Curriculum and Coursework

The Five Tracks

Commercial Construction

This track is focused on commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. It is the most generalized construction management track for the student hoping to enter the broader construction field as a contractor, subcontractor, or staff member on the owner's side. This track comprises 19 credits, including Building Energy Systems, Building Envelope Design, and Materials and Structures I and II. The Commercial track courses can all be completed with evening coursework.

Commercial Construction Coursework

Preparatory

• CMGT 2019 – AutoCAD for Construction Managers

Required

• CEGE 3202 – Surveying and Mapping
• CMGT 4201 – Construction Accounting
• CMGT 4542 – Building Energy Systems
• CMGT 4544 – Materials and Structures I
• CMGT 4545 – Materials and Structures II
• CMGT 4562 – Building Envelope Design and Construction
• + 8 Credits Technical Electives

Facility Management (Cohort Enrollment Every Fall, Even Years)

This track covers the complete building life cycle, from design inception and construction to maintenance, recommissioning, and demolition, with the objective of serving on the owner’s side to develop, construct, and maintain buildings for the long term. Comprises 19 credits in Facility Programming and Design, Management and Human Resources, Real Estate Development and Finance, Facility Operations and Maintenance, Facility Cost Accounting and Finance, and Facility Quality Assessment and Commissioning, as well as 6 credits of technical electives. This track is accredited by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Foundation. The Facility Management track can be completed with evening coursework.

Facility Management Coursework

Preparatory

• CMGT 3024W – Facility Programming and Design
• ABUS 4104 – Management and Human Resource Practices

Required

• ABUS 4217 – Real Estate Development and Finance
• CMGT 4211 – Facility Cost Accounting and Finance
• CMGT 4213 – Facility Operations and Maintenance Intensive
• CMGT 4215 – Facility Quality Assessment and Commissioning
• CMGT 4542 – Building Energy Systems
• CMGT 4562 – Building Envelope Design and Construction

• + 8 Credits Technical Electives

Highway/Heavy-Civil Works

This track benefits students interested in careers in the transportation and highway/heavy-civil works project area by tailoring the elective offerings toward civil engineering construction. It comprises 16 credits, including Transportation Engineering, Surveying, Highway Design, Construction Accounting, and Materials and Structures. Note that some classes are offered only during the daytime.

Highway Heavy and Civil Works Coursework

Preparatory

• CMGT 2019 – AutoCAD for Construction Managers

Required

• CEGE 3201 – Transportation Engineering
• CEGE 3202 – Surveying and Mapping
• CEGE 4201 – Highway Design
• CMGT 4201 Construction Accounting
• CMGT 4545 Materials and Structures II
• + 11 Credits Technical Electives

Residential Construction

This track enables students to specialize in residential single or multifamily projects and expand their building science basis specifically to housing applications, while maintaining a strong management orientation. It comprises 22 credits, including Systems Approach to Residential Construction, Advanced Residential Building Science, and Building Testing and Diagnostics. Note that some classes are offered only during the daytime.

Residential Construction Coursework

Preparatory

• CMGT 2019 – AutoCAD for Construction Managers
• CMGT 4544 – Materials and Structures I

Required

• CMGT 4201 – Construction Accounting
• CMGT 4545 – Materials and Structures II
• BBE 4413 – Systems Approach to Residential Construction
• BBE 4414 – Advanced Residential Building Science with Lab
• BBE 4416 – Building Testing and Diagnostics
• + 5 Credits Technical Electives

Environmental Health and Safety (Cohort Enrollment Every Fall, Odd Years)

Led by faculty member and University of Minnesota Building official Scott Holm, this 18-credit track has received Regents approval. It is designed for professionals who are currently in or pursuing leadership roles in the safety professions. This track focuses on the management and prevention of accidents, illnesses, fires, explosions, and other events which harm people, property, and the environment. This program will also assist the student in preparation to apply for and take the examination leading to the Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) Certification.

Environmental Health and Safety Coursework

Preparatory

• CMGT 4031 – Construction Safety and Loss Control
• CMGT 4542 – Building Energy Systems

Required (working titles follow)

• CMGT 4301 – Introduction of Environmental Health and Safety
• CMGT 4302 – Environmental Health
• CMGT 4303 – Industrial Hygiene
• CMGT 4304 – Fire and Life Safety
• CMGT 4305 – Health Safety Planning
• + 5 Credits Technical Electives

We have convened a panel of subject matter experts to help us frame the program outcomes and content:

• Mr. Scott Holm, Faculty, Building Inspector, University of Minnesota, Chair of the committee
• Mr. Scott McKown, Minnesota State Building Codes office (DOLI)
• Ms. Vickie Schleuning, Management Consultant
• Mr. Rodger Schaefbauer, Retired, Wayzata Public Schools
• Mr. Bob Williams, Safety Officer, Adolfson & Peterson Construction
• Ms. Jennifer Hume-Jorgenson, Safety Officer, Mortenson Construction
• Mr. Bryan Thayer, Safety Officer, APi Group

Program Accreditation

The Construction Management program has been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) since 2020. The program was previously accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) 2014–2020.

ABET Accreditation

ABET accreditation is outcomes-based, and the full list of program student learning outcomes, metrics, and results is given in Appendix B, table B1. An accreditation site visit took place in November 2019 and found no deficiencies, weaknesses, or concerns. The Construction Management program received ABET accreditation in October 2020, and accreditation lasts a maximum of six years.

Facility Management Track Accreditation

The program has been accredited by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) since April 2012; reaccreditation took place in 2018. In 2019, ABET assumed responsibility for IFMA accreditation. The program received ABET accreditation for its Facility Management track in April 2020.

Certifications in the Program

Several courses in the Construction Management program include or prepare students to sit for additional external certifications or examinations, and these are integrated in their learning outcomes.

CMGT 4031: Construction Safety & Loss Control − OSHA 30-Hour Certificate

Since fall 2004 the Construction Safety & Loss Control class has included OSHA certification as part of the course learning objectives. The 30-hour certification has been offered since fall 2009.

• Fall 2021: 17 students completed the OSHA 30-hour certification requirements.
• Spring 2022: 23 students completed the OSHA 30-hour certification requirements.

CMGT 4081: Managing Erosion and Sediment Control on Construction Sites − Construction Site Management Stormwater Certification

Integrated in this course since its launch in 2012, students taking CMGT 4081 take the Construction Site Management Stormwater Certification as part of their course assessments. This credential is offered through the University of Minnesota Erosion and Stormwater Management Program in partnership with MPCA and MnDOT.

Two students took the exam in spring 2022 and both passed.

CMGT 4861: Construction Management Capstone − Construction Manager in Training (CMIT)

Since 2013, students taking the capstone class CMGT 4861, have been offered extra credit to take the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Construction Manager in Training (CMIT) certification exam.

None took up the CMIT exam option by the end of the semester (though they remain eligible).

Topics Classes

The program will sometimes offer topics classes designed to address a timely issue in the construction industry, to gauge interest in a new course, or to coincide with a regional event. No topics class was offered in 2020–21, but several previous topics classes have been developed into regular classes.

• CMGT 4000 – The Construction Industry through Time and Tomorrow − fall, even years, online
  The history of the construction industry, organization and delivery.
• CMGT 4001 – Innovative Contracting − fall, odd years
  Project delivery methods in the public sector.
• CMGT 4002 – Lean Construction − spring, odd years
  Lean principles and their application to design and construction.
• CMGT 4003 – Managing in the BIM Environment − spring and fall, every year
  Technical overview of software and construction management processes using BIM.

Three-Year Course Reviews

Every three years, Construction Management courses are reviewed to determine development needs and to maintain curriculum quality. Additional course reviews may occur if a course has been converted to a hybrid or fully online delivery model. A full description of program quality assessment is given in Appendix 1: Quality Improvement Plan.

During academic year 2021−22 the following courses were reviewed.

• CMGT 3001W − Introduction to Construction
• CMGT 4000 − The Construction Industry through Time and Tomorrow
• CMGT 4003 − Managing in the BIM Environment
• CMGT 4031 − Construction Safety and Loss Control
• CMGT 4041W − Specifications and Technical Writing for Construction Professionals
• CMGT 4081 − Managing Erosion and Sediment Control on Construction Sites
• CMGT 4196 − Construction Management Internship
• CMGT 4422 − Advanced Construction Cost Estimating
• CMGT 4861 − Construction Management Capstone

Course and Curriculum Changes

During academic year 2021–22, no changes were made to Construction Management courses and curriculum. A major curriculum review is scheduled to commence in AY 2022–23, applicable to new admits starting fall 2023. Several of the topics classes mentioned above will be re-examined and consideration of their content brought more into the core curriculum.

Liberal Education Requirements (LE)

The College of Continuing and Professional Studies’ Bachelor of Applied Science majors follow the University of Minnesota’s Liberal Education (LE) requirements.

The LE requirements are split into two sections: the Diversified Core, the “why” and “how” of different academic disciplines, and the Designated Themes, topics central to an understanding of contemporary life. Each section is subdivided into several areas, and the University maintains a list of courses approved to fulfill one of the LE areas (see One Stop: Liberal Education Requirements). Students are required to satisfy all seven core requirements and four of the five designated themes.

University of Minnesota Liberal Education Requirements

Diversified Core & Required Credits

• Arts/Humanities: 3 credits
• Biological Science: 4 credits; must include lab or field experience
• Historical Perspective: 3 credits
• Literature: 3 credits
• Mathematical Thinking: 3 credits
• Physical Science: 4 credits; must include lab or field experience
• Social Sciences: 3 credits

Designated Themes and Required Credits

• Civic Life and Ethics: 3 credits
• Diversity and Social Justice in the United States: 3 credits
• The Environment: 3 credits
• Global Perspectives: 3 credits
• Technology and Society: 3 credits

The Writing Intensive Requirement

Writing intensive courses help students understand what it means to write in various disciplines and how writing can be made stronger and clearer so that they can communicate their views effectively.

In addition to the first-year writing requirement, students must complete four writing intensive courses. Two of the writing intensive courses must be taken at the upper division level, one of which must be taken in the student’s major. Courses approved for Writing Intensive status have completed a rigorous review process by the Campus Writing Board.

Five courses in the CMGT program now have Writing Intensive designation: CMGT 3001W – Introduction to Construction (WI spring 2017); CMGT 3024W – Facility Programming and Design (WI fall 2017); CMGT 4041W – Specifications and Technical Writing for Construction Professionals (WI spring 2012); ABUS 4013W – Legal, Ethical, and Risk Issues for Managers (WI spring 2016); and ABUS 4022W – Introduction to Management (fall 2018). Construction Management students can “double dip” from the following writing intensive classes or approved substitutions.

Lower Division

• PHYS – 1101W Introductory College Physics I
• One other lower-division writing intensive class

Upper Division

• ABUS 4013W – Legal, Ethical, and Risk Issues for Managers
• ABUS 4023W – Communicating for Results
• CMGT 3001W – Introduction to Construction
• CMGT 3024W – Facility Programming and Design
• CMGT 4041W – Specifications and Technical Writing for Construction Professionals

Writing Enriched Curriculum

In addition to the requirement for Writing Intensive courses, the Construction Management program is also part of the University of Minnesota Writing Enriched Curriculum (WEC) initiative. This University-wide project, launched in 2007 with generous support from the Bush Foundation, provides a process for meaningfully infusing discipline-specific writing and writing instruction into all undergraduate curricula.
 
The WEC project, supported by the Office of Undergraduate Education, enrolls five additional undergraduate units each year and will continue to do so until all undergraduate majors are engaged. Find further information at CMGT WEC program information. The CMGT Writing Plan is available on the same website.

The Construction Management program joined the sixth WEC cohort in June 2011 and has actively continued to develop the Writing Enriched Curriculum initiative. Accomplishments to date include:

• Publication of our construction-specific online writing style guide Writing for Construction Managers: A Guide to Content and Style soft-launched in January 2015 and is now linked to every CMGT course website and, where applicable, to specific assignment guidelines. This website is reviewed annually for updates and shared with faculty from around the country as a reference.
• The third edition of the Writing Plan was approved by the Campus Writing Board and the Provost in July 2015. This phase will develop very targeted learning modules around a “Teaching with Writing” theme targeted to new faculty and existing faculty as a training tool. While we continue to focus our efforts on writing across our curriculum, we have not undertaken any grants available. The work is ongoing to best integrate writing rubrics into all of our courses.
• As a direct result of the WEC initiative in our program, former grad student Ms. Heidi Wagner and Peter Hilger have completed a substantial draft of their textbook on writing within the industry, and are currently working with publishing options.

Student Rating of Teaching Summary

In accordance with the University policy on the Evaluation of Teaching, at the end of each course students are given the opportunity to give feedback on the course and the instructor via the Student Rating of Teaching (SRT) survey. The Construction Management program tracks the results of our SRTs each semester and uses the results during annual faculty reviews to make curricular and teaching decisions. Further, the information obtained from the SRT evaluations is useful for instructors in explaining how different groups respond to their teaching methods.

A new version of the SRT survey was introduced in 2015, featuring four new questions and a division between those questions that relate to instruction and those that relate to course content. Results from the course-related questions are shared with the University student body.

CMGT faculty consistently score highly in the SRT evaluations, and especially question 4 “the instructor treated me with respect” and question 1 “the instructor was well prepared for class.” There are areas for continuous improvement, however, especially in the area of feedback, a constant theme at faculty meetings and course reviews.

SRT Survey Results for Construction Management Courses (last three academic years)

Not all questions have been asked in all semesters.

* Spring 2020–Spring 2021: low response rates due in part to the shift to online instruction, which generally receives fewer SRT responses.

** Spring 2020–Summer 2021: a reduced SRT was used including these questions only.