The construction industry is booming and those who hold an undergraduate or master’s degree in construction management are highly sought-after. These degrees are specialized and give you the technical expertise to work with design professionals like architects and engineers as well as the management skills to oversee the skilled tradesmen who perform the actual construction work.
A typical course in construction management begins with an exploratory education core, then moves on to more specific construction courses that provide the technical ability to build a structure from scratch. You may also be able to master advanced engineering subjects like structural analysis and modeling. Many programs allow students to gain experience through working with local companies on real projects or by participating in design competitions for students.
In certain programs, you’ll work with other students to develop, conceptualize and present a construction project to an audience of judges during your senior year. This is a fantastic way to broaden your professional network and gain experience. It can result in a job offer before graduation.
You can also decide to specialize in a particular area like civil engineering, green building, sustainability or construction and materials technology. The programs that specialize prepare you for careers in research and development and design, or estimation and cost control. Doctorate degrees in construction management are typically three to five years in length and contain a significant amount of research for your dissertation. Some programs offer teaching assistantships and graduate assistantships to aid in paying for your tuition.
