The construction industry is flourishing, and those with degrees of master’s or bachelor’s in construction management are highly sought-after. These specialized degrees will give you the technical skills needed to collaborate with professionals like engineers and architects. They also provide you with the managerial skills necessary to supervise the talented tradespeople who do the actual construction work.
A typical course in construction management begins with an exploration beginning with the core. It then moves to more specific construction courses which teach the technical skills to build structures from the ground up. You can also study advanced engineering topics such as structural analysis and modeling. Many programs provide the opportunity to gain practical experience working with local employers in real-world projects, or participating in design competitions for students.
In certain programs, you’ll collaborate with other students to conceptualize, design and present a construction idea to the judges in your senior year. This is a great opportunity to broaden your professional network and gain experience. It can result in an offer of employment prior to graduation.
You may also choose to specialize in particular areas such as green building or civil engineering and sustainability. The programs that specialize prepare you for careers in research and development, design, or estimating and cost control. Doctorate degrees in construction are usually three to five years in length and contain extensive research for the dissertation. Some programs offer teaching assistantships as well as graduate assistantships which can assist you in paying for tuition.