What can I do with a construction management major?
A construction management major will increase your expertise in every stage of the construction process, from conception through creation. Whether you're a working professional or a full-time student, this degree will prepare you for a leadership role in construction.
You will improve your knowledge of current industry practices in:
- design and construction technologies
- estimating
- contracts and specifications
- project management
- results measurement
- quality assurance
You'll work with your program advisor to construct a plan with 120 semester credits, including 86-89 within the major (30 credits required for admission). All CMGT students take the same core courses; in addition, you can choose one of five tracks (subplans):
- Commercial Construction
- Environmental Health and Safety
- Facility Management
- Highway Heavy and Civil Works
- Residential Construction
Take a Single Course
Don't want to commit to the entire degree? You can enroll for a single course as a non-degree student. Check out some of our popular facility and construction management courses.
Follow these registration steps.
Accreditation
The program is accredited by ABET under the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission (ANSAC) criteria.
Requirements and Courses
You'll work with your program advisor to construct a plan with 120 semester credits, including 86–89 within the major. All CMGT students take the same core courses, plus select a track (subplan) in one of the five areas below.
The curriculum has been designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to fill leadership roles in the construction or facility management industries. Read more about program outcomes and competencies.
Admission Requirements (10 credits)
These 10 credits will count toward your 120 credit total and are required for admission to the CMgt program. When taken at the University, these courses include:
- Mathematics (MATH 1042, 1142, 1271, or 1571H)
- Physics (PHYS 1101W, 1107, 1301, or 1401V)
- Building Construction Plan Reading (CMGT 3011)
Foundation Courses (19-21 credits)
The following courses are required for all subplans (tracks) and should be taken early in the program. They will count toward your 120 credit total. When taken at the University of Minnesota, these courses include:
- Introduction to Financial Reporting (ACCT 2050)
- Introduction to Construction (CMGT 3001W)
- Technical Writing (ABUS 4023W, or WRIT 1001 or 3152W or 3562W, or PHYS 1101W* or 1301W* or 1401V*)
- Public Speaking OR Interpersonal Communication (COMM 1101** or 1313W or 3402 or 3411 or 1101H**, or WRIT 3257)
- Economics (ECON 1101+ or 1102, or APEC 1101+ or 1102 or 1101H+)
- Management (ABUS 4022W or MGMT 3001)
* Fulfills Physical Science Liberal Education requirement
** Fulfills Civic Life and Ethics Liberal Education requirement
+ Fulfills Social Sciences Liberal Education requirement
Core Courses (30 credits)
All Construction Management majors take the same core courses:
Admission
The Construction Management degree accepts applications from students with at least 30 transferable college credits. Find out more about how your credits might transfer below.
Fall Semester Application Deadline | Priority: February 1; Final: August 1
Spring Semester Application Deadline | Priority: October 1*; Final: December 1
* All spring applications received on or before October 1 will be considered; however, applications received after October 1 will be considered only as space is available. Strong candidates not admitted in the spring may be placed on a wait list.
Questions about admissions? Contact enrollment advisor Willie Wong.
Admission Criteria
- At least 30+ transferable credits
- 2.5+ GPA
- Demonstrated interest in the field
Secondary Review Factors
- A pattern of steady improvement in academic performance
- Nonacademic experience in a related field
- Work experience, paid or unpaid
- Extenuating circumstances
The University also reserves the right to deny admission to an otherwise admissible applicant if the University determines that the applicant's enrollment would not be in the applicant's or the University's best interest.
How to Find Out If Your Credits Will Transfer
Current U of M Students: You can run a "what if" APAS report to see how your coursework might meet the construction management program requirements.
Students Outside of the U: Sometimes CMGT foundation courses can be taken at another school, including community colleges.
Visit the U of M Transfer Credit website and consult the Transferology guides on how to find a replacement course or determine how your completed or in-progress coursework will transfer. (You will need to create a free Transferology account.)
You can also contact enrollment advisor Willie Wong to talk about how your individual coursework might transfer to the program.
Career Outlook
"It is becoming increasingly important for construction managers to have a bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, architecture, or engineering." (Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Construction Managers, visited June 16, 2020)
Graduate Snapshot
Averages of 2019−20 (Source: U of M Career and Internship Services Surveys)
- 100% Paid employment
- 95% Job closely/
somewhat related to major - $69K Median income
Some positions of our graduates:
- Assistant Preconstruction Manager
- Certified Field Inspector
- Construction Manager
- Energy Consultant
- Estimator
- Project Coordinator
- Project Engineer
- Project Manager
- Virtual Design and Construction Specialist
Visit Career and Internship Services for more alumni data, job search and internship resources, and employment listings.
Connect with other U of M students and alumni to share job, internship, and volunteer information on GoldPASS.
Career Paths by Track
Internships
An internship provides you with a hands-on opportunity to apply your classroom learning, and it's a great transition to employment. It is intended for students who have some advanced skills and knowledge and have completed many of the core courses in the major, particularly estimating, planning and scheduling, and documents and contracts.
If you already have a job, you don't have to find a new one—you can work with your present employer to explore new responsibilities in an area of the company you haven’t yet fully experienced.
Contact the internship coordinator (cceintrn@umn.edu) if you have any questions.
Information for Employers
Creating meaningful construction management internships can be a huge boost to your organization. Construction Management students ready to intern will bring AutoCAD and plan reading skills, and they usually also have contract, scheduling, estimating, and safety coursework under their belts. Internships can last for three to six months, and students may complete multiple internships. Compensation typically ranges from $15−20 per hour.
Review tips on creating a position, post your position at GoldPass, and send it to cceintrn@umn.edu. For more information, email Peter Hilger at aphilger@umn.edu.
Student Experience
Student Life
- Study Abroad: You may have the opportunity to study abroad as part of your degree. Talk to Enrollment Advisor Willie Wong for more information.
- Construction and Facility Management Student Association: This group's core mission is to provide a base for student involvement in campus and community activities. Members can participate in industry-related activities, help current students by mentoring or tutoring, and be involved with other campus groups. Membership is open to any U of M student, regardless of college.
- Facebook: Please email the CFMSA at cfmsa@umn.edu to request membership.
- LinkedIn: A networking site for the Construction Management program and all interested stakeholders.
- Construct*ium
- Sigma Lambda Chi: Construction Management Honor Society
- Learning abroad opportunities: Talk to your advisor.
- Writing Enriched Curriculum: The Construction Management curriculum offers a comprehensive answer to the question “What does effective written communication look like in construction management?” Each course syllabus contains writing assignments specifically oriented to the WEC objectives. We have also developed a “Construction Management Student Writing Style Guide,” which is available on the Moodle site of each course, along with instructional videos. The entire WEC process is described by its developers in an article in the International Journal of Construction Education and Research.
- Quiz Bowl: A clip from the inaugural Quiz Bowl in March 2012 (the winning team was from the University of Wisconsin−Stout). The 2013, 2014, and 2015 Quiz Bowl champion teams were from the University of Minnesota!
- Final Four
Career Resources
Academic Resources
- Undergraduate Student Handbook
- Scholarships
- Construction Management Program Annual Report
- Directed Study Information
- Commencement
- College and University-wide Resources
Forms
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid
- Resident undergraduate tuition is $520.50 per credit for 2022−21. Nonresident tuition varies.
- You may also be charged additional fees.
We want to ensure you have access to the education you want. Find out more about financial aid or talk to our scholarship advisor.
COVID-19 Information
Prospective Students: Please connect with enrollment advisor Willie Wong with your questions or to schedule an appointment.
Current Students: Reach out to your academic advisor with any questions.
The Office of Undergraduate Education has additional updates for undergraduate students.
The U of M Online website offers helpful tips and resources for students for successful online learning.
