Best Online Construction Management Programs

Those in construction management typically hold a bachelor’s degree, which is 120 credits and takes an average of four years to complete. In addition to what students learn in school, they also gain valuable training on the job. According to the BLS, most firms prefer to hire individuals who hold real-world experience.

Program length of an undergraduate online construction management degree varies. While full-time students with no transfer credits can graduate in four years, part-time students may take up to six. Meanwhile, master’s in construction management online students usually spend two years earning their credentials. Master’s programs generally require 30-36 credits.

Program lengths vary depending on transfer credit, start dates, and learning format. If competency-based or self-paced, a student can move through course material at a quicker pace. With a cohort, however, a student stays with the same group through graduation. Programs with more than three start dates per year can also affect how long it takes a student to complete program requirements. Some schools, for example, offer five or six terms a year.

The projected 5% growth for construction managers, according to the BLS, will increasingly include jobs where firms are looking for individuals with specialized education and who can help immediately with complex projects. There are more than 100 colleges and universities that offer an accredited bachelor’s degree in a construction-related major. While there are fewer institutions that offer a master’s in construction management today, look for this number to grow over the next decade as well.

Given this, a student with an online construction management degree should look at pursuing a master’s in construction management online. While it typically takes an additional two years of schooling, the career benefits may well be worth it. Many firms look for relevant experience, and in a master’s program, one can choose to focus on an area of emphasis, like real estate development or sustainability, which would stand out to a hiring company. The median salary for construction managers is $104,900.

Those looking at online construction management degrees and schools should always check for accreditation. Accreditation provides prospective students with the assurance that a school or program meets or exceeds established standards of quality. Independent agencies, some recognized by ED and some not, grant accreditation following a voluntary evaluation by the school or department.

There are two types of institutional accreditation: national and regional. Six recognized accreditors (MSCHE, NEASC, HLC, NCCU, SACS, and WASC) grant regional accreditation across the nation and for several American territories. National accreditors, which are not all recognized by ED, typically evaluate for-profit and technical or vocational schools.

To qualify for federal financial aid and in many instances, to transfer course credit, you must attend a regionally accredited school or enroll in a recognized program.

Students looking for ways to finance their online construction management degree should start by making sure they get their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submitted on time. This application will check your eligibility for scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loans. A FAFSA is a requirement to qualify for many private-sector financial awards as well. Be sure to research scholarships, contests, and other programs at the local, state, and national levels, and look for offers from your industry’s professional organizations. Construction students should check out offers from the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), the American Institute for Constructors (AIC), and the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Today, one needs a bachelor’s degree in construction management to enter the field. While less common, holding a master’s degree in construction management will help you stand out in a competitive market, as an advanced degree allows you to specialize in an area like real estate development, building and design, or architectural engineering. The BLS notes the top industries for construction managers are heavy and civil engineering construction, residential and nonresidential building construction, and specialty trade contractors.

Holding a construction management master’s or bachelor’s degree prepares you for career paths in design and project management. All fields look for individuals with not only educational credentials and relevant experience but also the soft skills that make them promising team leaders. Construction managers tend to possess analytical skills, business skills, and initiative, along with technical, speaking, and time-management skills. What’s more, many construction managers work for themselves, meaning they rely solely on themselves to land a job, negotiate a bid, and oversee a project. The BLS reports that, 39% of construction managers were self-employed.