Construction Management MS

Two women wearing hard hats that say RIT look down at tablet computers. They are standing in from of a construction site.
 

Construction Management: Online
Master of science degree

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Online Admissions Contact

Karen Palmer, Graduate and Online Recruitment Coordinator
585-475-5656,

Schedule Advising Session

Offered within the
Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management and Safety

A degree driven by real-time employer demand

Construction management jobs will grow 11% by 2030, double the overall labor market growth. Search our curriculum and you’ll find the expertise and skills posted by employers in this growing field.

The construction management job market

88k+

Annual Salary for these Jobs

11%

Employment Growth in this Field

97%

Graduate Outcomes Rate at RIT

40%

Demand Growth for Quality Control

Program Highlights

40% of overall energy usage in the US comes from aging infrastructure. There is a growing need to address energy efficiency in buildings, and demand for new construction.

The master of science in construction management provides a depth and breadth in the managerial, technological, economic, and environmental aspects of construction. With an emphasis on operations and company-level management, this advanced degree from RIT offers courses to enhance understanding in construction, facilities management, and related fields.

Designed for working professionals, this 100% online, flexible degree provides the requisite strategic skills to lead and advance in the industry. You will develop competencies in the context of the field in leadership, innovative technology, cost analysis and control, operations management and productivity, business development, and client relationship building. The curriculum includes core courses, professional electives, and a choice of a thesis, capstone project, or comprehensive exam.

In-demand areas of focus include:

  • Construction Project Management
  • Facilities Management
  • Environmental Health and Safety Management
  • Business Management/Leadership

Curriculum packed with high-demand skills

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Contract Management

Contract management skills yield a salary premium in the marketplace, and demand for contract preparation skills is growing by 60%.

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Project Management

Project management skills are requested in 60% of postings for Construction Managers.

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Facilities Management

Demand for occupational health and safety skills is growing by 19%.

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Quality

Demand for quality assurance and control skills is growing by 40%.

Curriculum

CONM-650
Principles of Construction Leadership and Management
Credits 3
Introduction to leadership and management principles applicable to the construction industry including those associated with strategic planning, construction processes, communications, ethical behavior, human resources development, financial management, and risk management. There will be an emphasis on safety and loss prevention management, insurance and risk management, marketing construction services, and bonding requirements for construction companies.
CONM-690
Sustainable Building Construction and Design
Credits 3
This course will prepare students to critically assess and prepare written communications regarding the current and evolving understandings, practices, and potentials of sustainable building construction and design and prepare them with the skills to determine and communicate value-to-cost differences between “green” and conventional designs. Students will also be able to understand the role of construction managers in the design and construction of buildings while incorporating sustainable strategies.
CONM-718
Construction Operations and Productivity
Credits 3
A study of construction operations with emphasis on productivity enhancement focusing on an integrated approach to planning, modeling, analysis, and design of construction operations. This includes productivity concepts; data collection; analysis of productivity data and factors affecting productivity; means for improving production and study of productivity improvement programs.
CONM-720
Construction Cost Analysis and Management
Credits 3
A logistical study of pre-construction cost analysis and construction management procedures, including conceptual estimating, project cost analysis and control, value engineering, life-cycle costing, feasibility studies, project financial and economic modeling, and quantitative risk analysis techniques.
GRCS-701
Research Methods
Credits 3
This is an introductory graduate-level survey course on research design/methods and analysis. The course provides a broad overview of the process and practices of research in applied contexts. Content includes principles and techniques of research design, sampling, data collection, and analysis including the nature of evidence, types of research, defining research questions, sampling techniques, data collection, data analysis, issues concerning human subjects and research ethics, and challenges associated with conducting research in real-world contexts. The analysis component of the course provides an understanding of statistical methodology used to collect and interpret data found in research as well as how to read and interpret data collection instruments.

Electives and Final Assessment

 
Professional Electives
Credits 9-12
 
Comprehensive Exam, Graduate Project, or Thesis
Credits 0-3

Admission Requirements

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in construction management, civil engineering, civil engineering technology or related program that includes at least 15 semester hours of college-level math and science.  Applicants holding other bachelor degrees with appropriate, related work experience will be considered for admission on an individual basis,
  • Have coursework or equivalent documented professional experience in cost estimating, planning & scheduling and project management.  
  • Business/management courses and a statistics course are strongly recommended.
  • Have at least one-year relevant construction management experience. Those who lack appropriate work experience may be required to complete one or more semesters of related graduate co-operative work experience;
  • If academic and/or work preparation is needed before being admitted and beginning graduate studies, applicants are encouraged to develop a plan with the program chair. Preparatory course(s) may be completed at RIT or with pre-approval may be completed at other universities. Each course must be completed with a grade of B or higher.
  • Submit a completed, official graduate application, accompanied by official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work;
  • International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 570 on the written exam, 230 on the electronic version of the exam, or 88 on the internet version of the exam is required.

Cost

The online MS Construction Management requires 30 credits and costs $1,237 per credit hour (Academic Year 2021 – 2022).This tuition reflects the RIT Online discount of 43% off the traditional campus-based program cost.

Keep in mind that there are many options available that may help you lower your costs including:

  • Military tuition benefits
  • Support from employers 
  • Private scholarships 
  • Financing 

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