Program Overview

Introduction to the Construction Management Program

The Construction Management program at WSU was established in response to an assessment conducted in 1995, which determined a need for an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Construction Management. The program began in August 1996 with one faculty member and approximately 20 students.

Program Development and Growth

In 1997, a construction management faculty member achieved the rank of associate professor. By 1999, the program had expanded to include a Bachelor's Degree (BS) in Construction Management Technology, and the student body had grown significantly, prompting the program to become an evening program to accommodate students working in the industry. The program was granted candidate status by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) in December 1999.

Key Milestones

• In 2000, the program received a one-million-dollar gift from the Jack B. Parson family, leading to its renaming as the Parson Construction Management Technology program.
• By 2002, enrollment had grown to over 150 students, and a third faculty member was hired.
• In 2004, enrollment exceeded 200 students, and a fourth faculty member was added.
• 2005 marked the first year students from the program competed in the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region 6 Student Competition, and a Construction Management faculty member was granted tenure.
• The program received a five-year accreditation from the American Council of Construction Education in 2006.
• By 2009, enrollment had grown to over 260 students, and a fifth faculty member was hired. This year also saw a construction management faculty member achieve the rank of full professor.
• The Utah State Board of Regents approved a Facilities Management emphasis for the construction management BS degree in the spring of 2009.

Accreditation and Departmental Changes

• The program was reaccredited by the American Council of Construction Education in 2011.
• In 2011, the program became the Department of Construction Management Technology, later renamed the Department of Construction and Building Sciences.
• Due to declining enrollments resulting from the 2007 financial crisis, the program lost a faculty position in 2011, bringing the number of faculty to four in construction management and one in facilities management.
• The program moved to a new building on WSU's Davis campus in 2013.
• The program's accreditation expired in 2016 and was not renewed.

Program Operation and Graduation Rates

The program has been in operation for over 20 years and has awarded 638 BS degrees. The first BS degree was granted in December 2000. The bachelor's degree graduation rates per semester are as follows: Year | Summer | Fall | Spring | Total -----|-------|------|--------|------ 2004 | -4 | 3 | 2 | 1 2005 | -17 | 5 | 8 | -4 2006 | 5 | 11 | 2 | 18 2007 | 7 | -13 | -12 | -18 2008 | -11 | -10 | -09 | -30 2009 | 9 | 12 | 29 | 50 2010 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 11 2011 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 2012 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 7 2013 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 7

Conclusion

The Construction Management program at WSU has experienced significant growth and development since its inception in 1996. Despite facing challenges, including the loss of accreditation in 2016, the program has a long history of providing quality education, as evidenced by its accreditation history and the number of graduates. The program's future plans and strategies for revitalization are crucial for its continued success and relevance in the field of construction management.