Best Online Construction Management Degree
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Construction management is ideal for task-oriented individuals who don’t want to sit behind a desk all day. Construction management often involves on-site supervision and decision-making against a tight deadline.
With a median pay of more than $100,000 and a faster-than-average projected job growth rate, a construction management degree can set students up for a successful career.
Read on to learn more about construction management degrees and how to break into this fast-growing field.
Featured Online Construction Management Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Can I Expect From an Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Program?
If you enjoy spending time on a job site and have an aptitude for business management, you might do well with construction management. The program typically requires 120 credits, including both general education coursework and major classes. Some schools also require students to take related courses in areas like economics or accounting.
Construction management focuses heavily on math, science, and engineering. You'll also delve into safety regulations, project management, and sustainability. Some courses require lab work as well as a capstone experience or internship.
Online programs in construction management typically do not require any in-person attendance or residency. Construction management programs typically do not offer separate concentrations, but they may allow you to choose electives or interdepartmental courses to match your specific interests.
AI in Construction Management
Artificial intelligence and machine learning is set to reshape the landscape across industries — construction managers will need to be familiar with the technology regardless of whether they’re working behind a desk or on site.
While AI won’t replace on-site workers and managers anytime soon, being familiar with the fast-growing and high-demand technology can give you a leg up on the competition when it comes to finding jobs after graduation. AI can help with numerous aspects of construction management, like writing reports and sifting through data, so seeking out a program that features some AI instruction may boost your employability and job prospects.
Still Looking for the Right Fit? Discover Similar Programs.
Best Accredited Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Programs
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Everglades University
Boca Raton, FL - 4 years
- Online
Everglades University's bachelor's in construction management program prepares graduates for entry-level careers. Major coursework includes OSHA standards, an introduction to sustainability, and construction estimating. All learners also complete a 21-credit minor of their choice.
Alumni have gone on to find work at top employers like Adecco, Lufthansa Cargo, and Lockheed Martin. The university encourages students' academic and career success by pairing each learner with an academic advisor and offering a comprehensive orientation program. Students can also access College Central software.
First-year applicants must submit high school transcripts or GED scores. Students who do not submit SAT or ACT scores must sit for a placement exam. Incoming learners can apply for a variety of institutional scholarships.
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Students who earn ISU's online bachelor's degree in construction management prepare for careers as safety managers and construction superintendents. The curriculum of this program includes courses like ethics in construction, architectural graphics, and environmental control systems. During the program's capstone, students simulate running a construction company and bidding for contracts.
ISU's undergraduate alumni enjoy a 95% job-placement rate. The university's career center provides students with access to Handshake — a software platform that features internships, jobs, and graduate school preparation tips.
First-time college applicants must have a high school diploma, submit standardized test scores, and meet a GPA cutoff. The university awards automatic merit-based scholarships to first-year and transfer students.
National University
La Jolla, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Aspiring managers who want to learn at an accelerated pace can enroll in NU's bachelor's in construction management program. The degree's four-week courses cover topics like surveying, field inspection and safety, and the legal aspects of engineering. Degree-seekers apply their knowledge and skills in a three-part capstone experience.
NU's career advisors work with students to hone their salary negotiation skills, develop persuasive resumes, and practice interview skills. The university also hosts weekly webinars for distance learners.
New first-year students without ACT or SAT scores take the ACCUPLACER exam. In addition to awarding transfer credit, NU exempts students from taking certain courses if they pass a challenge exam. The university also awards scholarships to active-duty service members and students with financial need.
Colorado State University-Pueblo
Pueblo, CO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
CSU-Pueblo's online bachelor's degree in construction management includes eight-week courses in topics like surveying, statics and structures, and concrete and steel structures. The university rotates online courses each semester so that full-time students can graduate in four years. During the program's senior project, learners create a detailed proposal for a construction management business.
CSU-Pueblo's career center offers coaching appointments, resume critiques, and job-search strategies. These services help nearly 90% of undergraduates begin a full-time or part-time position within six months of earning a degree.
Applicants hear back from the admissions office within two weeks. Prospective transfer students can consult the school's degree audit reporting system to determine which of their credits are eligible for transfer. Distance learners may qualify for merit-based and/or need-based institutional financial aid.
Park University
Parkville, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Park's bachelor's in construction management blends 36 credits of business courses and 24 credits of construction management courses, including financial management, business law, and construction project management. Students customize the program by completing three electives.
Park provides learners with networking advice, mock interviews, and cover letter assistance. The university also offers virtual workshops that cover communication skills and professionalism in the workplace. Online students can access 24/7 virtual services, including FOCUS — a tool that helps users identify career preferences and strengths.
Park admits new online students at three points each year. Admission requirements include high school or college transcripts. Active-duty military personnel receive a tuition discount of nearly 40%. Park's construction management program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
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What Courses Will I Take in an Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Program?
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Construction Materials and Methods
This course introduces popular types of construction materials, including their properties and common uses. It also explores the typical sequencing of a construction project and may provide an introduction to commonly used construction equipment. -
Soils in Construction
This lab course teaches students about common soil types and how they can affect construction. Students also learn how best to deal with problems, such as nearby sinkholes and unusually dry and dusty conditions, based on the unique characteristics of the specific soil type. -
Construction Scheduling
In this course, students learn how to perform time estimates, plan construction projects, and schedule projects appropriately. This course also covers delays and what to do to get a delayed project back on track. -
Construction Accounting and Finance
This course focuses on accounting and finance principles as they relate to the construction field. Students delve into topics like cash flow, time value, depreciation, and payment processing. -
Cost Estimating and Bidding
In this course, students learn to break down complex construction projects into their component parts and estimate the costs for each component. They explore how to prepare a bid sheet and how to deal with cost overruns.
Featured Online Construction Management Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Degree?
Career Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that construction manager jobs will grow by 5% between 2022-2032, faster than the average growth rate for all jobs. Construction managers had a median annual salary of $104,900 per year as of May 2023, according to the BLS.
Salary potential and job market projections compare favorably to other undergraduate degrees. With a construction management degree, you can also go into related fields like facilities management or sustainability consulting.
Career Paths
Construction Manager
Construction managers are responsible for both small-scale and large-scale construction projects from start to finish. Duties include cost estimating, planning, hiring subcontractors, overseeing and reporting on progress, ensuring legal compliance, and solving any issues that arise. Construction managers collaborate closely with other professionals, including architects.
- Median Annual Salary: $104,900
Facilities Manager
Facilities managers are responsible for all aspects of a company's buildings and grounds, along with related supplies and equipment. Duties include planning and overseeing renovations; recommending upgrades for efficiency or code compliance, and managing a team of groundskeepers, maintenance workers, and janitorial staff.
- Median Annual Salary: $104,900
Sustainability Consultant
A sustainability consultant works with companies to help them implement more environmentally friendly materials and processes. Sustainability consultants may work on new construction projects in the planning phase, helping corporations gain tax credits for green initiatives and avoid cap and trade penalties for carbon emissions.
- Average Annual Salary: $72,390 (Payscale, April 2024)
Construction Cost Estimator
Construction cost estimators focus specifically on the financial aspects of construction projects. They use blueprints and technical documents to understand the project and then create detailed estimates based on materials and labor costs. They use sophisticated processes and software to consider potential effects. Cost estimators may also suggest project timelines.
- Median Annual Salary: $74,740
Building Inspector
Building inspectors make sure that buildings meet all relevant codes, are structurally sound, and are safe overall. Building inspectors generally work for the local government, inspecting both new construction and remodels. They may also work privately, inspecting buildings for potential purchasers to uncover any hidden issues before completing the sale.
Although the position does not always require a degree, some companies allow applicants to substitute a degree for some of the otherwise extensive required work experience.
- Median Annual Salary: $67,700
Continuing Education
Although not always necessary, you can choose to go on to earn a master's degree in construction management. Earning an advanced degree could open up additional opportunities for raises or promotions.
A master's degree could also be helpful when trying to switch to a different career focus. For example, if a student has experience primarily in cost estimating but wants to become a facilities manager, earning a master's degree could help make the student more competitive.
Construction Management Not For You? Check Out These Related Careers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Construction Management Degrees
Can you make a lot of money in construction management?
With a median salary of $104,900 as of May 2023 according to the BLS, a construction management job can offer you a hefty return on investment.
How stressful is construction management?
Construction management can be a stressful career, as it involves supervising construction workers on site and ensuring the work gets done against deadlines, alongside varying schedules and a high workload. However, if you enjoy the work, it can feel less stressful.
How useful is a construction management degree?
With construction management occupations set for faster-than-average growth over the next decade, there may be a number of opportunities for you to apply your skills and land a high-paying job. With a degree in construction management, you can also work in related fields, such as facilities management, sustainability, and building inspection.
Is construction management better than project management?
Project management is an important skill in construction management, but construction management is focused on the construction industry.
What skills do you need to be a construction manager?
As a construction manager, you'll need to be organized and task-focused in order to meet deadlines and ensure that projects are finished on time. You'll also need to have strong critical thinking and quick reasoning abilities to deal with problems as they pop up during a project.
