The construction industry is flourishing, and those with an undergraduate or master’s degree in construction management are highly sought-after. These specialized degrees give you the ability to communicate with design professionals, such as architects and engineers, as well as managerial skills to supervise the skilled tradesmen that perform the actual construction work.

A typical curriculum for a degree in construction management starts with an exploratory education core, then moves on to more specific courses in construction that give you the technical knowledge to build a structure from the ground up. It is also possible to study advanced engineering subjects like structural analysis and modeling. Many programs also offer the chance to gain practical experience working on real-world projects with local businesses or taking part in a student design competition.

In certain programs, your senior year will involve working with other students to think up, plan and present a project before the panel. This is a great opportunity to gain professional experience find this and increase your network, and can result in a pre-graduation job offer.

You can also specialize in a specific field for example, civil engineering or green building and sustainability. The specialized programs can prepare you for jobs in research and development and design, or estimation and cost control. Doctoral degrees in construction management usually last three to five years long and include a significant amount of research to be included in your dissertation. Some programs also offer graduate assistantships and teaching positions to help you with your tuition costs.