What do you learn in a bachelor's in construction management?

A bachelor's in construction management program can help prepare you for a leadership role in the construction industry, as it combines elements of engineering, business, and project coordination.

Learn about the curriculum and potential specializations within bachelor's in construction management programs, and find out what requirements you may need to meet to graduate.

What to expect from a construction management bachelor's program

A construction management bachelor's program can help you build a well-rounded education in preparation for overseeing construction projects efficiently. You'll learn how to blend technical expertise with project leadership so you can manage projects from start to finish. A graduate of the program should be able to handle budgets, schedules, and team members, ensuring that every project complies with quality and safety standards.

A typical program may need around 120 to 180 credit hours across major courses, general education, and electives. Tuition fees will vary by institution and whether the program is online or not.

Curriculum should include courses on project management, legal matters, and construction materials, and many programs may require you to complete a capstone project or take on an internship. This can give you hands-on experience and enable you to apply your skills in practical contexts.

Bachelor's in construction management curriculum

The typical curriculum for a bachelor's in construction management program focuses on helping you build an understanding of business principles, construction processes, and leadership skills. It aims to prepare you to manage a complex construction project as you combine your theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Some common courses in construction management bachelor's programs include:

• Construction materials and methods: In this course, you'll study the properties and applications of materials such as wood, concrete, or steel. You'll learn how to select materials based on durability, cost, or environmental impact, and your work could include a site visit to study how varying materials behave in different scenarios.
• Project scheduling and control: This course will give you skills to create project timelines and allocate resources so you can stick to deadlines. You'll also learn about key tools such as Microsoft Project and Gantt charts.
• Construction safety management: This course focuses on occupational safety regulations and risk assessment practices. You'll learn how to develop safety plans and what to do in the event of a workplace incident. Simulations show you real world safety challenges.
• Construction law and contracts: Here, you'll explore the legal aspects of construction, such as dispute resolution, contract law, or regulatory compliance. You'll also learn how to create and interpret contracts and understand legal terms, and you may use mock contract negotiations as a learning tool.

Specializations and concentrations

Some programs give you the flexibility to specialize. One common specialization is sustainable construction, where you will focus on environmentally conscious practices. You'll learn about minimizing environmental impact while remaining cost efficient, as well as the use of sustainable materials.

You can also specialize in residential construction and learn about the unique challenges of designing and managing a housing development.

Through specialization, you can align your education with the demands of an employer, industry trends, or your own personal passions.

Graduation requirements for a construction management bachelor's degree

If you want to earn a bachelor's degree in construction management, you may have to complete up to 180 credit hours that consist of the following:

• General education: These are courses in core subjects, like math and English, that most students have to take. The specific courses can vary by school and program. Some of them may be prerequisites for your core coursework, meaning you must pass them before you take your core major courses.
• Core courses: These are required courses in construction management that help you build the foundational knowledge you'll need, no matter your career or specialty in construction. Some of them may be prerequisites for your elective coursework, meaning you must pass them before you take your elective courses.
• Electives: These courses are usually upper-level, and you can tailor them based on your interests and career goals in construction management.
• Internship: You may need first-hand experience through an internship with a construction firm. If so, you'll learn how to apply classroom knowledge to a real-world scenario.
• Capstone project: Here, you'll need to develop a detailed project plan, including scheduling, budgeting, and common risk analysis. This project is often the culminating requirement.

Explore bachelor's degrees in construction management

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