Construction Management

Construction management is a diverse discipline focused on the delivery of projects that compose the world's built environment. Included are the determination of project requirements, management of design, procurement of materials, and management of the construction of the project within cost, time, and design parameters. In terms of dollar value output, the construction industry is the largest single production activity in the U. S. economy -- accounting for almost 10 percent of the gross national product. The construction industry is heterogeneous and enormously complex. The major classifications of construction differ markedly from one another: residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure, as well as specialties such as electrical, mechanical, framing, excavation, and roofing. Construction Management is the study of how projects are conceived, designed and built; the types of materials and methods used; techniques for estimating the cost of construction; design and contract law; construction accounting; oral and written communications; safety requirements; project planning, and project management.

Undergraduate Program

The Department of Construction Management offers the following program of study:

• The Bachelor of Science in Construction Management degree

Bachelor of Science

Department Admission Requirements

1. Completion of a minimum of 88 credits in the following categories (courses must be completed by the beginning of autumn quarter to be eligible for admission that quarter):
   1. Construction Science: M E 123.
   2. Business and Management: ACCTG 215 and 225; MGMT 200.
   3. Individuals & Societies (I & S): ECON 100, 200, or 201; 10 additional I & S credits from UW Areas of Knowledge list (CM 250 recommended).
   4. Natural World (NW): PHYS 114, PHYS 115, PHYS 117, and PHYS 118: MATH 112, MATH 124, or MATH 145 or Q SCI 291; ESS 101; QMETH 201; 10 additional NW credits from UW Areas of Knowledge list (CHEM 120 or ENV S recommended).
   5. Language Skills: 5 credits from English composition list; 5 credits from "W" courses or English composition list (ENGL 131 and ENGL 281 recommended).
   6. Visual, Literary & Performing Arts (VLPA): COM 220; 5 additional VLPA credits (from UW Areas of Knowledge list).
2. Preference is given to applicants who have successfully completed lower-division prerequisite requirements. Admission decisions are based on an applicant's academic performance and potential, extent and quality of relevant experience, apparent attitude, and personal motivation. Completion of prerequisite requirements does not guarantee admission.
3. Departmental application deadline: April 1, for the following autumn quarter. Selection for acceptance into the program, which begins autumn quarter, is made by early May, and all applicants are notified of the admission committee's decision shortly thereafter. Because each application is valid only once, a student whose application for admission is denied must reapply if consideration is desired in any subsequent year.

Major Requirements

1. Foundation Courses (73 credits): ARCH 320, ARCH 321, ARCH 322; B CMU 301, CM 310, CM 311, CM 312, CM 313, CM 321, CM 322, CM 323, CM 331, CM 332, CM 333, CM 334, CM 410, CM 411, CM 412, CM 421, CM 422, CM 423, CM 432, and CM 433.
2. Construction/Construction Science Electives (6 credits): Two of the following: CM 415, CM 420, CM 425 or ARCH 420
3. Approved Electives (8 credits): Upper division courses offered by the College of Architecture and Urban Planning or by the School of Business.  (CM 413 recommended.)  
4. Capstone Experience (5 credits): CM 431
5. Additional Degree Requirement: Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA in upper-division college courses.

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

• Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: The study of construction management requires an interdisciplinary curriculum that contains a mix of technical, managerial, and business courses to provide graduates with the essential skills needed to be successful in the construction industry. Oral and written communication skills are strengthened through written requirements and oral presentations. Construction management skill sets include the ability to read and interpret construction contract documents; the ability to determine appropriate methods for project construction and the proper sequence for each associated construction task; the ability to estimate project costs and time requirements; the ability to evaluate project site safety hazards and take action to minimize the potential for accidents occurring; an understanding of the legal framework associated with contract construction; and the ability to manage the myriad activities associated with constructing a project. Graduates pursue careers with construction companies, design firms, public agencies, homebuilders, consulting firms, real estate developers, and construction material suppliers.
• Instructional and Research Facilities: The Architecture-Urban Planning Library (located on the third floor of Gould Hall) houses construction management books and periodicals. Additional materials are located in the Engineering Library and the Foster Library (Business School). College resources include a 30-work-station computer laboratory on the second floor of Gould Hall. Departmental resources include a student lounge in Room 242, Gould Hall. The lounge contains four computers and space for student collaboration.
• Honors Options Available: None offered.
• Research, Internships, and Service Learning: An internship is required for completion of the degree program. Every student is encouraged to seek summer employment in the construction industry, to provide a taste of real-world experience and an opportunity to work for a construction firm. While the department seeks to identify opportunities for internship positions, the responsibility for securing a position rests with each student.
• Department Scholarships: None offered.
• Student Organizations/Associations:
  • Sigma Lambda Chi is a national student honor society for recognition of outstanding students majoring in construction management. Membership is offered only to those students who are in the top twentieth percentile of their class. Each year the student chapter conducts community service activities.
  • Associated Students in Construction (ASIC) is an umbrella organization for several student chapters of national organizations: Associated General Contractors of America, National Association of Home Builders, and Mechanical Contractors of America. Activities include professional guest lectures, field trips, attendance at professional meetings and seminars, and community service.

Of Special Note:

Dual-Degree Program: The Department of Construction Management, in conjunction with the Department of Architecture, offers a five-year dual-degree program to provide students education in both the design and construction disciplines. Students must consult an adviser and apply to the Department of Architecture upon completion of their Architecture program prerequisites. To be admitted to the Construction Management program, students apply at the beginning of the spring quarter of the first year in the Architecture program. The five-year curriculum is a blending of the Architecture and Construction Management programs. Graduates of the dual-degree program receive both a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies. Students interested in the dual-degree program are encouraged to consult undergraduate advisers in both departments.

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Coordinator
120 Architecture Hall, Box 351610
206-685-4440

Master of Science in Construction Management

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree (B.S. or B.A.) in civil engineering, construction management, building technology, architecture, or similar field from an accredited college or university in the United States, or its equivalent from a foreign institution. Students with undergraduate degrees in an area other than construction management or building technology must demonstrate an understanding of estimating, project planning and control, and project management either by transcript, validation examination, or successful completion of the following courses: CM 410 (5); CM 411 (3); CM 421 (3); CM 422 (2).
• Minimum GPA of 3.00, based on the last 60 graded semester hours or last 90 graded quarter hours of undergraduate and graduate study.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
• Statement of goals and objectives
• Letters of recommendation
• International applicants whose first language is not English must submit a valid Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Michigan Language Test (MLT) score. A minimum score of 580 (TOEFL) or 237 (TOEFLC), or 90 on the MLT, is required for admission.

Degree Requirements

• Core courses (15 credits): CM 500 (3),CM 510 (3), CM 515 (3), CM 520 (3), CM 525 (3)
• Elective courses (21-24 credits): 21 to 24 credits of the following: CM 505 (3), CM 545 (3), CM 550 (3), CM 555 (3), CM 565 (3), CM 570 (3), CM 593 (3), CM 598, B E 551 (3), B E 552 (3), B E 553 (3), or other graduate-levels courses approved by adviser
• Thesis or project (6 or 9 credits): Project -- CM 600 (6), or thesis -- CM 700 (9)