Studies & Degrees in Construction Management
Construction Management Study Programs
Construction management is the planning, coordination and control of a building project from the first idea to the handover. Colorado State University defines it as "the overall planning, coordination, and control of a project from inception to completion". The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes the job in similar terms: construction managers plan, coordinate, budget and supervise construction projects from start to finish.
The subject sits between engineering and business. Students do not design the structure; they learn how to get it built on time, within budget and safely. According to the BLS, bachelor's programmes in construction-related majors often include courses in project control and management, design, construction methods and materials, and cost estimation. The upper-level courses of the degree at Ferris State University show what this means in practice: construction scheduling, estimating, formwork and temporary structures, construction contracts, safety management and construction economics, next to business law, accounting and technical writing.
Qualifications and levels
- Associate degrees. In the United States some construction managers hold an associate degree in construction management or construction technology. At Ferris State University the route is formal: the Bachelor of Science in Construction Management is open only to transfer students, who first complete an associate degree in building construction technology, civil engineering technology or architectural technology and need a combined grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
- Bachelor's degrees. The bachelor's degree is the usual entry qualification. Colorado State University has taught the major since 1946 and reports more than 6,000 graduates; its students must complete an internship with a construction company. At the University of Washington, applicants choose Construction Management as their first-choice major on the freshman application, which is due on 15 November; students already at the university apply to the department by 1 February for spring or 5 April for autumn.
- New Zealand. Massey University offers a Bachelor of Construction with three majors: Construction Management, Design Management and Quantity Surveying. It takes three years of full-time study (360 credits), and the final year can be taken by distance learning.
- Graduate and professional level. Universities such as the University of Washington also run graduate programmes and certificates in the field. In the United Kingdom and internationally, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is the professional body for construction management; it holds a Royal Charter and dates back to 1834.
In the United States the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) accredits construction education programmes offered by colleges and universities. The degrees at Ferris State University and Colorado State University are both ACCE-accredited. When comparing schools, check whether the programme you want is accredited and by whom.
Where to study construction management
SpainExchange lists 20 active schools for construction management: 17 in the United States, two in New Zealand and one in Australia. All teach in English. The US schools include Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, Colorado State University in Fort Collins, the University of Washington in Seattle, Florida International University in Miami, Illinois State University, East Carolina University and The Ohio State University. In New Zealand the list has Massey University and Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin, and in Australia Central Queensland University.
Delivery differs between schools. Ferris State University holds classes on its main campus, online or in a mixed format, and Massey University admits international students both on campus in New Zealand and online from abroad. Massey has no specific entry requirements beyond university admission and its English language standard, but recommends mathematics to at least Year 12 level.
Careers
Graduates usually start as assistants and work under an experienced manager; the BLS puts this training period at up to one year, sometimes longer. Colorado State University lists entry-level jobs such as field engineer, assistant estimator, project scheduler, cost control engineer, safety engineer, project supervisor and project coordinator.
According to the BLS, construction managers held about 609,100 jobs in the United States in 2025, and 38 percent of them were self-employed. Employment is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 49,700 openings each year. Large construction firms may prefer candidates who have both construction experience and a bachelor's degree in a construction-related field. Some US states require construction managers to be licensed, so check the rules of the state where you plan to work.
Frequently asked questions
Is construction management the same as civil engineering?
No. Civil engineers design structures; construction managers organise the building process: schedule, costs, contracts, subcontractors and safety. The two work closely together, and degree courses overlap in areas such as materials and methods.
How long does a construction management degree take?
It depends on the country. The Bachelor of Construction at Massey University takes three years of full-time study (360 credits). At Ferris State University students complete an associate degree first and then the third and fourth year of the bachelor's degree.
Do I need work experience to study construction management?
Not to be admitted, but practical experience is part of many degrees. Colorado State University requires an internship, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that large firms may prefer candidates with both construction experience and a bachelor's degree.
What does ACCE accreditation mean?
The American Council for Construction Education accredits construction education programmes at colleges and universities in the United States. Accreditation applies to a specific degree, not to the whole university.