Construction Management Major

With a major in Construction Management (CM) from the University of Minnesota's Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program, you'll earn valued University of Minnesota credentials, while gaining the specific knowledge and skills construction industry employers look for when hiring and promoting.  This complex and rapidly changing industry demands highly skilled professionals who are proficient in design and technology as well as management and communication.  Whether you are a working professional seeking a part-time program, or a full-time student with a strong interest in construction, you can prepare for professional growth in construction management by earning a BAS degree.  (See the Employment Outlook link on the sidebar.)

The Bachelor of Applied Science is a nationally recognized four-year degree.  The term “applied” indicates that the curriculum takes a hands-on approach in the classroom, focusing not only on theory, but also on its application in the workplace. The BAS program offers a practitioner-oriented degree designed with the help of, and taught by, construction industry professionals and university faculty. The required courses address real-world business issues, and relate classroom experiences to the workplace.   If you're employed, this program offers courses at convenient late afternoon and evening times and locations.

The Bachelor of Applied Science is an advanced-standing degree program, meaning that students typically have two years of lower-division course work with some or all prerequisites completed or near completion before applying for official admission to the program.  A skilled adviser will help you design a program of study based on an evaluation of your previous course work and your work experience.  And you can get started right away!  You do not have to be admitted to a BAS major in order to enroll in a Construction Management course. You can choose courses to build skills in a particular area, and learn more about the Construction Management program. Then, if you decide to pursue the bachelor’s degree, you can apply for admission.

If you are seeking academic credit for a smaller, more focused set of Construction Management courses, consider a minor or a certificate. 

  • If you are currently enrolled in another undergraduate degree program at the University of Minnesota,  these courses are available as the Construction Management Minor to help you build a foundation for a professional career in the construction industry.  
  • If you are already working in the industry, you may wish to enroll in these same courses to earn a Construction Management Certificate.  (See sidebar links for the Minor and Certificate.)

Curriculum Description

In the first two years, you'll be introduced to basic course work in math, physics, speech, composition, general management, and skills specific to the construction industry. The last two years of course work build upon the knowledge previously introduced and challenge you to apply your experience and learning to complex problems. Engineering and architecture courses focus on technical skills.  Business and management courses expand your experience in scheduling and controlling projects, as well as managing the complex personal interactions that are necessary for a project to succeed.   The program emphasizes communication skills, so that you will be able to confidently meet business needs with effective writing and speech.   You will have an opportunity to apply and integrate your knowledge by participating in a construction industry internship, with the guidance of a faculty member and an industry mentor.

Courses are usually two to four credits each; the typical part-time student enrolls in two to three courses per term. The length of time necessary to complete the degree requirements depends on how many courses you enroll in per term and the number of credits you can transfer to the program. You can enroll in as many courses per term as you can manage.

The technical courses in this major are offered in the classroom (with plans for the first online Construction Management course in Summer 2008).   The required Applied Business (ABus) courses and many of the general liberal education courses are available online or through other forms of distance education.