Individuals who want to work in middle- and upper-level facilities and project management positions such as those of construction superintendent or project engineer in construction should complete a master's degree in this field. Construction management master's degree programs typically take about two years to complete and require students to accumulate 30 to 36 credits. Master's degree programs in construction management additionally are available online through schools such as Florida International University.
To get into a master's degree program in construction management, students must have a four-year bachelor's degree. Although a four-year degree in construction management, architecture or engineering usually is not required, individuals who have one of these degrees complete their graduate degree programs in shorter amounts of time because they do not have to take beginning construction courses.
Schools such as Purdue University in Indiana want students to submit scores on the Graduate Record Exam or Graduate Management Admission Test as well as a resume and recommendation letters. Some schools actually want students to present a portfolio proving their experience in construction/project management. Graduate school applicants usually need to have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for admission.
Classes in a master's degree program in construction management cover topics such as construction materials, construction methods, industry drawings, accounting and cost estimation. Students additionally learn about construction legal issues and economic planning along with construction safety, contract law, labor relations and construction engineering. These courses prepare students to seek voluntary certification through organizations such as the Construction Management Association of America, which boosts employment opportunities (see Resources).
As part of a master's degree program in construction management, students typically have the opportunity to choose a thesis or a non-thesis option. A thesis option requires students to complete several course hours of thesis work, which involves doing original research on a topic in the construction management field. Meanwhile, non-thesis option students complete several course hours of independent study.