The  Construction Management major at CSU is one of the top-recognized programs in the nation. Since its inception in 1946, more than 6,000 students have graduated, many of them going on to become leaders in their field. The program is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education.

Construction management is the overall planning, coordination, and control of a project from inception to completion. The Construction Management major addresses issues related to the management of multiple project sites and the applications of resource management, schedule control, cost control, design, and other requirements of the construction process. Design elements concentrate on the relationship between the built environment and the comfort of its inhabitants while safety education emphasizes the health of the individual worker.

A  Construction Management major provides a strong foundation for professional careers in the construction industry. The curriculum integrates technology and innovative management systems with the basics of civil engineering, business and management, and the communication skills required to be successful in today’s world. Coursework includes construction methods, estimating, scheduling, computer technologies, architectural principles, fundamentals of management and law, steel and concrete structures, and soils. The curriculum incorporates hands-on labs for most courses. This diverse program creates a broad range of career options for graduates.

The Construction Management major is controlled, and all students admitted to CSU or seeking to change their major must first be designated as pre-construction management. The minimum criteria for the Construction Management major are: 

  • Complete a minimum of 15 credits at CSU
  • Earn a minimum 2.750 cumulative CSU GPA
  • Complete CON 101 with a “B” grade or better
  • Complete CO 150 with a “B” grade or better
  • Complete MATH 125 with a “C” grade or better

Once a student has met the minimum requirements listed above, they are eligible to apply to the Construction Management program.  Since the Construction Management major does have controlled enrollment, students meeting the above minimum requirements are admitted based on their overall academic performance and space availability.  

During their academic career, Construction Management students are required to obtain an internship (full-time structured work experience) position with any one of a variety of construction companies and organizations. Our Phelps Placement Office assists current and graduating students, as well as alumni.

Learning Outcomes

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
     

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 as listed below:

  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 construction documents for the planning and management of construction processes.
  8. Analyze the methods, materials, and equipment used to construct projects.
  9. Apply construction management skills as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
  10. Apply electronic‐based technology to manage the construction process.
  11. Apply basic surveying techniques for construction layout and control.
  12. Understand different methods of project delivery and the roles and responsibilities of all constituencies involved in the design and construction process.
  13. Understand construction risk management.
  14. Understand construction accounting and cost control.
  15. Understand construction quality assurance and control.
  16. Understand construction project control processes.
  17. Understand the legal implications of the contract, common, and regulatory law to manage a construction project.
  18. Understand the basic principles of sustainable construction.
  19. Understand the basic principles of structural behavior.
  20. Understand the basic principles of mechanical, electrical, and piping 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. 

The Construction Management department prides itself on its in-house intern and job search assistance and counseling. Construction Management continues to boast one of the highest placement rates and entry-level salaries of all majors.

Services provided by the Phelps Placement Office include:

  • Construction industry career fair hosted each semester
  • On-campus interviews and information sessions
  • Individual career counseling and assessment
  • Job and internship search strategies
  • Resume and business correspondence resources
  • Year-round intern and job postings

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, and assistant superintendent. Recruiting Industries include Commercial, Heavy Civil and Heavy Highway, Industrial and Utility, Mechanical and Electrical, Project Controls and Consulting, Residential Development, Specialty Contracting, and Transportation.

Students may consider simultaneously completing the requirements for a minor in Business Administration. Several of the courses required for the minor in Business Administration are also required for the major in Construction Management curriculum.

Learn more about the Construction Management major on the Department of Construction Management website.

Effective Fall 2022

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

  • Earn a minimum 2.750 cumulative CSU GPA

  • Complete CON 101 , Introduction to Construction Management, with a "B" grade or better

  • Complete CO 150, College Composition, with a "B" grade or better

  • Complete MATH 125, Numerical Trigonometry, with a "C" grade or better

​Besides  CON 101, Pre‐Construction Management students are not able to take CON courses until fully admitted to Construction Management.

Freshman
AUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
CON 101Introduction to Construction Management 3
CON 131Graphic Communications for Construction 2
CON 151Construction Materials and Methods 3
CON 192Construction Management Seminar 1
ECON 202Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)3C3
GEOL 121Introductory Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1)3A1
MATH 117College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1)1B1
MATH 118College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1)1B1
MATH 125Numerical Trigonometry (GT-MA1)1B1
Select one course from the following: 3
Exploring Earth - Physical Geology (GT-SC2)3A 
The Blue Planet - Geology of Our Environment (GT-SC2)3A 
Geology of Natural Resources (GT-SC2)3A 
Arts and Humanities3B3
Historical Perspectives3D3
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion1C3
 Total Credits 31
Sophomore
 
ACT 205Fundamentals of Accounting 3
BUS 205Legal and Ethical Issues in Business 3
CON 251Materials Testing and Processing 2
CON 265Plan Reading and Quantity Survey 3
CON 317Safety Management 2
MATH 141Calculus in Management Sciences (GT-MA1)1B3
PH 110Physics of Everyday Phenomena (GT-SC2)3A3
PH 111Physics of Everyday Phenomena Laboratory (GT-SC1)3A1
SPCM 200Public Speaking 3
Select one group from the following: 5
Group A:  
Construction Surveying  
Construction Field Management  
Group B:  
Surveying and Construction Layout  
Field Management for Construction  
Arts and Humanities3B3
 Total Credits 31
Junior
 
CON 267Construction Management Pre-Internship 1
CON 360Electrical Systems in Construction 3
CON 365Construction Estimating4A3
CON 366Construction Equipment and Methods 3
CON 367Construction Contracts/Project Administration4B3
CON 371Mechanical and Plumbing Systems 3
Select one course from the following: 3-4
Structural Systems for Construction I  
Structures I  
Select one group (6 credits) from the following:1 6
Group A  
Internship: Construction Management I  
Group B  
Internship: Construction Management II  
CON Elective
  
Select one course from the following: 3
General Statistics (GT-MA1)1B 
Statistics With Business Applications (GT-MA1)1B 
CON Elective 3
 Total Credits 31-32
Senior
 
CON 461Construction Scheduling4A3
CON 462Financial Management for Construction 3
CON 465Construction Management Professional Practice4C3
CON 469Soil Mechanics for Construction 3
MGT 305Fundamentals of Management 3
MGT 473Employment Relations: Labor and Management 3
Select one course from the following: 3-4
Structural Systems for Construction II  
Structures II  
Advanced Writing23
Electives2 1-3
 Total Credits 26-27
 Program Total Credits: 120
1

The required internship may be completed in different terms in consultation with an advisor.

2

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

 

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
Every student pursuing the Construction Management (CM) major will start as Pre‐Construction Management and must meet the following admission requirements before being fully admitted to the Construction Management major:

  • Earn a minimum 2.750 cumulative CSU GPA

  • Complete CON 101, Introduction to Construction Management, with a "B" grade or better

  • Complete CO 150, College Composition, with a "B" grade or better

  • Complete MATH 125, Numerical Trigonometry, with a "C" grade or better

​Besides CON 101, Pre‐Construction Management students are not able to take CON courses until fully admitted to Construction Management.

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) petition for Internship Reduction Packet by the last Friday of October during the fall semester prior to the internship experience. 

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)X 1A3
CON 101Introduction to Construction ManagementX  3
MATH 117College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1)X 1B1
MATH 118College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1)X 1B1
MATH 125Numerical Trigonometry (GT-MA1)X 1B1
Arts and Humanities X3B3
Historical Perspectives X3D3
CON 101, CO 150 and MATH 125 must be completed by the end of Semester 1X   
 Total Credits   15
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CON 131Graphic Communications for ConstructionX  2
CON 151Construction Materials and MethodsX  3
CON 192Construction Management Seminar X 1
ECON 202Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)  3C3
GEOL 121Introductory Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1)  3A1
Select one course from the following:   3
Exploring Earth - Physical Geology (GT-SC2)  3A 
The Blue Planet - Geology of Our Environment (GT-SC2)  3A 
Geology of Natural Resources (GT-SC2)  3A 
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion  1C3
 Total Credits   16
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
BUS 205Legal and Ethical Issues in Business   3
CON 251Materials Testing and ProcessingX  2
MATH 141Calculus in Management Sciences (GT-MA1)  1B3
SPCM 200Public Speaking   3
Select one course from the following:   2-3
Construction SurveyingX   
Surveying and Construction Layout    
Arts and Humanities   3
Admission to Construction Management major required by the end of Semester 3.X   
 Total Credits   17
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ACT 205Fundamentals of Accounting   3
CON 265Plan Reading and Quantity SurveyX  3
CON 317Safety ManagementX  2
PH 110Physics of Everyday Phenomena (GT-SC2)  3A3
PH 111Physics of Everyday Phenomena Laboratory (GT-SC1)  3A1
Select one course from the following:   2-3
Construction Field ManagementX   
Field Management for Construction    
If taking CON 487B (3 credits), obtain Petition for Internship Reduction Packet from CM Advising Office    
 Total Credits   14
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CON 360Electrical Systems in ConstructionX  3
Select one course from the following:   3-4
Structural Systems for Construction I    
Structures IX   
Select 6 credits from the following:   6
Group A    
Internship: Construction Management IX   
Group B    
Internship: Construction Management IIX   
CON Elective
    
Select one course from the following:   3
General Statistics (GT-MA1)  1B 
Statistics With Business Applications (GT-MA1)  1B 
If taking CON 487B (3 credit), complete the Petition for Internship Reduction Packet and submit to Phelps Placement Office no later than the last Friday in October the fall semester before your internship.    
 Total Credits   15-16
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CON 267Construction Management Pre-InternshipX  1
CON 365Construction EstimatingX 4A3
CON 366Construction Equipment and Methods X 3
CON 367Construction Contracts/Project AdministrationX 4B3
CON 371Mechanical and Plumbing Systems   3
CON Elective   3
 Total Credits   16
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CON 461Construction SchedulingX 4A3
MGT 305Fundamentals of Management   3
MGT 473Employment Relations: Labor and Management   3
Select one course from the following:   3-4
Structural Systems for Construction II    
Structures II    
 Total Credits   12-13
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CON 462Financial Management for ConstructionX  3
CON 465Construction Management Professional PracticeX 4C3
CON 469Soil Mechanics for ConstructionX  3
Advanced Writing   23
Electives   1-3
 Total Credits   14
 Program Total Credits:   120