Essential Information
While experienced construction professionals can qualify to work as contractors with only a high school education, aspiring construction managers often need an associate's or bachelor's degree. Construction management programs may be found at 2-year and 4-year colleges, and in addition to associate's and bachelor's degrees students can also pursue a certificate or master's degree. In contrast to degree programs that can lead to management work, certificate programs in construction management are designed to prepare individuals for assistant and contractor positions, although graduates can often continue with a degree program.
Concepts that are commonly covered in construction management courses include:
- Materials and equipment
- Building codes
- Blueprints
- Safety procedures
- Project cost estimation and control
- Residential and commercial building
- Construction project software
- Project planning and scheduling processes
Students in construction management programs often participate in some hands-on learning opportunities during their courses. They might also do a field experience in which they work on construction projects, or they might do a final project with other students.
Overview of Construction Management Courses
Construction Materials Course
A construction materials course introduces students to materials used in different construction projects from building materials to ground and foundation make-up. Specific materials studied include soil, metals, concrete and wood. This course also covers finishes and materials for the exterior and interior of buildings. Skills are developed to assess the effect materials have on a building projects related to structure, fire safety, building codes as well as market demand.
Construction Safety Course
In a construction safety course, students are introduced to occupational safety practices. Safety equipment, site management, demolition practices, adherence to codes and safety inspection processes are all likely topics covered in this type of course. Federal safety laws and regulations are also addressed.
Bids and Estimations Course
Professionals in construction management quite often deal with bidding or estimating large projects. This course helps to develop skills in estimating prices, quoting projects and selecting appropriate subcontractors to help with the work. Specific topics include pre-bidding process, blueprint reading, materials estimating and cost control. Students may also use computer software and applications to develop project estimations.
Electrical and Mechanical Systems Course
This is a course that covers both residential and commercial construction projects. Students develop an understanding for electrical and mechanical systems related to a variety of building needs. Federal and state regulatory codes will be covered. Other topics studied may include heating, ventilation and air condition systems, fire regulation and plumbing systems. This is a course that is typically delivered in part by lecture and hands-on learning.
Specs and Construction Drawing Course
A specs and construction drawing course helps students learn how to interpret blueprints from builders, architects and engineers pertaining to the project at hand. Students will spend time interpreting drawings as they relate to electrical systems, plumbing, structural specs and mechanical areas of buildings. Specific skills will be developed in coordinating all building systems and drawings, interpreting various blueprints and understanding code requirements. This course covers a basic understanding of all common construction-related documents and where they fall in the building process.
Project Management and Planning Course
A large part of construction management has to do with overseeing entire building projects or multiple construction projects. This course helps to develop students' skills in managing projects and people. This course may be taken at different times in a construction management program with an emphasis on residential or commercial construction.
Specific topics may include record keeping, job-site management, use of subcontractors and scheduling. Specific computer software may be used for construction project scheduling. Students typically work on sample projects in order to gain real-world experience in planning and scheduling construction projects.
