Program Overview

Overview of the Construction Management Major

The Construction Management major at Colorado State University (CSU) is a top-recognized program in the nation, with over 6,000 graduates since its inception in 1946. The program is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education and addresses issues related to the management of multiple project sites, resource management, schedule control, cost control, design, and other requirements of the construction process.

Program Description

Construction Management (CM) is the overall planning, coordination, and control of a project from inception to completion. The Construction Management major provides a strong foundation for professional careers in the construction industry, integrating technology and innovative management systems with the basics of civil engineering, business and management, and communication skills required to be successful in today's world.

Entrance Requirements

Every student pursuing the Construction Management major will start as Pre-Construction Management (Pre-CM) and must meet the following entrance requirements before being fully admitted to the Construction Management major:

1. Earn a minimum 2.50 cumulative CSU GPA, and a 2.75 Pre-CM GPA.
2. Construction Management requirement, must meet ALL:

• Complete CON 101 with a "B-" grade or better; or earned a "B-" grade or better in an approved CON 101 transfer substitution course as reviewed and approved by the CM Curriculum Committee.
• Complete CON 132 with a "C" grade or better.
• Complete CON 151 with a "C" grade or better.

3. Written Communication requirement, must meet ONE:

• Complete CO 130 with a "C" grade or better.
• Complete CO 150 with a "C" grade or better.
• Complete AUCC Category 2: Advanced Writing with a "C" grade or better.
• Complete HONR 192 with a "C" grade or better.
• Complete HONR 193 with a "C" grade or better.
• Earned credit from concurrent enrollment or transfer coursework in CO 130, CO 150, or AUCC Category 2: Advanced Writing with a grade of "C" or better.
• Earned credit for CO 130 or CO 150 from placement exam, or AP score of 3 or higher.

4. Mathematics requirement, must meet ONE:

• Complete MATH 125 with a "C" grade or better.
• Complete MATH 127 with a "C" grade or better.
• Complete MATH 160 with a grade of "C" or better.
• Earned credit from concurrent enrollment or transfer coursework in MATH 125, MATH 127, MATH 160, or other higher level mathematics course that has MATH 125 as a prerequisite, with a grade of "C" or better.
• Place out of, or earn credit for, MATH 125 or higher-level math on the Math Placement Tool, CLEP, or AP exam.

Learning Objectives

Students will develop and demonstrate:

• Professional, analytical, and problem-solving skills related to the career requirements in construction management.
• Strong professional communication skills with an emphasis on written, graphic, and verbal skills related to the career requirements in construction management.
• Technical proficiency in the following construction management areas: design/engineering, management, materials, methods, estimating, scheduling, safety, surveying, and project administration.

Accreditation

The Construction Management undergraduate program is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) and satisfies the requirements of ACCE's mandated Student Learning Outcomes.

Student Learning Outcomes

The program satisfies the following Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Create written communications appropriate to the construction discipline.
2. Create oral presentations appropriate to the construction discipline.
3. Create a construction project safety plan.
4. Create construction project cost estimates.
5. Create construction project schedules.
6. Analyze professional decisions based on ethical principles.
7. Analyze methods, materials, and equipment used to construct projects.
8. Apply electronic-based technology to manage the construction process.
9. Apply basic surveying techniques for construction layout and control.
10. Understand different methods of project delivery and the roles and responsibilities of all constituencies involved in the design and construction process.
11. Understand construction accounting and cost control.
12. Understand construction quality assurance and control.
13. Understand construction project control processes.
14. Understand the legal implications of contract, common, and regulatory law to manage a construction project.
15. Understand the basic principles of sustainable construction.
16. Understand the basic principles of structural behavior.
17. Understand the basic principles of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Potential Occupations

The construction industry has become a highly technical industry marked by continuous and dramatic change. There is a continued demand for capable and highly trained construction management professionals who can adapt and become effective leaders in the field. Entry-level occupations include, but are not limited to:

• Field engineer
• Assistant estimator
• Project scheduler
• Cost control engineer
• Safety engineer
• Project supervisor
• Project coordinator
• Quality assurance specialist
• Project engineer
• Assistant project manager
• Assistant superintendent

Curriculum

The curriculum includes a range of courses, such as:

• Construction methods
• Estimating
• Scheduling
• Computer technologies
• Architectural principles
• Fundamentals of management and law
• Steel and concrete structures
• Soils The curriculum incorporates hands-on labs for most courses.

Internship

There is a required internship that takes place prior to the student's graduation. Students must complete CON 487A (6-credit), or CON 487B (3-credit) and a Petition for Internship Reduction by August 31st during the Fall semester prior to the CON 487B internship experience.

Program Total Credits

The program requires a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level). Students must select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits.