Most Affordable Online Master's In Construction Management Degrees

Overview

The NewSchool of Architecture and Design in San Diego (not to be confused with the New School of Social Research in New York) offers an online Master of Science in Construction Management designed to prepare students for a wide variety of professions in the industry. Students can expect to receive preparation in business management as well as the construction management trade.

Features

NewSchool’s program has received recognition for excellence in the field. Its curriculum is designed to be comprehensive and to prepare students for any challenge they will face in their careers. Topics covered in coursework include

• Construction technology
• Technology and management
• Business planning
• Professional ethics
• Sustainable design

Notables

NewSchool’s program can be completed in as little as twelve months and can be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis. Stated outcomes of the program include the ability to develop the advanced planning, organization, integration, and execution skills needed for today’s commercial construction professional; evaluate the logistics underlying construction projects and devise strategies for managing these complexities; and develop the financial, managerial, and cognitive acumen of a construction industry leader.

Overview

University of Washington’s online Master of Science in Construction Management offers a particular focus on the heavy construction industry. It features an emphasis on the unique technical training and management strategies required for large-scale infrastructure projects. The program is designed for working professionals who are interested in growing their careers.

Features

Students will take a variety of both general construction management and heavy construction management, such as the following:

• Design & Construction Law
• Construction Procurement Systems
• Cost Analysis & Management
• Construction Materials
• Accounting & Finance for Construction

Notables

In addition to coursework, students will have opportunities to strengthen their professional networks and refine their practical skills. Students have access to the same faculty on-campus students do, and the curriculum has been developed according to the same standards as the on-campus program. Graduates of Washington’s program will graduate with a world-class education that will further their construction management careers.

Overview

Central Connecticut’s online master’s in construction management seeks to prepare students with the skills necessary for both operating existing construction companies and also developing their own. The program places an emphasis on general business skills, such as financial operations, construction law, risk management, and project delivery. The program also allows room for students to specialize in a particular area of interest, such as technology or management.

Features

The core curriculum in CCSU’s program involves a number of courses in both construction and management, including

• Project delivery systems
• Construction law
• Risk management
• Financial management
• Research methods

Notables

The program requires a total of 33 credit hours and can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. Particular skills students can expect to develop include the ability to analyze a financial balance sheet for a construction company; analyze an annual income statement for a construction company; perform a construction project risk assessment; evaluate bond and insurance proposals for both construction companies and projects; analyze a basic construction contract and be able to assess it against other contracts; and much more.

Overview

The University of Florida, the flagship campus of the University of Florida system, offers two program options for students interested in Construction Management: a Master of Science for those who complete a thesis and a Master of Construction Management who opt to not write a thesis. In addition to these two options, the program also offers an option to specialize in Sustainable Construction.

Features

Students in either program will be exposed to a wide variety of coursework, including multiple elective options beyond the required curriculum. Examples of available courses include

• Construction Methods Improvement
• Advanced Issues in Construction Safety and Health
• Building Integrated Renewable Energy
• Principles of Sustainable Development and Construction
• Construction Information Systems

Notables

Students who are interested in the major in Sustainable Construction will develop the skills needed to design and construct green, energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy systems, and efficient infrastructure. The objectives of the major are to address issues of resource efficiency, waste, human health, ecological economics, ethics, environmental justice, and industrial ecology; explore alternative practices that can significantly reduce the environmental impacts of the built environment; and consider past and present thinking by leading theorists and practitioners in this newly emerging discipline.

Overview

Western Carolina University offers an online Master of Construction management designed primarily for working professionals in commercial and industrial construction looking to advance their careers in the construction industry. It will also appeal to students who are involved in large-scale residential development or land management. The degree program requires 30 semester hours and can be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis.

Features

The program includes 18 core requirements and 12 elective hours. Courses in the core curriculum include

• Advanced Construction Finance
• Sustainability in Construction
• Advanced Legal Issues in Construction
• Leadership in Construction Management
• Computer Applications in Construction

Notables

Western Carolina includes more flexibility in its curriculum than many schools on our list. Students have more hours available to specialize in particular areas of interest. Examples of elective topics include construction estimating, construction scheduling, advanced materials and methods, construction operations and safety, advanced topics in construction, construction forensics, land development, project management, project planning, and more.

Overview

New York University, a pillar of higher education in America that also offers a wide array of nontraditional degrees for adults and lifetime learners, offers an online Master of Science in Construction Management that is designed to prepare students to lead both large construction projects and construction businesses. Students will acquire the technical proficiency, financial knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and business acumen necessary to thrive in this high-stakes profession.

Features

NYU’s curriculum prepares students to master the many skills required for construction management, including

• Estimating
• Cost control
• Risk
• New technologies
• Project planning
• Scheduling
• Negotiation
• Labor relations

Notables

Students will also learn how to manage the various types of contractual relationships governing the owner, the contractor, subcontractors, consultants, and architects, as well as the essential skills of bidding, negotiating, handling disputes and claims, devising and implementing strategic business plans, and leadership. Under the guidance of a distinguished faculty of prominent professionals in the real estate industry, students acquire knowledge of cutting-edge trends in real estate finance, real estate law, real estate economics and market analysis, as well as key aspects of the real estate development process, and asset and portfolio management.

Overview

Cal State East Bay offers an online Master of Science in Construction Management through its Department of Engineering. This degree is interdisciplinary in nature and designed for working professionals who are in leadership or management positions in the construction industry or planning to advance their careers to manage large construction projects. Students in the program will be prepared to manage both public and private large-scale construction projects.

Features

Students will have exposure to a wide range of issues through both general and elective coursework, including

• Legal and environmental issues in construction
• Project planning and control
• Cost estimating
• Financial and risk management
• Construction management
• Engineering
• Business

Notables

Cal State East Bay’s program prides itself on being both flexible and well balanced. Students will be prepared with both specific construction skills and also business management expertise. It is specifically well suited for students who are currently working professionals in search of additional skills to further their careers. It is also an excellent program for those who are interested in large-scale transportation infrastructure projects, such as those being initiated in the state of California.

Overview

Stevens, no stranger to rankings of online programs in engineering and technology, offers an online Master of Science in Construction Management designed to prepare students to lead large-scale projects with cutting-edge technological skills and theoretical knowledge. Stevens’s program focuses on the skills needed to manage the largest-scale construction projects imaginable, making it an excellent choice for particularly ambitious students.

Features

Stevens prepares students not only in large-scale construction skills but also for the requirements of corporate business and management. Examples of coursework include

• Computer Applications in the Construction Process
• Advanced Project Controls in the Built Environment
• Construction Safety Management

Notables

Stevens in located only a few miles from downtown Manhattan, one of the global epicenters of not only large-scale construction but urban construction, which has its own unique needs and considerations. Students will benefit from Stevens’s proximity to this hub of activity. The program is offered full time and part time and is also available fully online or on campus.

Overview

Southern New Hampshire University, which has made an aggressive move into online higher education in recent years to great success, offers an online Master of Science in Management with an available concentration in Construction Management. SNHU’s program guides students in a number of considerations unique to the construction management industry, such as technological advancements, worker safety, materials regulations, and environmental protection.

Features

Graduates of SNHU’s program boast a variety of job titles in the industry, including but not limited to

• Business development manager
• Construction manager
• Construction superintendent
• Estimator
• General contractor
• Project executive
• Project manager
• Project superintendent
• Scheduler

Notables

SNHU’s program focuses particularly on the planning and management aspects of construction. Students learn the tools, practices and strategies of construction management, including the relationship between estimating and budgeting for projects, and materials and methods. Students will also be prepared to deal with quality control, equipment management, construction law, contracts, risk management, and decision making.

Overview

University of Wisconsin Stout, part of the University of Wisconsin system, offers a number of online programs including a Master of Science in Construction Management. Students will cover a number of topics in the industry, such as sustainable construction, project planning, risk management, and hazard management. Students will learn to employ scientific theory, research, applied learning, and budgeting strategies to solve real-world problems and excel in this industry.

Features

In addition to developing critical thinking, creative, and problem solving skills, graduates of the program will be prepared with the expertise necessary to oversee large-scale projects in the following arenas:

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Municipal
• Civil

Notables

In addition to the above, students will also develop facility in effective oral and written communications through the use of information and communication technology; principles of leadership in business and management, including advanced construction management practices, complex project decision-making and associated risk management; and professional ethics including application to construction situations and choices. Graduates can expect to be prepared for middle- to senior-level management.

Overview

The University of Illinois offers several options for students interested in construction management through its online Master of Science in Civil Engineering. For students who are interested in a fully online program, Illinois offers an non-thesis option. For students who are able to take some classes on campus, Illinois offers non-thesis and thesis options. In both cases, students can concentrate specifically in Construction Management or in Infrastructure, Transportation Engineering, or Structural Engineering.

Features

With four concentrations available, Illinois offers perhaps the widest variety of courses among the programs on our ranking, including

• Construction Planning
• Construction Equipment and Methods
• Visual Sensing for Civil Infrastructure Engineering & Management
• Structural Dynamics
• Probabilistic Loads and Design
• Computational Geomechanics

Notables

While Illinois’s program requires a standard 36 credit hours for completion, students have up to five years to complete their degree. Twelve of the 36 credit hours must be completed at the 500 level or higher. Beyond these requirements, students enjoy considerable flexibility in pursuing their particular areas of interest. Graduates of Illinois programs have enjoyed excellent placement success in a number of roles in the industry.

Overview

East Carolina University has increased its online degree offerings considerably in recent years, and this includes an online Master of Construction Management designed to prepare students for the demands of a long-term career in the field. Students can enter the program with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management or with equivalent experience, such as a midcareer professional. Recent graduates will benefit from the advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to distinguish themselves in a highly competitive field.

Features

ECU seeks to prepare students in its program with the skills and considerations needed to meet actual, on-the-ground needs, such as

• Risk management
• Advanced scheduling and estimating techniques,
• Sustainable construction
• Productivity
• Quality
• Profitability
• Best practices

Notables

In addition to topics specific to construction management, students in ECU’s program will benefit from exposure to related expertise in areas such as civil engineering, architecture, real estate, business, finance, management, marketing, and accounting. Undergraduates with majors in construction management must complete 30 credit hours to receive their degree. Students with majors in related disciplines must complete prerequisite coursework in Construction Documents and Analysis, Materials and Methods, Equipment Management, Safety, Estimating, and Scheduling.

Overview

Virginia Tech offers two options for students interested in online graduate education in construction management through its Myers-Lawson School of Construction: a Master of Science in Building Construction and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering. The MSBC offers the opportunity for advanced study and research in specialized areas related to building design, construction, and operations. The MSCE is designed to prepare students for an advanced degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in construction engineering and management.

Features

Virginia Tech’s program is highly interdisciplinary in nature, and the department also features a PhD degree for those interested in the theoretical issues of construction engineering. Examples of coursework in the program include

• Cost Management of the Building Process
• Innovation in Construction
• Sustainable Facility Systems
• Sustainable Infrastructure Systems
• Advanced Fundamentals of Construction Mangement

Notables

Graduates of Virginia Tech’s program will have mastered the technical, managerial, and business knowledge necessary to excel in construction operations. They will also develop consideration for safety, efficiency, effectiveness, environmental concerns, and social awareness. Technical, material, financial, and human resource considerations are also areas graduates will be well versed in. Students will also benefit from related coursework in the Pamplin College of Business.

Overview

The Milwaukee School of Engineering offers many online programs in engineering and technology, and students interested in construction management will benefit from its online Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCVE) program. The program offers concentrations in construction management, environmental and water resources engineering, and structural engineering. The program was designed to address the new civil engineering Body of Knowledge requirements for graduate programs developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Features

Students in the construction management concentration as MSOE will take a series of courses specific to their area of study, including

• Project Acquisitions and Business Development
• Construction Operations and Management Strategies
• Construction Data and Information Management
• Sustainable Built Environment
• Lean Construction and Resource Management

Notables

At 45 credits required for graduation, MSOE’s program requires more coursework than many programs on our list. However, completion of MSOE’s program satisfies the requirements of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. It is designed for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree from an ABET-accredited civil engineering program but is open to students from related backgrounds who are willing to complete prerequisites. The program concludes with a capstone project tailored to each student’s career objectives.

Overview

Norwich University’s online Master of Civil Engineering program seeks to prepare working adults who may currently work as professional engineers or in engineering-related fields with the relevant skills, knowledge, and experience needed to assume leadership positions within their organizations or to run their own companies. The program features a particular focus on large-scale infrastructure projects in addition to general preparation in the built environment.

Features

Norwich’s challenging program combines both technical and business preparation through its coursework. Students also choose one of four technical tracks of focus for their program depending on their interests and objectives:

• Structural Engineering
• Environmental/Water Resources Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Construction Management

Notables

Graduates will be prepared to not only analyze and design a breadth of structural and environmental systems but also navigate the management-related issues that arise during a project. Faculty members strive to create one of the best civil engineering colleges online, and bring vast field and research experience into the virtual classroom, illustrating concepts with real-world examples and engaging students in discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing today’s civil engineers.

Overview

In Purdue University’s online Master of Science in Construction Management, students have access not only to an excellent technical education but also the reputation of one of the best schools in the country. Students can truly set themselves apart with an advanced degree from Purdue and will have access to some of the best minds in the industry. Students also benefit from Purdue’s emphasis on teamwork and cohort-based learning.

Features

Coursework in Purdue’s program is administered through advanced learning software that includes video and real-time discussions. Core coursework in Purdue’s program includes the following classes:

• Construction Accounting and Financial Management
• Construction Operations and Strategic Management
• Academic Writing
• Analysis of Research in Construction
• Construction Leadership and Marketing
• Capstone Journal Paper
• Law for Construction Managers

Notables

Purdue’s program is cohort-based, which means that each annual cohort starts in mid-August with an intensive, three-day session on Purdue’s campus. Students will acquire training not only in construction operations but also in company-level management. The program also prepares students in issues of sustainability and emerging management techniques. Graduates of Purdue’s program enjoy excellent placement records and high demand in the industry.

Overview

The Master of Science in Construction Management offered through Philadelphia University and Thomas Jefferson University is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to plan and manage each phase of the construction process for commercial, infrastructure, and residential building projects. The mission of the program is to provide students with a broad practice-oriented understanding of construction technology, business, architecture, and engineering. Students are prepared to lead projects from start to finish.

Features

Courses in the program prepare students in construction, leadership, finance, and human resources. The program emphasizes a number of important considerations in the industry, including

• Sustainability
• Materials and methods
• Business ethics
• Technology
• Safety

Notables

Graduates of this program will develop an appreciation for quality in construction management, which will serve them well as professional managers, contractors, and business owners. Philadelphia’s program is also committed to sustainability in the industry, even as demand for construction managers increases. Students benefit from exposure to industry veterans, who have extensive experience in advanced problem-solving techniques.

Overview

Wentworth’s online Master of Science in Construction Management is geared toward working professionals who wish to advance their career through post-graduate study in construction management principles. Wentworth’s program is a part-time program accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) and is designed to give students a strong understanding of construction management concepts. It can be completed entirely online, on campus, or a combination of both.

Features

Wentworth graduates are equipped with a wide range of practical skills in construction management, such as

• Leadership
• Business management
• Technological applications
• Sustainability
• Human resources

Notables

Graduates of Wentworth’s program will be prepared to work for a variety of employers, including but not limited to general contractors, real-estate developers, sub-contractors, construction management and architectural/engineering firms, as well as advanced education and teaching options. Most students complete the program in two years and enjoy great placement success.

Overview

The reputable University of Oklahoma, which boasts excellent programs in a wide variety of disciplines in both the arts and sciences both online and on campus, offers an online Master’s degree in Construction Management designed to build on experience that construction undergraduates typically gain and add construction education to other areas. In addition to traditional lectures, students also benefit from interviews, case studies, individual and team projects, exposure to software training, and interaction with industry professionals.

Features

Students are prepared not only in construction techniques but also in business management. Core coursework in Oklahoma’s program includes

• Construction Fundamentals I
• Construction Fundamentals II
• Legal Issues in Construction
• Emerging Trends in Building Processes

Notables

Among the many skills students will acquire in Oklahoma’s program are reading and understanding construction plans and specifications; implementing cost estimating techniques; and developing and manipulating project schedules. They will also become familiar with the basic foundations of project management and control mechanisms as well as the terms, vocabulary, and paperwork utilized in the construction industry. Dispute resolution and sustainability are also covered in the program.

Overview

Houston’s Master’s in Construction Management equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful leadership positions in the construction industry. The curriculum focuses on both fundamental knowledge and advanced topics. Programs are available to meet the unique needs and demands of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, international students, and U.S. students located overseas.

Features

Houston’s program is a comprehensive one that focuses on construction expertise, business, leadership, and sustainability. Topics covered in coursework include

• Estimating
• Scheduling
• Contracting
• Project management
• Risk analysis
• Computer applications in construction
• Sustainability and green construction

Notables

Houston’s program requires 31 semester hours. Prior to progressing to advanced skills courses, all applicants are required to take fundamental courses in estimating, scheduling, and contract administration. Students who are entering from a non–construction management background can be considered for the program but will need to consult with the program director regarding what if any prerequisites will be required for admission to the degree.

Overview

The State University of New York, or SUNY, is a well-respected state university system, and it offers two different options for students interested in online graduate education in construction management: a Master of Science and a Master of Professional Studies in either Construction Management or Sustainable Construction. Both degrees encourage students to consider the broad environmental implications of the construction process, to be efficient and environmentally responsible in their use of materials, and to integrate current technology.

Features

Students in both programs are exposed to a wide array of issues and challenges in the construction management profession, including but not limited to

• Construction project management
• Estimating
• Cost engineering
• Building codes and zoning
• Production management
• Computer graphics
• Computer applications in construction

Notables

The degree in construction management will appeal to students who plan to specialize in construction management. Undergraduate degrees in architecture, mechanical engineering, construction management, and civil engineering are particularly helpful for this degree. The sustainable construction option is for students interested in sustainable construction practices, including topics such as energy use in buildings, material use in sustainable construction, life cycle analysis, environmental rating systems, and environmental performance measures. A background in science is particularly helpful.

Overview

Roger Williams’s online Master of Science in Construction Management builds on the resources of its ACCE-accredited undergraduate Construction Management program as well as extensive interaction with the construction industry’s most vibrant companies. The program requires 30 credit hours and can be completed in as little as one year for qualified students. The program is designed for both recent undergraduates and working professionals in related fields and can be completed entirely online or on campus.

Features

Coursework in the program covers construction skills, business management, and sustainability through courses such as the following:

• Modeling and Simulation Techniques for Construction Management
• Construction Business Management Development
• Sustainable Construction
• Construction Organizational Control and Logistics

Notables

Graduates of Roger Williams’s program will be well prepared to face any challenge in the construction management industry. They will develop expertise in financial and planning for complex construction projects; optimizing change in the global marketplace; managing interdisciplinary teams; and research and problem-solving skills appropriate for executive level construction management responsibilities.

Overview

Florida International University will be familiar to those who read rankings of online program in higher education. It is a major player in the industry, and its online Master of Science in Construction Management is no exception. The program is offered through FIU’s Moss School of Construction, Infrastructure, and Sustainability, which is committed to being the preeminent center for the advancement and dissemination of construction knowledge. The school is dedicated to expansion, excellent teaching, promoting public and university service, discovering new knowledge and solving problems through research, and fostering creativity.

Features

Students in FIU’s program will take courses in construction, sustainability, technology, business, and more. They are expected to possess competency in a number of areas, including

• Construction drawings
• Construction materials and methods
• Construction accounting and finance
• Economic planning
• Structures
• Site work
• Cost estimating
• Construction scheduling
• Business management/finance

Notables

The primary goal of FIU’s program is to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for middle to upper-level management positions in the construction industry, where graduate training is increasingly expected. Students have the option of completing their education entirely online, on campus, or a combination of both. Students should hold a bachelor’s degree in the field or its equivalent; if not, they will be required to complete prerequisites. Students have the option of completing their program with or without a thesis.

Overview

Lawrence Technological University offers an online Master of Construction Engineering Management designed to prepare students for as many challenges as possible in a highly demanding, complex, and fast-paced profession. It is an outcome-focused program that focuses on the exact needs of the individual who is responsible for carrying out the plans of architects and engineers. The program is offered as a joint effort between the College of Engineering and the College of Management.

Features

The curriculum includes both business and legal training and reflects a growing trend to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and create new areas of specialization. Examples of courses include

• Sustainable Construction Practices
• Principles of Design-Build Project Delivery
• Techniques of Project Planning and Control
• Fundamentals of Construction Accounting and Finance
• Construction Law

Notables

Students will graduate with the ability to face a number of challenges in the industry, from bridges and highways to airports and power plants. They will be able to contribute problem-solving skills to planning, designing, and constructing the modern infrastructures on which society depends. Efficiency and effectiveness mark the careers of Lawrence Tech grads, and they are in high demand as leaders in their field.

Overview

University of Texas at El Paso, part of the sprawling University of Texas system, offers an entirely online Master’s in Construction Management through its College of Engineering. It is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in engineering, architecture, business, and related fields, and it is geared toward preparing graduates for both career advancement and professional certification. It is one of the more affordable programs on our list, making it very appealing to cost-conscious students.

Features

Graduates of UTEP’s program boast a wide range of skills and expertise in the construction management field and have pursued careers in a number of capacities, including

• BIM specialist
• Estimator
• Project engineer
• Project manager
• Quality control manager
• Safety manager
• Scheduler

Notables

Students will develop the ability to lead teams, manage complex projects, and thrive in a global marketplace. UTEP’s program will be particularly appealing to those who may already be working in engineering, architecture, management or related fields and are looking to add to their credentials and learn how to confidently handle projects of all sizes. A graduate degree from UTEP can be a major asset in becoming an industry leader, overseeing complex projects, managing processes and logistics, estimating and maintaining budgets, and collaborating with stakeholders.