds and Procedures2
ATPT-1620Wood Finishing2
ATPT-1630Color Mixing and Matching2
ATPT-2310Wall Covering & Paperhanging3
ATPT-2380Special Coating and Decorative Finishes2

Business & Supervision Electives 

Recommended courses to fulfill business electives

BADM-1020Introduction to Business3
BADM-1210Labor-Management Relations3
BADM-1122Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior3
BADM-1301Small Business Management3
BADM-2151Business Law3
BADM-2450New Business Development5

MATH-1140, MATH-1141, MATH-1200, MATH-1270, and MATH-1280 can no longer count towards fulfilling the college-level mathematics requirement.  These courses were re-classified as developmental mathematics by the state of Ohio in 2016.  Tri-C established a 5-year transitioning window for students who had completed these courses prior to 2016 to apply them towards meeting graduation requirements, which expired in Summer 2021. It is highly recommended to see a counselor to determine the appropriate math required for your current major.