The Construction Management Certificate will equip you with the industry insight and business skills you need to succeed in the construction management field, managing projects from design and engineering through final commissioning. You'll gain access to industry professionals and up-to-the-minute developments in construction methods and technology, and you'll be prepared to lead design, engineering, real estate, and ownership teams.

You'll gain essential skills and knowledge in:

  • estimating documents
  • scheduling contracts
  • planning project execution
  • measuring results and ensuring quality
  • managing projects

Don't need the whole certificate? You can enroll for a single course as a non-admitted student. Check out some of our popular facility and construction management courses.

U of M Construction Management Degree Overview

Careers in Construction

Women in Construction

Construction Management Certificate Courses

Required Courses (18 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
CMGT 3001WIntroduction to Construction3
CMGT 4011Construction Documents and Contracts3
CMGT 4021Construction Planning and Scheduling2
CMGT 4022Construction Estimating3
CMGT 4031Construction Safety and Loss Control3
CMGT 4073Building Codes for Construction Managers1
CMGT 4861Construction Management Capstone3

CMGT 3001W Introduction to Construction may be waived with faculty director approval. However, you must choose a Construction Management elective to fulfill the total of 18 credits to complete the program.

CMGT 3011 Construction Plan Reading or an equivalent course, or proficiency in construction plan reading, is a prerequisite for several courses in the certificate. CMGT 3011 will not count toward the 18 credits.

Planning Chart | A guide to help you plan your schedule of courses.  
Course Catalog | Course descriptions and prerequisites
Class Schedule | Courses details by semester

Transferring Credits

With approval of the program, up to 7 credits of transfer coursework may be used to satisfy requirements for this certificate.

In addition, this certificate can apply toward the Construction Management Bachelor of Applied Science degree.

If you have any questions about how your credits may transfer in or out of this program, please consult with an advisor.

Admission

Admission Deadlines

Fall semester: July 15
Spring semester: November 15
Summer term: April 15

Admission Requirements

Applicants with 45 or more transferable credits and a minimum 2.5 GPA are admitted.

Admission Benefits

You may take one or two courses in the program before applying for official admission, however, you should apply for admission as soon as possible.

As an admitted certificate student, you will:

  • be assured that all of your course work will count toward the certificate (unless requirements change);
  • receive updates about the program;
  • have an opportunity to register earlier than a student who is not admitted;
  • not be assessed the University of Minnesota Student Services fee.

Current U of M Students

Are you a current U of M student interested in adding construction management to your studies? We also offer a Construction Management minor.

Completion Requirements

To be awarded the certificate, you should complete all required coursework within four years of admission, with a minimum grade of C- and a cumulative GPA of 2.00.

If you are completing an undergraduate degree as well as a certificate, there's no need to apply for graduation for your certificate. The credentials will be awarded simultaneously.

If you are completing a certificate only, you can apply for graduation online. After you've registered for your final course in the certificate, log in to myu.umn.edu and click on Student Center under key links, then My Academics and Apply for Graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions

This credential is designed to give you the core foundational knowledge to make a career change into construction management or related disciplines. It is an option for students with work experience in the field but with no previous degree who need a credential to advance in their careers. It can also be used to augment an existing degree.

The Certificate is an 18-credit University credential that can be done in two semesters part-time at the fastest pace, or in a longer timeline convenient to your schedule and course availability.

The BASc. degree is a 120-credit undergraduate degree that includes liberal education requirements, preparatory courses, and major coursework and takes four years full time to complete.

No, Certificate students are not eligible for student visas. International students may take the courses online from their home country without a visa.

Yes, all 18 credits will fulfill BASc. degree requirements, should you choose to apply to that program.

Four of the courses are offered in either format in different semesters, so with proper planning, you can take them in your choice of format. CMGT 4031 is not offered online, and CMGT 4073 is offered online only. CMGT 4861 Capstone can be taken from a distance and you can join the in-person class through technology.

Certificate students are not eligible for federal financial aid. However, halfway through the Certificate program, students may be eligible for CCAPS scholarships (although priority is given to bachelor’s degree students) if funds are available. Also, be sure to check with your employer for tuition assistance and apply for relevant industry scholarships.

In addition to the required Certificate courses, knowledge of construction plan reading is essential. Plan reading background is a prerequisite for two of the courses, CMGT 4021 and 4022. If you do not have plan reading experience or coursework, please take a plan reading course such as CMGT 3011 – Building Construction Plan Reading (2 cr), or an equivalent course at a community college. An internship is also highly recommended (CMGT 4196 – Internship, 1 cr) to help you gain experience in the field while taking classes. As an alternative to the internship, you could pursue a special project with your employer via CMGT 4193 – Directed Study (1–3 cr).

Not every Certificate student has the same work and educational experience, so we endeavor to tailor the requirements to your skills and career objectives. We can waive courses based on previous related upper division coursework, subject to departmental approval. We can also substitute other upper division CMGT courses, including environmental health and safety and facility management courses, to meet your goals. Please talk with us to find out more about a custom course plan.

Yes, all courses will appear on a student’s U of M undergraduate academic transcript.

Certificate students are not eligible for career services because they do not pay the student service fees. However, they are invited to attend our annual career fair, use our resume book, and participate in industry events hosted by the department.

$582.65 in-state tuition per credit as of the 2024–25 academic year.

International students who have never applied to the U of M and are taking online courses from their home country will be assessed at in-state tuition of $582.65 per credit. If international residency has been previously assessed, international tuition rates will be billed.

You will need to inquire and self-report to your licensing agency. Generally speaking, university-level courses will qualify for professional development credits with most licensing agencies.

This is an academic certificate, not a technical certification. We are not a provider for any specific organizations. However, you may earn the OSHA 3 card through taking CMGT 4031 – Construction Safety and Loss Control (though the card is not required for the Construction Management Certificate).

Registration

To find out when you should register, consult the Registration Calendar.

  • If you are a U of M admitted student, register through MyU. Instructions can be found on One Stop.
  • If you would like to take one of our courses but are a nondegree/guest student (not formally admitted to a degree or certificate program), follow the registration steps outlined on One Stop.

Admissions Advising

Jeff Olsen Krengel enrollment advisor

Meet Jeff Olsen Krengel

I work with prospective students interested in our undergraduate applied science majors and those who want to design their own degree program. I’m available to answer your questions and help you find a program that meets your needs.

In my free time, I can be found reading, running with my son, or visiting a brewery. I am an avid sports fan cheering for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota United FC, and Liverpool FC. 

Give me a call at 612-625-4340. Or you can send me a message or request an appointment below.

Transfer admission events

Oct
25

Government & Nonprofit Career Fair

Coffman Memorial Union Great Hall

10:00 am