Construction Management Schools- Laying Down the Foudation

Posted by admin in News Dec 13th, 2009

Do you feel like you are a detail-oriented person and that you have excellent people skills? If you do, then you have some of the traits that may make construction management school something to consider. Today construction management is evolving into one of the most explosive job fields in America. For several years, the housing boom was driving a huge demand for new construction and construction workers in general. While the collapse of the credit industry has greatly impacted the speed with which new homes are being constructed there is still a huge demand in residential and commercial construction (in several pockets around the country, but now everywhere). One of the best ways to distinguish yourself in this business is to get a construction management degree at a college that specializes in construction. It’s actually a lot more complicated than what some people give it credit for so getting highly specialized training really puts you at a distinct advantage over others that may be going for the same job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor has projected a steady growth in the demand for construction managers through the year 2014 so the time is perfect to get into the field.

There is an ever-growing number of schools that are adding construction management programs to meet the demand in the industry. Just like other fields there are special areas of focus in construction management degree programs. They generall cover things like construction engineering, construction science, and of course strong project management skills.

Typical Job Skills Covered in the Programs Include:

• Designing and managing construction schedules and project plans.
• Commercial Drafting and residential drawing using CAD software and drawing skills.
• Understanding construction graphics and what they represent in drawings.
• Best practice project management, supervisor skills, and management record keeping.
• Hiring of trade professionals and proper human resource management skills.
• Obtaining licenses and permits as well as why they are important.
• Analysis of site plans and the integration of all mechanical systems.
• Maintaining building codes (fire, electrical, and other requirements).
• Construction management accounting principles.
• and much, much more…

Several construction management colleges offer bachelor’s degrees while more and more are starting to develop master’s degree programs which tend to delve deeper into more specific aspects of the trade as they train people to be administrators and construction executives.

Most college degrees and programs will be geared toward preparing the student for certification.  The Construction Management Association of America and the American Institute of Constructors have developed some certification programs.  These generally require verification of your degree from a construction management school/program as well as professional experience in the industry.  Once you meet the initial requirements you are prepared to sit for the exam which is mostly a series of essay questions.

As the field of construction management continues to grow in popularity, we are sure to see even more construction management schools opening their doors.  They are helping to prepare the students that will be laying down the infrastructure that our futures will be built on.

Did you enjoy this article?