Construction management is in high demand. Those who hold a master’s or bachelor’s degree are highly sought-after. These specialized degrees will give you the knowledge needed to work with professionals such as engineers and architects. They also equip you with the managerial skills necessary to supervise the skilled tradespeople who actually do the construction work.
A typical construction degree curriculum begins with an exploratory core and then moves onto more specific construction courses to give you the technical skills needed to build a building from the ground up. You may also learn advanced engineering subjects like modeling and analysis of structural elements. Many programs also offer opportunities to gain hands-on experience by working on real projects with local companies or taking part in a design competition for students.
In some programs your senior year will involve collaborating with other students to think up, plan and present a plan before a panel. This is an excellent way to gain professional experience and expand your network and often results in a pre-graduation employment offer.
You can also opt to specialize in a certain area such as civil engineering, green building, sustainability, or construction and materials technology. The specialized programs prepare you for jobs in research and development design, estimation, and cost control. Doctoral degrees in construction management typically last three to five years long and comprise a substantial amount of research for your dissertation. Some programs offer teaching assistantships as well as graduate assistantships which can aid in paying for tuition.