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A Comprehensive Guide to Construction Management Courses

Construction project management is a niche field that deals with planning, budgeting, coordinating, surveying, and supervising construction projects from beginning to end. These projects are not limited to buildings or houses but may also include roads, bridges, and other structures. To become an exemplary construction manager, individuals must complete the required coursework and undergo extensive training. Take a deeper look at what these courses involve, associated costs, expected salaries, other certifications, and more.

A Comprehensive Guide to Construction Management Courses

What can students learn from a construction management course?
A construction manager wears multiple hats on a project. Training programs and formal education in this field can help individuals prepare for these roles. To understand this better, here are some key job-specific skills students can take away from these courses:

Cost management
This includes estimating and analyzing costs, managing the budget, and any other changes to the project that may impact the cost.
Contract administration
It is rare to have full-time hires for construction projects. Most work is contractual. It is the responsibility of the construction manager to create contracts, manage payments for these contracts, and source the materials needed for the project.
Health and safety management
There are a lot of safety risks at construction sites, making health and safety management a top priority. This also falls under the purview of the construction managers, who are expected to maintain health and safety documentation, ensure that everyone follows health and safety regulations, and implement new protocols as well.
Quality management
There is no room to compromise on quality when it comes to construction projects. The construction project managers shoulder the burden of ensuring that all work meets the quality standards, minimizing delays, using total quality management (TQM) to reduce costs in remedial work, etc.

In addition to these, construction management courses may also prepare students for:

Understanding and explaining the plans, blueprints, and contracts to contractors, administrative staff, firms, and clients.
Overlooking the project from a business perspective.
Ensuring compliance with building codes and safety regulations.
Analyzing structural systems.
Meeting client deadlines, budgets, and contractual requirements.
Obtaining permits and licenses.
Working in tandem with architects, engineers, and other specialists.

Construction management courses may also help students hone their analytical and critical thinking skills, attention to detail, communication skills, contract management skills, health and safety knowledge, and problem-solving abilities, making them better professionals.

How does one become a construction manager?
For most employers, a Bachelor’s degree in the field is now seen as a minimum requirement for hiring a Construction Manager (CM). However, it is not the only path to this job. Other courses such as construction science, architecture, and engineering often have a similar core curriculum, opening the doors to becoming a construction manager.

What is the cost of a formal degree in Construction Management?
Construction management programs are offered at various levels, from a two-year associate degree to a Master’s degree. The most common option, though, is the Bachelor of Science degree in construction management as it offers adequate hands-on experience and training. It includes courses such as architectural graphics, construction contracts, specifications, and law, construction materials and methods, construction project management, construction soils and foundations, surveying, electrical systems for buildings, cost estimating, etc.

On average, a bachelor’s degree in this field costs around $10,612 to $24,375. For a Master’s degree, these prices may be around $11,117 to $26,672.

While an on-campus degree is better suited for this type of education, many colleges also offer online courses in construction management. These can be a great alternative for those who want to learn at their own pace.

Admission requirements for a Bachelor’s degree in construction management
To enroll in a construction management program at the Bachelor’s level, students must have a high school diploma, a SAT or ACT score, and any admission forms and essays required by the school. Those with prior experience in hands-on work in the construction profession may be given preference.

How much do construction managers earn?
A construction management degree can open up doors to various employment opportunities. Here are some of the most popular roles and their corresponding average salary estimates:

Construction superintendent – $93,196
Construction project manager – $87,385
Construction manager – $86,321
Construction project engineer – $76,555
Construction supervisor – $68,055
Construction foreman – $65,418

Please note that these salary estimates may vary depending on one’s training, experience, and geographic location as well.

Other certifications to consider
To enhance one’s skills and employability, there are several certifications to consider adding to one’s portfolio, such as:

Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
Associate Constructor (AC)
Certified Professional Constructor (CPC)
LEED Green Associate
Certified Health and Safety Technician (HST)
Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP)
Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

According to estimates by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of construction managers is projected to increase by 11% between 2020 and 2030. This makes a Construction Management degree, certificate, or training program an extremely lucrative prospect to hone one’s skills and talents and become the best in the business.

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