Getting a Construction Management Degree
Construction management is in high demand. Those who have a bachelor’s or master’s degree are in high demand. These specialized degrees will give you the technical expertise needed to work with professionals such as architects and engineers. They also provide you with the managerial skills needed to supervise the talented tradespeople who do the actual construction work.
A typical curriculum for a construction degree begins with an exploratory core and then progresses to more specific construction courses that provide the necessary technical knowledge to construct a structure from the ground up. You can also study advanced engineering topics like structural analysis and modeling. Many programs provide the opportunity to gain experience through working with local businesses on real-world projects or taking part in design competitions for students.
In certain programs your senior year may involve collaborating with other students to develop, plan and present a project to a panel. This is a fantastic way to gain experience in the field and expand your network and often results in a pre-graduation offer.
You can also specialize in one specific area, such as green building or civil engineering and sustainability. The specialized programs can prepare you for jobs in research and development and design, or estimation and cost control. Doctorate degrees in construction are typically three to five years in length and require extensive research for the dissertation. Some programs offer teaching assistantships and graduate assistantships that can aid in paying for your tuition.