Master's in Construction Management Degree

Program Overview

Southern New Hampshire University's online Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Construction Management equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel in construction management roles. The program covers budgeting, estimating, bidding, construction law, materials, methods, quality management, and productivity. Graduates are prepared for management positions in various construction sectors, including general contracting, specialty trade construction, and civil engineering construction.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

From technological advancements to worker safety and materials regulations to environmental protection, the job of a construction manager is more complex than ever. The specialized construction management degree program focuses on the planning and management of critical aspects of the construction process. You'll learn the tools, practices and strategies of construction management, including the relationship between estimating and budgeting for projects, materials and methods. You'll also evaluate quality control and equipment management and the implications of construction law, contracts and risk management in decision-making for different types and sizes of construction projects. Construction manager roles are projected to grow at a faster than average rate through 2031.1 Not only are job sites starting to reopen since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but firms are trying harder than ever to adapt current talent strategies and create new talent management and workforce experience strategies to navigate workforce challenges, according to a 2022 report from consulting firm Deloitte.2

Outline:

The construction management concentration has 4 courses:

• Construction Budgeting, Estimating & Bidding: Examine budgeting, estimating and bidding strategies for various types and sizes of construction projects.
Using a project-based approach, students are exposed to project budgetary considerations; conceptual, rough order magnitude, and definitive estimating; pricing for equipment, labor, and materials; bid preparation and strategies; and conducting a competitive analysis.
• Construction Law and Contracts: This course examines legal aspects of the construction industry, including interpretation of the law, contract administration, and risk management.
Using a case study approach, students analyze cases to apply legal concepts and principles, interpret the law and determine the performance and flexibility of contracts. Additional topics include ethics, dispute resolution, liability, labor laws, insurance and bonds. Students completing this course are exposed to pertinent laws and contractual requirements and limitations associated with construction management.
• Construction Materials & Methods: This course explores the different facets of construction materials and methods.
Using a case study approach, students analyze the construction process, including work methods, techniques and strategies; methods of equipment selection; reading and interpreting plans and specifications; and material specifications. Additional topics include the procurement of materials, codes, and regulations. Students completing this course obtain the skillsets applicable to real‐world construction projects.
• Construction Quality Management and Productivity: This course focuses on quality management and productivity levels of construction projects.
Students analyze real-world cases to evaluate techniques, tools and practices in implementing and monitoring quality control processes as well as equipment management to include managing and quantifying labor and equipment productivity. Additional topics include scheduling, cost and cost control measures, safety, risk management and quality measurements.

Teaching:

Careers:

• General Contracting
• Specialty Trade Construction
• Commercial Construction
• Residential Construction
• Heavy Construction
• Civil Engineering Construction