How Can We Construct Better Buildings?

And highways and schools and stadiums? With a degree in Construction Management, you can help make them greener, safer, stronger, and more beautiful. The Construction Management Bachelor of Applied Science will equip you with the industry insight and business skills you need to succeed in the construction management field. You’ll learn to manage every step of the construction process, from the first draft to the last brick.

You’ll learn how to:

  • apply the latest construction technology.
  • estimate the cost of a project.
  • write a detailed contract with specifications.
  • manage a construction project.
  • make sure standards and codes are met.

From houses to hospitals, you can put your construction management bachelor’s degree to work by improving the built environment. You’ll be ready to successfully lead a crew or a project, literally from the ground up, managing stakeholders and their projects, including design, engineering, real estate, and ownership teams.

Take a Single Course

Don't want to commit to the entire bachelor's degree? You can enroll for a single construction management course as a nondegree student. Check out some of our popular construction management courses.

Follow these registration steps.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science (BASc.) in Construction Management is fully accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Note: The Construction Management bachelor's degree cannot be completed entirely online. On-campus attendance is required for some classes.

Construction Management Overview

What Students Love About Construction Management

Women in Construction

Construction Management Courses

Each Construction Management course will help prepare you to make a meaningful contribution to the landscape. We've designed the curriculum to provide you with the skills and knowledge to fill leadership roles in the construction management industries. Read more about program outcomes and competencies.

Our instructors and advisory board provide industry perspectives to ensure we're sharing the latest practices in the industry. You and your academic advisor will build a degree plan that totals 120 semester credits. It will include foundation, core, track, and general requirements courses. Many students are able to finish their degree in four years.

 

Donut chart showing number of credits required in five separate areas, totaling 120 credits for the degree. Maroon donut segment spanning 8% of the whole, which is 10 credits out of 120 total.Admission Reqs: 10 Gold donut segment spanning 13% of the whole, which is 16-17 credits out of 120 total.Foundation: 16-17 Blue donut segment spanning 33% of the whole, which is 33 credits out of 120 total.Core: 33 Green donut segment spanning 23% of the whole, which is 27 credits out of 120 total.Track: 27 Orange donut segment spanning 28% of the whole, which is 33-34 credits out of 120 total.General: 33-34 120 Credits

 

General Courses (33–34 credits)

Your degree will include University-wide Liberal Education and Writing Intensive requirements.

Core Courses (33 credits)

All Construction Management students take the same core courses:

Prerequisite Courses* (10 credits)

You will need to have completed certain math and physics courses, as well as CCAPS's Building Construction Plan Reading, before you apply. If you take these courses at the U of M, they include:

  • Math: MATH 1042, 1142, 1271, or 1571H

  • Physics: PHYS 1101W, 1107, 1301, or 1401V
 
  • Building Construction Plan Reading: CMGT 3011

Foundation Courses* (16–17 credits)

All Construction Management students take the courses below. If taken at the U of M, they are:

  • Introduction to Financial Reporting (ACCT 2051)
  • Introduction to Construction (CMGT 3001W)
  • 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)

* It’s possible to take some of the courses above at a different school and transfer those credits to the University of Minnesota. See Admission Requirements section below for more information.

For more information about these requirements, visit One Stop.

Tracks

Students in the program will take 27 credits with a specific focus—or track. Take a look at the five tracks below and work with an advisor to develop a plan. If you're not ready to choose a track at the time you apply to the program, you'll be assigned to the commercial track upon admission, but you can switch tracks later (let the academic advisor know).

Admission Requirements

Before You Apply

The Construction Management degree welcomes students who have completed at least 30 college credits, which will count toward your 120-credit total. You can apply if you don’t have 30 credits completed yet, but you should first talk to our admissions advisor.

Application Checklist

Please include these three things with your application:

  • An online application
  • An application fee
  • College transcripts 

That’s it! No need to write a personal essay or ask for letters of recommendation.

Ready to apply? Here’s what we’re looking for:

  • 30 transferable credits (links to Prereq section above), including 10 in Math, Physics, and Building Construction Plan Reading
  • 2.5+ grade point average
  • Demonstrated interest in the construction field

We also look to see if you have:

  • A pattern of steady academic improvement
  • Nonacademic experience in a related field
  • Extenuating circumstances (events or issues that may have affected your progress in school)

Transferring Credits

Wondering how your past credits might transfer?

The Construction Management major may accept credits from courses you’ve already taken, either at the University or Minnesota or elsewhere.

The guides below will help you see which community college courses will transfer to the CMGT program. Don’t see your community college listed here? Contact us at ccapsinfo@umn.edu.

Additional Resources

  • Transferology – A free online service to see how your courses might transfer to the U
  • APAS – Current U of M students can run a "what if" report to see how their credits might fulfill program requirements

Transfer Admission Advising

Current UMN Twin Cities Students

If you are a current UMN student and want to transfer to CCAPS, contact CCAPS transfer specialist Jeff Olsen Krengel.

New UMN Twin Cities Students

If you have credits from another institution or UMN campus, contact a transfer specialist in the Office of Admissions.

Apply

Fall Semester Application Deadline: Priority: February 1; Final: August 1
Spring Semester Application Deadline: Priority: October 1; Final: December 1

We will consider all applications received by the priority deadline for each term. Applications received between the priority deadline and the final deadline will be considered if space is available.

Questions about submitting your application on time? Contact our Admission Advisor.
 

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)

Employment in Minnesota in jobs related to construction management is expected to grow nearly 22 percent between 2019 and 2029. (Burning Glass Technologies: Program Insight™, accessed 8/10/21.)

 

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 
  • $77K Median income 

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 Handshake.

Job Titles

Some positions of our graduates:

  • Assistant Preconstruction Manager
  • Certified Field Inspector
  • Construction Manager
  • Construction Project Manager
  • Energy Consultant
  • Estimator
  • Project Coordinator
  • Project Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Senior Project Manager
  • Virtual Design and Construction Specialist

Student and Alumni Stories

Current Students

Are you a current student of any of the CMGT programs? We built a website just for YOU!  

We envision the Construction Management Students website to be a one-stop shop for all your academic needs. From the website, you can:

  • contact your instructors and advisors
  • browse the academic calendar
  • access essential forms and docs (e.g., Directed Study and Leave of Absence)
  • explore internships and career opportunities
  • apply to the study abroad program
  • learn about competitions and other student activities
  • and a whole lot more!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Construction Management?

Construction management focuses on end-to-end oversight across the construction process. From initial design strategy to project turnover and commissioning, this field is vital to successful completion of construction projects.   

What Do Construction Managers Do? 

Construction managers oversee all aspects of a construction project, from start to finish. These professionals lead each segment of a building project, implementing design goals, procuring materials, managing cost and time, and ensuring adherence to building codes—all while leveraging the latest construction management technologies and collaborating effectively with all project stakeholders.  

How Much Do Construction Managers Make? 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction managers earn a median annual salary of $98,890. Those interested in pursuing heavy and civil engineering construction can earn an annual median salary of $100,310 or $100,260 for nonresidential building construction management, making construction management a lucrative career field.

What Can You Do With A Construction Management Degree?

Construction management program graduates have the opportunity to pursue career paths that support a number of areas within the construction industry: working for construction firms, subcontractors, suppliers, and as owner representatives. From project management roles to those even more specialized, you can be challenged in positions such as assistant preconstruction manager, construction project manager, estimator, project engineer, energy consultant, certified field inspector, and many more!

How Can A Degree In Construction Management Advance My Career?

According to the BLS, construction managers are increasingly expected to hold a B.S. in areas such as construction science, construction management, architecture, or engineering. A bachelor’s degree in construction management from the University of Minnesota can give graduates an edge in their career pursuits with applied industry-focused tools and knowledge that align with the realities of the construction management field.

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