If you want to take your career in the construction industry to the next level, then you might consider pursuing a construction management degree online. The right construction management degree can give you the skills and expertise necessary to lead construction teams. Additionally, it will bolster your professional prospects.
However, there are many different online construction management degrees to choose from. Read on for more information about online construction management degrees. We’ll look at the most affordable online construction management programs at each degree level, from associate to master’s. Not to mention, we will also discuss how to find the best program for you. The different types of construction degrees will be discussed, as well as program accreditation.
Article Navigation: Why Get an Online Construction Management Degree? | Construction Management Certificate vs. Degree | Types of Construction Management Online Degrees | ACCE Accreditation | Cheapest Online Construction Management Degrees – Associate; Bachelor; Master | Licensing & Certification | FAQs
Why Get an Online Construction Management Degree?
The best online construction management degree programs equip you with the skills as well as the industry expertise necessary to manage on-site construction projects. Every construction project requires at least one supervisor or construction manager. This professional oversees the budget, staffing, project steps, and client updates. Being a construction manager includes common duties and responsibilities such as:
- Maintaining and reporting work progress and budget matters to clients
- Preparing budgets and cost estimates
- Explaining contracts and technical info to collaborating professionals
- Responding to and solving work delays or emergencies
- Choosing subcontractors and staff members
- Ensuring that projects complete on time
Many construction professionals acquire these skills through on-site experience. You can also qualify for construction management positions by acquiring the right degree. An online degree construction management will give you the knowledge necessary to thrive in these positions. Hence, it is similar to working in the industry for several years.
Most important, the best online construction management degrees allow you to specialize or concentrate your degree in areas like budgetary strategies or on-site safety. Many competitive construction management positions look for candidates who stand out from the others. Therefore, an online construction management degree plus some industry experience will qualify you for the highest-paying, most desirable positions at companies.
To become a construction manager, you will need to start either with a degree or experience. You need 2 to 6 years of experience managing or supervising construction sites. Or you need a bachelor’s degree in construction management (or a combination of both). If you want to lead large teams or take on administrative/high-level work in construction firms, then a master’s degree is beneficial.
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- East Mississippi Community College Associate of Arts (AA) - Architecture Emphasis
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Online Construction Management Degree vs. Certificate
Deciding between a certificate or degree depends on your career goals, time and financial constraints, and previous education. For instance, construction management online certificates are shorter length, more concentrated programs. They usually take between one to two years to complete. Additionally, they teach you specific skills to help you thrive in the construction management profession. Construction management online certificates are available in subjects such as:
- Project scope and scheduling
- Project management fundamentals
- Stakeholder and financial management
- Construction project resource management
- Construction project client communication strategies
In contrast, online construction management degree programs take between two and six years to complete. They are more comprehensive and may help you break into this industry if you don’t have industry experience.
An online bachelor’s degree in construction management usually takes four years to complete from start to finish. This assumes that the student has no associate degree or previously completed classes. An online construction management master’s degree is another two years afterward. It takes a total of six years of education to get both. Again, this assumes no break or “gap year” between acquiring the degrees.
A construction management online certificate is best if you already have several years of experience in the construction industry. If you want to take on more managerial jobs (such as contractor supervisor or head contractor) without spending 4-6 years getting a degree, then It is a great option. A construction management online degree is ideal if you want to learn the academic foundations behind many construction management topics while also gaining job experience.
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- Mohawk Valley Community College Certificate in School Facilities Management
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Types of Online Construction Management Degrees
Construction management online degrees are available from the associate to the master’s level and beyond. Here’s a breakdown of each type of construction degree and what they require.
Online Construction Management Associate’s Degree
Associate-level construction management degrees take two years to complete and are entry-level. Because it only takes two years to complete, it is one of the fastest online construction management degree programs. They’re ideal for high school students who want to enter the construction industry. Additionally, they are great for working professionals who want to eventually earn a higher degree. Online construction management associate’s degrees are not usually enough to qualify a construction worker as a manager unless they have several years of experience.
Most associate-level degrees are between 60 and 70 credits in total. Most credits can be transferred to bachelor’s programs. They cover topics such as building modeling, structural principles, bid preparation, and construction methods and materials. Most accredited associate-level programs require hands-on internships at construction sites. Internships are beneficial since construction managers require on-the-job experience. These internships are usually around 200 hours of work.
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- East Mississippi Community College Associate of Arts (AA) - Architecture Emphasis
- San Joaquin Valley College Associate of Science in Construction Management
Online Construction Management Bachelor’s Degree
As a matter of fact, bachelor’s degrees in construction management are oftentimes needed for construction manager positions (in conjunction with on-site experience). They are four years in length. This includes the two years of an associate degree. Bachelor’s degrees typically require up to 120 credits of online construction management coursework.
Most online bachelor’s in construction management degrees include interdisciplinary coursework. The coursework covers topics like construction site policies, budgetary practices, cost estimation, soils in construction, and contemporary construction methods and issues. Bachelor’s degrees usually require the completion of an internship of three months, 12 weeks, or 480 hours of work. Furthermore, internships usually occur in the summer months of the junior and/or senior years.
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- American Public University System Bachelor of Business Administration / Real Estate Construction & Portfolio Development
- Purdue Global Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Construction Management
Construction Management Master’s Degree Online
Master’s in construction management are graduate-level. They are not commonly required for construction manager positions. However, they can still be beneficial for construction workers who want to set themselves apart from competing professionals. If you study construction management online at the graduate level, then you’ll need to complete 60 credits in total.
Master’s degrees take another two years to complete on average after earning a bachelor’s degree. They are one of the fastest online construction management degree programs available. They can also be some of the most affordable. Tuition rates for accredited online master’s in construction management can be less than $10,000.
An online master’s covers advanced topics in the construction management industry. Such topics include accounting and finance, construction building systems, construction planning and scheduling, and construction budgeting and estimating.
Some master’s programs are specialized in construction management. Others are concentrations of Master of Business Administration degrees. Many of these programs require the submission of GRE test scores, as well as, letters of recommendation from current or former job supervisors.
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- Southern New Hampshire University Master of Science in Management / Construction Management
- Norwich University Master of Business Administration / Construction Management
ACCE Construction Management Accreditation
The best online construction management degree programs are accredited by ACCE, the American Council for Construction Education. This accrediting body sets the standards used to determine a construction program rigor and academic value throughout the country. If you want your degree to count in the eyes of your employer, then make sure the program is ACCE accredited.
ACCE accreditation is essential as it shows your education meets standards in terms of course quality, topic relevance/modernity, and practical experience requirements (i.e., you had to complete a practical internship of around 480 on-site hours).
To check if a given construction management program is accredited by the ACCE, then go to ACCE’s official program resources.
ACCE Accredited Online Master’s in Construction Management
East Carolina University, Master of Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $8,673.30
East Carolina University’s MS in Construction Management is a 100% online program. Each class is taught by an industry expert. Before admission, students must submit two letters of recommendation, a detailed resume, and a statement of purpose to qualify.
Students will complete courses covering topics like construction equipment management and construction documents and analysis or blueprint reading. The program invites frequent guest speakers. As a result, students can ask questions of working professionals already in the industry. The program is 30 credit hours in total. ACCE accredits this program.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College – Master of Science in Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $29,304.00
LSU’s MS in Construction Management online program is accredited by ACCE. The program prepares students to be leaders and managers in the construction field. It does this through courses that teach students both technical and interpersonal skills needed to succeed. Offered courses include sustainability, building information modeling, decision-making, and project delivery. The program also offers a robust professional network. Students can take advantage of this network to build industry connections.
This online MS in construction management is 36 credits hours in total. Applicants do not need to submit GRE scores when applying. However, applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA. This ACCE accredited program is an excellent option for those looking to build a career in construction management.
Top 5 Construction Management Associate’s Degree Online
Here are five high-quality construction management associate’s degree online programs. We’ll discuss the per-year tuition prices, accreditation, and program curriculum.
Dakota County Technical College – Associate in Science in Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $12,772.20
Dakota County Technical College’s AS in Construction Management is 60 credits in length. It offers an optional 24-credit certificate on construction codes and inspections. This program is beneficial because it offers Credit for Prior Learning, CPL. Thus, it enables current construction industry workers to count some of their job experiences as course credits.
This online construction management associate’s degree is ideal for aspiring construction managers. It covers topics like engineering, design, and business in the construction industry. Therefore, it helps students prepare themselves to manage large-scale construction projects. The program is located in the Twin Cities or online and is available for full or part-time students. Students may submit applications for the fall or spring semesters. The program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and ACCE.
Harrisburg Area Community College – Associate in Applied Science in Building Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $14,885
Harrisburg Area Community College’s AS in Building Construction Management is a fully online two-year degree. It offers students general knowledge of the overall construction process. Courses cover topics like the basic principles of construction accounting, surveying techniques, construction methods, and safety hazards of construction sites.
This 2-year construction management degree online is only available online. Additionally, it can be started in spring, summer, and fall. It is 60 credits in length, and students can pursue the program on full or part-time schedules depending on their needs. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and ACCE.
Front Range Community College – Associate of Applied Science in Highway Maintenance Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $15,849.40
The AS in Highway Maintenance Management from Front Range Committee College is a specialized degree focusing on highway maintenance work and project management. Therefore, it’s an ideal choice for students who want to bolster their job prospects in this niche arena.
This construction management associate’s degree online takes two-years to complete. The program allows employees to pursue management possessions at the county, state, or federal levels. High school seniors can take a specially designed seminar in road maintenance and public works in order to jump into the program. It covers course topics like preventative measures for highway maintenance, traffic control plans, and highway maintenance and operations activities. The program is located in Westminster, Colorado, and is accredited by the HLC and ACCE.
South Dakota State University – Associate of Science in Construction Technology
Student Fees In-State Total: $21,285
South Dakota State University’s AS in Construction Technology covers topics like applied management, engineering design, and accounting and communications. It’s a two-year program of 60 credits. It’s ideal for high school students looking to jump into this industry. It is also an excellent program for working professionals who want to become construction managers.
This construction management associate’s degree online is a good fit for those who want to become engineering technicians, building inspectors, and site supervisors as well. Students may simultaneously take a preconstruction planning certificate at the undergraduate level for even more resume advantages. The university is accredited by the HLC and ACCE.
Park University – Associate of Science in Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $26,475
Park University offers an AS in Construction Management. It is a two-year, 60-credit degree. It teaches about building and design within the construction management industry. The associate program leads directly to the BS in Construction Management from the same university. Therefore, it is a smooth transition to an undergraduate degree.
The program is ideal for future construction managers, building surveyors, and site engineers. Courses cover topics like building codes, construction estimating, and business laws. This program does not require an internship. However, it does require students to complete a First-Year Seminar, meaning the program is not 100% online. It is accredited by the HLC and ACCE.
Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degree Construction Management
Here are five of the most affordable online construction management bachelor’s degrees with their per-year tuition rates.
Indiana State University – Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $38,472
Indiana State University’s BS in Construction Management covers many vital topics. These include environmental control systems, building design and planning, and theories of forces in building structures. Students must complete 120 credits of coursework. Additionally, they must complete an internship and extracurricular activities. Student organizations offer students various opportunities for leadership and learning. These include opportunities such as the Construction Club and the Mechanical Contractors Association of America.
The program is accredited by the HLC and the ACCE. Students can also take advantage of financial support resources like scholarships and work-study programs. Therefore, it’s among the cheapest online construction management degrees.
University of Southern Mississippi – Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $39,216
The University of Southern Mississippi offers a construction management bachelor degree online. It is a 120-credit degree that can be completed over four years. Furthermore, it’s fully accredited by the ACCE. The program teaches students how to manage construction site workflow, personnel, equipment, and processes. Another key point is that over 20 scholarships are available for those who need financial assistance.
Courses cover topics such as safety, contracts and construction law, structural design and analysis, and construction project management. All students must also complete a 300-hour internship with a host company that already works in the construction industry.
Colorado State University-Pueblo – Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $43,200
Colorado State University’s Pueblo campus offers a construction project management degree online. It’s 120 credit hours in total and is accredited by both the HLC and ACCE. The program usually takes four years to complete but is available for full-time and part-time students as well.
Students will complete courses covering topics like surveying, statics and structures, and construction law. Students must also complete a senior project. They will complete the project in order to understand construction project analysis cost estimating, scheduling, and preparation. They will complete this project for an organization in the local Pueblo economy.
Indian Institute of Technology – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $47,950
The Indiana Institute of Technology’s BS in Business Administration offers a construction management concentration. It includes five relevant courses. These courses cover topics like construction scheduling, construction documents, and construction estimating. Consequently, it’s an ideal program for business professionals who want to run construction firms or contracting teams.
This online bachelor’s construction management is available full-time or part-time, and classes are always six weeks long. Suppose students select the part-time option. Then they will study construction management online on weekends and on weekday evenings. Students must complete a capstone project at the end of the program to graduate rather than a work experience internship. The program is accredited by the HLC, Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, and ACCE.
Purdue University Global – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $54,540
Purdue University offers a BS in Business Administration with a Construction Management concentration. Courses are 10 weeks long, and the program may be completed in 4 to 6 years under full-time or part-time schedules, respectively. Students also benefit from flexible start dates in most months of the year.
Since this is a BA degree with a construction management concentration, only a few courses focus on the construction management industry. Students can benefit from excellent financial aid offerings. They will gain understanding of business management topics and practices due to the program’s core course selection. The program is accredited by the HLC and ACCE.
Cheapest Online Construction Management Degree – Master’s Level
Here are the cheapest online construction management degree programs at the master’s level. You’ll see the construction management degree online cost, courses offered, and admission requirements.
Western Carolina University – Master of Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $10,340.10
West Carolina University’s MS in Construction Management offers start dates in December, May, and August. It is 30 credit hours in total. As a result, most students complete it in two years. The GRE is not required for this program.
The program is for professionals already in the commercial and industrial construction industries. This master’s in construction management online can be completed on a part or full-time basis. Students will complete courses covering topics like sustainability and construction and advanced construction finance. Additionally, electives such as construction operations and safety and construction best practices allow students to tailor the degree toward their interests.
University of Arkansas – Master of Science in Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $11,516.40
The University of Arkansas’s MS in Construction Management is 30 credit hours in total. It takes two years to complete on average, but it may be completed on a full-time or part-time schedule. It’s an interdisciplinary program that does not require GRE scores.
Students who complete this construction management master’s degree online will take courses covering topics like the legal aspects of construction and construction safety. Alongside this program, students may complete graduate certificates in project management at the same time.
University of Wisconsin-Stout – Master of Science in Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $14,024.10
The University of Wisconsin’s Stout offers an MS in Construction Management. This career-advancing degree doesn’t require a GRE but does require a GPA of 2.8 or higher. It’s 30 semester hours in total, including nine semester hours which are spent on a research project. Courses include topics like architectural preservation and building codes and regulations.
Students may choose between completing a construction management thesis or finishing a field problem in construction management. Another key point is that students can pursue this master’s in construction management online program full-time or part-time, depending on their needs.
North Dakota State University – Master of Construction Management
Student Fees In-State Total: $15,189.30
North Dakota State University’s Construction Management MS degree is research focused. It consists of 30 credits in total. It comprises 10 courses. Additionally, it has all students complete the Associate Constructor certification exam. However, students may alternatively complete a graduate certificate in construction management from the same school.
This online master’s in construction management can be started in the fall or spring semesters. Besides, the program does require GRE scores. Upon admission, students will complete courses covering topics like construction estimating and construction safety and site quality.
Construction Management Licensing & Certification
You do not strictly need a license or certification to work as a construction manager, especially after earning a degree. Technically, you just need enough experience to meet the approval of your employer.
However, earning recognized industry licenses or certificates can set you apart from other candidates and maximize your employment prospects. Some example certificates to earn after acquiring your degree include:
Certified Construction Manager
This credential is offered by the Construction Management Association of America. You need 48 months of work experience before you can apply for this credential.
Certified Professional Constructor (CPC)
The highest level of certificate you can get through the American Institute of Constructors. You need four years of work experience before you can earn this certificate.
Certified Associate Constructor (CAC)
This certification is also offered by the American Institute of Constructors. You can earn this certificate when you are new to the field.
FAQs
What degree is best for construction management?
The best online construction management degree depends a lot on your personal career goals and your previous education and experience. However, to maximize your employment prospects, get a bachelor’s degree in construction management first. If there is a new position with higher pay requires a graduate-level degree, then pursue a master’s in construction management. In most cases, a bachelor’s with a few years of work experience is enough for the majority of construction management professions.
Are construction management degrees worth it?
Construction management degrees are oftentimes worth it if you want to progress your career in the construction industry. Chiefly, these degrees enable you to take on additional responsibilities and manage other employees at construction worksites. And, you can earn much more money compared to standard subcontractors.
According to Indeed, construction managers with degrees earn approximately 20.93% more money than those without. They earn an average of $84,083 per year. Therefore, it’s almost always worthwhile to get an online construction management degree. Especially, if you know this field will be your permanent or long-term profession, and you want to maximize your salary.
What jobs can you get with a construction management degree?
With a construction degree online in management, you can follow a number of career paths. You can become a construction manager, a civil engineer, a landscape architect, or an architectural or engineering manager depending on your degree’s specialization and completed courses. Your industry experience may also impact which jobs you may qualify for.
What qualifications do you need to be a construction manager?
To be a construction manager, you need two to six years of experience on construction worksites in addition to industry recommendations. Alternatively, you need a bachelor’s or higher degree in construction management to qualify. Additional certificates in construction management are also beneficial when acquiring construction manager positions.
Are construction managers well-paid?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction managers earn around $98,890 on average each year. However, the highest-paid construction managers earn well over $163,000 per year. They are very well-paid compared to other construction industry professionals.
Apply to an Online Construction Management Degree Today!
In conclusion, you can get an online construction management degree from an accredited online university and take your career to the next level. Check out GetEducated’s resources to find the right online program for your budget, schedule, and other needs.