A master in construction management program aims to provide you with the tools and capability to efficiently manage a construction business or project. The program has been designed to provide you with the financial knowledge, technical proficiency, management techniques and entrepreneurial skills needed to efficiently work in the construction sector in this ever-changing global market.
An assortment of universities and colleges offer a master's in construction management degree program across the United States. You may choose to complete a master's degree in construction management program online, on-campus or as a hybrid degree program. This choice relies on the university or college you get enrolled in.
Academic Prerequisites
If you choose to pursue a traditional or online masters in construction management program, the university or college you are applying to may ask you to fulfill certain requirements. These requirements may vary from university to university, but common prerequisites may include:
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A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
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Students who have studied courses such as statistics and capital management may be given preference during the admission process
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An acceptable GPA
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Official transcripts of previous institutions attended
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Acceptable GRE or GMAT test scores
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Proof of proficiency in English language, in some cases
An applicant with professional experience in the field may be given preference during the admission process, although professional experience may not be a prerequisite.
Curriculum and Coursework
The curriculum of a bachelor's in construction management degree program focuses on various educational areas to provide the students with necessary tools that he or she may need to efficiently manage a construction project. These may include the related technologies, estimation, project planning, cost control, negotiation, risk, labor relations and scheduling etc.
The coursework is designed to enhance and train the students by providing them with several skills, such as dispute management, bidding techniques, handling claims, innovating and implementing strategies, and negotiating techniques. Courses may vary across programs, but the core curriculum may include the following:
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The construction process
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Project management
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Construction technology and methods
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Legal practices and principles
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Construction cost and financial control
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Construction safety management
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Managing and operating a construction firm
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Construction scheduling
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Dispute resolution and negotiations
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Labor relations
Certifications
Acquiring a certification is not mandatory, but it may display competency and professionalism. Various organizations in the US award certifications to aspiring professionals in this field; for instance, the American Institute of Constructors that confers the Certified Professional Constructor and the Associate Constructor designation to candidates who fulfill the specified requirements. In addition, the Construction Management Association of America confers the Certified Construction Manager designation after the candidate fulfills the body's criteria, which includes rigorous examination and professional experience requirements etc.
Career Prospects and Job Outlook
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary of construction managers was $ 82,790 per year in 2012. BLS also projected that the number of people working as construction managers would increase by 16 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is faster than the average of all occupations. A master in construction management degree may increase job prospects as it demonstrates that the candidate possesses in-depth knowledge in the field of construction management.