Best Online Construction Management Programs

What Else Can I Expect From an Online Construction Management Program?

Example Courses for an Online Construction Management Bachelor’s Program

• Introduction to the Construction Industry: This course, which is typically the first of a construction management degree online program, provides a general overview of the construction process. Students learn about industry standards and contracts, as well as procurement methods, terminology, and career paths a degree holder can take.

• Construction Materials and Methods: Students review the basic materials used in construction, learning about their properties, sizes, and uses. This online construction management degree course also looks at building methods, including analyzing methods for both structural and non-structural design. Topics include temporary structures, specialty trades, and construction equipment.

• Estimating and Bid Preparation: This course teaches learners about construction software and how to apply cost. Topics include the principles of contract bids, techniques in estimating cost, and the fundamentals of quantity take-off. Students leave the course with the ability to calculate and prepare an official bid document.

Example Courses for an Online Construction Management Master’s Program

• Construction Accounting and Finance: This accounting course provides a follow-up to the basic estimating courses offered in a construction management bachelor’s degree online program. In it, students study topics like cost control, financial statements, and job cost as it pertains to construction projects.

• Real Estate Analysis: This concentration course for students enrolled in a master’s in construction management online program covers such real estate topics as asset valuation and management, ownership structure, appraisal, and advanced financial modeling. Students also learn how to negotiate, manage a portfolio, and account for affordable housing.

• Sustainable Design: This online construction management degree course explores building sustainable structures, including those that account for energy efficiency and alternative energy. Online learners examine topics like Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED), carbon footprinting, and green building. They also study management issues related to cost and the cyclical process.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Construction Management Degree?

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.

Transferring to a Master’s Program With a Bachelor’s Degree

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.

Accreditation for Bachelor’s and Master’s Programs

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.

Financing Your Online Construction Management 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).

What Can I Do With a Construction Management Degree?

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.

Career Paths for Graduates of Construction Management Programs

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.