Program Overview

Construction Management, PhD

The Del E. Webb School of Construction has one of the top construction management doctoral programs in the United States. It provides a rigorous education and teaching environment for students seeking an advanced degree.

Program Description

The Doctor of Philosophy program in construction management requires novel, independent research that broadly contributes to the construction management body of knowledge. Transdisciplinary research is often required because of the nature of the topics studied. Students can focus their elective coursework in emphasis areas such as heavy construction, commercial and residential construction, and specialty construction.

STEM-OPT for International Students

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S.

At a Glance

• College/school: Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

Degree Requirements

The doctoral program in construction typically requires three to four years of full-time study and research beyond the master's degree. Generally, students are admitted to the doctoral program at or near the completion of their master's degree.

• The program requires 84 credit hours post-bachelor's degree or 54 credit hours post-master's degree.
• The program consists of:
  • core construction courses
  • elective courses
  • a qualifying examination
  • a written and oral comprehensive examination
  • admission to candidacy
  • successful defense of a dissertation prospectus and complete dissertation

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
• Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a master's degree in construction, civil engineering, architecture, business, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Only exceptional students are admitted without a master's degree. At the discretion of the admission committee, students from other disciplines also may be eligible.
• Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
• All applicants must submit:
  • graduate admission application and application fee
  • official transcripts
  • official GRE scores
  • a current resume
  • an evaluation of the student's academic and professional background
  • master's degree thesis abstract
  • personal statement
  • research interests
  • three letters of recommendation
  • proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Application Deadlines

• Fall:
  • Session A/C: In Person, Deadline: 01/01, Type: Priority
• Spring:
  • Session A/C: In Person, Deadline: 07/01, Type: Priority

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the doctoral program have careers in architecture; engineering and construction industries; academia; and local, state, and federal government. The program provides a foundation for those who wish to pursue careers as project managers, project engineers, estimators, or schedulers and eventually become principals of firms engaged in the construction of industrial, commercial, or residential projects.

• The heavy construction emphasis area prepares graduates for careers related to public works, such as highways, airports, bridges, utility systems, and water or waste treatment facilities.
• The commercial and residential emphasis prepares graduates for careers in real estate development, home production systems, commercial construction, and health care and special industrial building projects, and to enter the sustainable or green construction market.
• The specialty construction emphasis prepares graduates for organization, leadership, and management of the building process at the subcontractor level and for careers as contractors working with mechanical and electrical systems. This emphasis also prepares graduates for careers in management at specialty contracting firms, such as those that deal with control systems; electrical distribution; or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for large and complex facilities, including data centers, health care organizations, and semiconductor manufacturing plants, as well as commercial facilities.