Construction Management Bachelor’s Degree Online
Is a Construction Management Degree Right for You?
Construction management degrees focus on learning how to design, create, implement, and manage construction projects. While pursuing a degree in construction management, you will need to practice and learn comprehensive project controls to manage issues that may be critical to projects, including safety, time, cost, scope, and the quality of the work that is done. If you have strong communicational skills, get along and work well with others, are used to fast-paced environments, and can work under pressure, then a construction management job may be a great fit for you. Construction managers typically work with contracts and act as a consultant between business parties for construction projects, so they also need to be able to address the needs of people, have good oral and written communication skills, and be able to form working relationships with different types of people.
Advice for Earning Your Construction Management Degree Online
Online construction management programs offer associate, bachelor's, and graduate degrees. Regardless of the degree you wish to pursue, you should always ensure that the school in which you enroll is accredited. With so many diploma and degree mills floating around the Internet, it is important to do what you can to ensure that you receive a high-quality education and earn a degree that will help you achieve your professional and career goals. If you have questions about school accreditation or what type of degree the specific company or business you would like to work for requires, contact your school of choice or a professional organization in your field.
Required Courses
Construction management degree programs provide students with general education courses and specific courses over the fundamentals of construction techniques, legal issues, and the management field. During your studies, you will acquire the knowledge and skills you will need to enter the workplace and be a productive leader in the construction industry. Areas of study in construction management degree programs can include safety management, construction contracts and documents, sites and measurements, and building codes and procedures. Some of the required courses include commercial construction methods, principles of building construction management, project management, safety management, cost estimating and analysis, mechanical systems, statistics, ethics, environmental issues, and legal issues in construction.
Common Career Paths
The need for building and expanding will always exist, so this field is likely to continue to need workers. Faster than average job growth is expected in this field and those with experience and degrees in the field should have the best job prospects. Popular careers in the construction management field include (but are not limited to):
- Construction Manager
A construction manager is responsible for the planning, directing, coordination, and budget of a wide scope of construction projects. This can be for all types of construction, including commercial, residential, and industrial structures, as well as roads, bridges, and expansion projects. Depending on the size of the job and other factors, construction managers may be responsible for overseeing an entire project. Their job responsibilities include scheduling and coordinating the project which usually includes hiring and overseeing the work of contractors and employees, ensuring the budget is being honored, determining whether employees are taking safety precautions to prevent accidents or risks while working, and making certain the project is being completed on time.
This field is projected to have faster than average job growth is expected, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While the BLS reported that the salary of construction managers varies widely depending on several factors, the median annual wages of construction managers were $79,860 in 2008, which was the most recent information provided.
- Cost Estimator
Cost estimators that work in the construction industry estimate and prepare the cost information of future projects for businesses and organizations so that the business manager or deciding person can make a decision on whether to go ahead with a specific project. This estimate includes costs associated with the project, how many employees will be needed, the length of time it will take, and whether profits will be made off of the project. Construction cost estimators must visit the sites of projects to gather all the information that will be used to be included into their project estimate and ultimately, the proposal. Other estimates that must be factored in include equipment needs, sequence of operations, and physical constraints, so their estimates generally cover a very large scope of areas.
Construction cost estimators may be employed by architects, engineering firms, and other companies in the construction industry. The employment outlook of construction cost estimators looks good, as growth is expected by 25% over the next several years, which is much faster than the average occupation. Additionally, the best job prospects will likely be for those that have industry work experience and a bachelor's degree in the field. While the salary of construction cost estimators varies widely between employers, experience, and education, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the annual median salary of construction cost estimators was $56,510 in 2008.
- Construction Inspector
A construction inspector examines buildings, roads, bridges, water systems, and other structures that are built to ensure that they meet certain requirements. This can include ensuring that the construction, alterations, and repairs of structures are compliant with building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and specific requirements. To be compliant with construction regulations, inspectors must make initial inspections during the beginning phases of construction and follow up with subsequent visits throughout the project to ensure codes and regulations are still being met. Most employers prefer that employees have a college degree in construction management, engineering, or a related field. In addition, many states require that construction inspectors have some sort of license or certification to practice in the field.
The employment outlook for construction inspectors looks to be good, as faster-than-average job growth is expected in the field. Employment of construction inspectors is expected to grow by 17% over the next several years. Those with training and experience in the field should have the best job opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median salary of a construction inspector was $50,180 in 2008.
