The construction industry is growing and those who have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in construction management are highly sought after. These degrees provide the technical knowledge to interact with design professionals like engineers and architects and also the managerial skills to oversee the skilled tradesmen who perform the actual construction work.

A typical construction degree curriculum starts with an exploratory core before moving on to specific courses in construction that give you the technical skills needed for building a structure from scratch. You can also take classes in advanced engineering subjects like structural analysis and modeling. Many programs give students the chance to gain practical experience by working with local businesses on real-world projects or taking part in design competitions for students.

In certain courses, you’ll be Bonuses collaborating with other students to design, conceptualize and present a construction idea before an audience of judges during your senior year. This is a great way to expand your professional network and gain experience. It can be a good way to get an offer of employment prior to graduation.

You can also choose to specialize in a particular area like civil engineering, green building, sustainability or construction and materials technology. Specialized programs will prepare you for positions like research and development, design, estimates and cost control. Doctorate degrees in construction management usually last three to five years in length and contain a significant amount of research for your dissertation. Some programs provide teaching assistantships and graduate assistantships to help you pay for tuition.