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Dr. Kristen Parrish is an associate professor and graduate program chair for the construction management and technology degrees in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, one of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University.
Dr. Parrish’s expertise is in energy-efficient building design and construction. In particular, she explores how non-technological barriers to energy efficiency influence design and construction processes and develops novel approaches to address these barriers. Her work also explores the planning and delivery processes for capital projects. She has co-developed several tools that assist capital project teams in planning and has supported efforts to integrate energy efficiency into design standards and guidelines at ASU and other institutions. Finally, her work explores how to create more inclusive classrooms and cultures for engineering and science at ASU and beyond.
Dr. Parrish is the associate director of the RISE (Research in Inclusive STEM Education) Center at ASU and a member of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering Inclusion Faculty Advisory Council (IFAC). She is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, and the American Society for Engineering Education.
Online Engineering Programs: What is something you wish the public understood about construction management?
Dr. Parrish: Construction management (CM) is an exciting, vibrant, and highly technical profession! All of those adjectives and nouns are important, so I’ll delve a little deeper on each:
Picture a woman in an OSHA-approved pantsuit and boots getting out of her truck and putting on a hard hat to talk to a female superintendent about the progress on a site. Then maybe the client needs to do a photo shoot over the weekend, so those two women figure out a way to host a class full of elementary school students on the site safely and in a way that engages the students’ creativity and innate interests in building. A year later, those women can drive by that same site and tell their families, “I built that.” That’s construction management.
Online Engineering Programs: What advice would you give to new and aspiring construction managers?
Dr. Parrish: Aspiring CM students and professionals: We’d love to have you in our program! This is a great profession; I’d be happy to speak to you and your family about all of the wonderful opportunities this career and degree program have to offer, both professionally and financially.
New CM students: I promise you’ll use the math, science, and vocabulary we teach in earlier courses in your career!
New CM professionals: Go to construction sites as often as possible and watch what each crew is doing. Pay attention to how they work together to finish a task and see if you can find ways to make their job easier.
Online Engineering Programs: What does the future of construction management look like to you?
Dr. Parrish: An industry that is more diverse in every way, that delivers buildings, critical utility services, and connections between them in harmony with the natural environment.
For self-starting learners, enrolling in an online program in construction management offers various advantages. For one, these program formats allow students to complete degree programs at a distance at distinguished institutions. The ability to study without relocating is ideal for those who seek a top-notch education without geographical constraints.
Additionally, students interested in studying construction management may have family commitments or full-time jobs that prevent them from moving to the city where a university is located.
Of course, completing an online degree is not appropriate for everyone. Students who require in-person accountability or abundant peer interactions may prefer an on-campus construction management degree.
Speaking with program advisors about the program formatting and what to expect can behoove prospective students prior to enrolling.
| School | City | State | Website | Undergrad | Graduate | Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baton Rouge |
LA | www.lsu.edu | 292 | |||
Boston |
MA | wit.edu | 120 | |||
Clemson |
SC | www.clemson.edu | 82 | |||
Boca Raton |
FL | www.evergladesuniversity.edu | 71 | |||
Menomonie |
WI | www.uwstout.edu | 67 | |||
Visalia |
CA | www.sjvc.edu | 55 | |||
Philadelphia |
PA | www.drexel.edu | 41 | |||
Highland Heights |
KY | www.nku.edu | 41 | |||
Terre Haute |
IN | www.indstate.edu | 39 | |||
El Paso |
TX | www.utep.edu | 34 | |||
Norman |
OK | www.ou.edu | 32 | |||
Los Angeles |
CA | www.usc.edu | 28 | |||
San Diego |
CA | www.newschoolarch.edu | 26 | |||
Hoboken |
NJ | www.stevens.edu | 22 | |||
Scottsdale |
AZ | www.asu.edu | 16 | |||
Pueblo |
CO | www.csupueblo.edu | 11 | |||
Baltimore |
MD | www.bccc.edu | 8 | |||
La Jolla |
CA | www.nu.edu | 5 | |||
Virginia |
MN | www.mesabirange.edu | 2 | |||
Centralia |
IL | www.kaskaskia.edu | 1 | |||
Parkville |
MO | www.park.edu | 1 |
The University of Southern California, Viterbi School of Engineering
The University of Southern California offers an online master’s degree in construction management that trains students in technical and non-technical aspects of construction. The program combines several disciplines such as architecture, law, business, policy, and planning and development.
Applicants to the program must have a bachelor's degree in business or engineering from an accredited institution and a satisfactory grade point average. Application requirements include transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, a current resume, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. TOEFL or IELTS test scores are required of international students whose first language is not English. GMAT or GRE scores are not required for 2024.
The 32-credit program covers theory and best practices in the real estate and construction industry. There is a special focus on the constructor's function in real estate. Some courses included sustainable design and construction; building information modeling and integrated practice; construction planning and preconstruction; project controls; and construction accounting, finance, and strategy.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates may be qualified to work in various roles such as real estate developers, general contractors, construction managers, and sub-contractors. They can pursue opportunities in construction management, architectural engineering, real estate, project management, and design management.
Arizona State University, Del E. Webb School of Construction
This online master of science in construction management program equips students with advanced management, technical, and applied research skills that are highly in demand in the construction industry. The 30-credit program offers specializations in construction management and facility management.
Admission requirements for the program include a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Application requirements include a completed application, official transcripts, a current resume, a personal statement, and proof of English language proficiency for students whose native language is not English.
As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as facilities operations and maintenance; facilities project management; construction project management; construction productivity; construction company financial control; and trenchless construction methods.
The program prepares students for diverse careers within the construction industry, working on maintenance, renovation, project management, and company management. Some of the roles they can take up include construction managers, construction laborers, building inspectors, and supervisors.
Louisiana State University’s online master of science (MS) in construction management program is an advanced degree providing insights into leadership, business management, and construction. Students get exposure to the best practices in building information modeling, sustainability, decision-making, and project delivery.
The program comprises 12 courses (36 credits), seven weeks each. Core courses include research methods in construction management; project delivery; and human factors & leadership in construction management. In addition to the expertise gained in core courses, students also acquire detailed knowledge of lean construction; building information modeling; disaster-resilient construction; and construction dispute resolution. The program helps students develop a management-based approach to architecture, engineering, and construction while developing skills such as marketing, scheduling, creating take-offs, and facility management.
Graduates from the program are prepared to oversee residential, commercial, municipal, civil, and industrial building projects.
Purdue University’s online MS in construction management is perfect for professionals looking to make a mark in the construction industry. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a related field. Additionally, they must have two years of work experience in construction.
While the program is fully online, it also includes live classes that allow students to interact with professors and other students. Students also have the opportunity to build a strong professional network. Focused on construction, the program also emphasizes operational and company-level management.
Made up of 33 credits, the program includes courses in construction accounting and financial management; risk management in construction; managing construction quality and production; sustainable site development; and construction leadership and marketing.
Graduates successfully completing the program may take up leadership positions such as project managers, construction company presidents, senior claims analysts, and construction superintendents.
University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso offers an online master of science in construction management program. The program comprises 30 credits and is aimed at professionals in the construction industry. The program prepares students to pursue professional certification offered by the American Institute of Constructors.
This completely online program is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in engineering, business, or architecture. As part of the program, students learn how to manage teams, tackle complex projects, and survive in a global market. Construction management courses include advanced construction cost analysis; construction law and ethics; construction scheduling; earth construction; construction methods; and sustainable construction.
Taught by highly professional faculty that has worked on billion-dollar construction projects, the program lays a solid foundation in construction management with an internship designed to provide students with practical experience with a UTEP-approved construction company.
Graduates of the program will be able to take up roles such as project engineers, quality control managers, project managers, safety managers, and BIM specialists.
Florida International University, School of Construction
FIU’s School of Construction offers a premier online construction management graduate program that trains construction managers to plan, coordinate, supervise, and budget construction projects. Students completing the program can pursue managerial positions in the construction industry.
The degree comprises 30 to 36 credits of three-credit courses. Students can take all courses online, or opt for a combination of face-to-face and online classes. The curriculum consists of courses such as sustainable construction; fundamentals of construction estimating; construction economic analysis; construction legal environment; construction financial management; automation in construction; and construction failures, among others.
The program is ideal for students with bachelor’s degrees in construction management. Application requirements include a completed online application, official transcripts, an essay describing professional goals, and a current resume. Students who earned their bachelor’s degree in a country where the official language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. GRE test scores are required for students with a GPA of less than 3.0.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Engineering
The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers an online master of engineering (MEng) degree with a concentration in construction engineering management. Students with bachelor’s degrees in engineering, project management, construction, and related fields can pursue this program from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. It is a great alternative to an MBA for students pursuing engineering or construction areas of focus.
The program consists of 30 credits. The degree imparts skills such as management and business, project management, planning, and managing capital projects. Some of the topics students explore include construction methods and equipment; construction estimating and bidding; green building; engineering economics; building information modeling; and leadership challenges in a global environment. Students learn how to manage issues in engineering and construction, as well as planning and contracting.
On successful completion of the course, students may work in roles such as engineers, utility company project managers, and government project managers.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign provides an online master of science degree specializing in construction management. The degree comprises 36 credits, and course selection is flexible.
Some of the courses students must take include construction productivity; construction planning; construction cost analysis; and sustainable construction methods. During the program, students learn risk analysis and decision-making, visual sensing, and construction safety. Learning is enhanced with the help of construction case studies. Additionally, the program lays a strong foundation in construction engineering processes such as contracting, scheduling, planning, estimating, project control, and construction econometrics.
The University of Washington offers an online master of science in construction management program, providing students with the management techniques and technical principles needed for leading major infrastructure construction projects. Ideal for working professionals, this fully online program is taught by experienced faculty members who are construction industry professionals.
To get accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree in construction management, construction engineering, civil engineering, or construction science from a regionally accredited university or college in the United States (or its equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Application materials include a completed application, unofficial transcripts from every college or university attended, a current resume, a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and Proof of English language proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English.
Made up of 42 credits, the program includes courses such as energy infrastructure & the environment; design & construction law; construction procurement systems; construction materials; accounting & finance for construction; and heavy construction estimating.
At the end of the program, graduates of this program find positions as senior construction managers, project engineers, owner's representatives, and construction project managers, among other related job roles.
Drexel University offers an online master of science in construction management program, providing students with the technical competence, leadership skills, and practical business decision-making knowledge relevant to successfully managing construction operations. Students can also pursue a concentration in construction project management, sustainability & green construction, or real estate development.
The program can be completed online and has no residency requirements or on-site classes. The program's faculty includes experienced professionals with decades of construction management experience in both the private and public sectors.
The major admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, business, or a non-technical degree from a regionally accredited college or university, a completed online application, official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, two letters of recommendation, a 500-word essay, a current resume, and TOEFL scores for international students.
Made up of 45 credits, the program includes courses such as leadership in construction; construction accounting and financial management; construction control techniques; cost estimating and bidding strategies; and risk management in construction.
On successful completion of the program, graduates can take up roles such as project managers, estimators, coordinators, schedulers, business development managers, safety specialists, suppliers, and regulators, among many such roles.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online master of science program in management with a concentration in construction management. This concentration focuses on managing and planning critical aspects of the construction process. Students will learn construction management practices, strategies, and tools, including the relationship between budgeting and estimating for materials, methods, and projects.
Made up of 36 credits, the program includes core courses such as cultivating organizational culture; managing through communication; resource planning and decision-making; human behavior in organizations; and project management. Courses in the construction management concentration include construction budgeting, estimating & bidding; construction materials & methods; construction law and contracts; and construction quality management and productivity.
Graduates will be prepared for various management roles within the construction field, such as construction managers, business development managers, construction superintendents, construction foremen, and project managers.
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology offers an online master of science program in construction engineering and management for students anticipating a managerial career in the construction industry. Course delivery enables both face-to-face and online participation for distant and local professionals. Students in this program will be provided with essential management and technical skills required by professionals in the industry today.
This 30-credit program includes courses such as construction contracts; construction project management; engineering & construction ethics; construction company management; construction company management; managing sustainable projects; quality management; safety management; operations planning; and advanced construction management.
For admission to the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, a completed online application, an official transcript of prior academic work, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency for international students. GRE scores are not required for admission.
According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the career outlook for construction managers is promising. In May 2022, the median annual wage for construction managers was $112,790. In 2023, the BLS shows the job market for construction managers is projected to grow by 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
Here are salary percentiles for construction managers (BLS May 2022):
Regarding salaries by industry, here are the top-paying sectors for construction managers (BLS May 2022):
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An online bachelor’s program in project management generally comprises 120 credit-hours and can be completed in four years. A few courses that students study include estimating and scheduling, project contracting, foundations of project management, international business, and project planning.
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As the population of the world rises, the need for more houses, schools, offices, hospitals, workspaces, and other necessary structures, increases too—and so does the need for large construction projects such as highways, bridges, roads, and railways. All of this, in turn, increases the demand for well-trained construction managers, who must not only keep track of technological advancements but also ensure they are deployed in the right way.
A master's in engineering management is a stepping stone to leadership positions in engineering. These programs blend technical, business, and management skills to help professionals take their career to the next level.
