2021 Construction Management Degree Guide
Do you love building things? Do you have a vision for the big picture and the ability to manage all the parts that make your vision a reality? Construction Management may be a field of interest to you.
Constructing a building takes planning, specialized knowledge and skills in management. Many things can go wrong, and many unplanned complications can occur. This is what makes Construction Managers so essential. They handle everything, from managing the crew, reading blueprints, and meeting deadlines. Students who pursue a major in Construction Management will learn how to schedule, supervise, and budget various projects.
While focusing on this major you will be taking classes in architecture, civil engineering, blueprint reading, real estate, and engineering technology. The major is available as either an Associates of a Bachelor's degree. Students with prior work experience may only need to obtain their Associates, however Bachelor's degrees tend to lend themselves to higher paying positions with more responsibility.
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A Spike in Construction Management Degrees
Construction Management was the 153rd most popular major in the 2018-2019 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 3,664 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 7.9% increase in construction management degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 3,375.
Approximately 108 colleges in the U.S. offer a construction management degree of some kind. This year's Best Colleges for Construction Management ranking compares 38 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of construction management programs later in this article.
What Are The Requirements For a Degree in Construction Management
Construction Management can be a very exciting field, as every project consists of building something new. Mathematical and Scientific skills are needed in order to be successful within this field. You will be working with budgets, time estimations and multiple schedules; keeping everything going requires time management and the ability to multitask.
Prior work experience is highly regarded in this field. You may wish to find a part time job doing construction to get hands-on experience in the field. You can also seek internships while in college in order to gain experience and better understanding of construction.
Getting Accepted Into a Construction Management Program
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most construction management degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific construction management careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Construction Management Degree Types
There are many different construction management degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a research / scholarship based doctorate's in construction management to something that takes less time like a associate's. Depending on the construction management degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to construction management, with approximately 76.0% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for construction management workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 76.0% |
| Some College Courses | 12.0% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 4.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 4.0% |
About 80.0% of workers in careers related to construction management obtain at least bachelor's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in construction management have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the construction management career you are seeking.
Construction Management Careers
A degree in Construction Management can lead to many different career options. One quickly growing job field is that of a Construction and Building Inspector. In this job you will make sure that all construction, repairs and changes to locations are legal and comply with codes.
Some graduates are interested in pursuing work as Drafter, converting designs made by engineers and architects into technical drawings and plans. Other options include becoming construction managers, electricians, architects, and property managers.
Solid Growth Projected for Construction Management Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your construction management degree? Construction Management careers are expected to grow 11.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to construction management.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Managers | 448,600 | 11.1% |
How Much Money Do People With a Construction Management Degree Make?
Recently graduated construction management students earned an average of $62,233 in 2017-2018. Earnings can range from as low as $48,900 to as high as $107,800. As you might expect, salaries for construction management graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
High Paying Careers for Construction Management Majors
Salaries for construction management graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top 5 highest paying careers construction management grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Construction Managers | $103,110 |
Getting Your Construction Management Degree
With over 239 different construction management degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased construction management school rankings to help you with this.
Majors Related to Construction Management
Construction Management is one of 21 different types of Business, Management & Marketing programs to choose from.
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration & Management | 410,147 |
| Accounting | 105,123 |
| General Business/Commerce | 58,451 |
| Finance & Financial Management | 56,186 |
| Marketing | 51,241 |
View All Construction Management Related Majors >
References
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