Graduate Courses in Construction Management

As of 2011, the construction industry accounted for eight to nine percent of the United State's gross domestic product, employing about seven million workers. Many construction workers have no formal education and learn on the job. As they move up the ranks to managing construction projects, additional knowledge and skills become necessary. Many schools offer degrees in engineering or management with a concentration in construction while others offer programs in construction science. Courses are available at the masters level in various topics relating to construction.

Construction Contracting

Classwork is conducted that teach you everything from soliciting bids from general contractors, architects, and other vendors to drafting contracts, bonds and insurance needs, controlling contractors, the structure of the industry, and accounting and cost control. Students are given sample projects and must devise plans and estimates that they would propose if it were a real project to simulate real world issues and work conditions. Construction Management Information

Systems

Students are taught how to use modern design, analysis, and productivity tools and software. This includes mobile computing and information systems to support construction managers and crew in the field as well as those employed in the office. Students are given case studies and need to apply these programs to solve problems or design buildings or homes.

Environmental Issues and Green Building

As more businesses and individuals are requiring or requesting a portion or the entire construction of their projects to include environmentally sound or green building, it becomes important for construction managers to be able to know requirements and methods. Those who are aware of these procedures make themselves more marketable to business and afford to opportunity to appeal to a wider consumer base. Issues such as construction waste disposal , LEED permits, and scoring and submittal processes are taught.

Business Courses

Individual seeking a master in construction either own their own businesses or are or seek to be employed as managers, directors, or department heads of businesses. This requires the knowledge not only for skill in construction but a need to understand financial, accounting, and basic management terms, processes, and work. Most graduate programs include courses that address these such as financial decision making and reporting, business management, law, and cost estimating. Courses will relate all these topics to the construction industry.

References
UNL: Graduate Studies: ConstructionUniversity of Michigan: Graduate Courses: Civil and Enviornmental EngineeringThe California State University: Construction ManagementTexas A&M University: Graduate Studies: College of Architecture