Construction projects of any scale require precise planning and management to ensure that work gets done on time and on budget. And with many moving parts and workers tackling various tasks from day to day, having a capable construction manager is the foundation for success on the job site.
To learn these job skills and start your career in construction management, there are a few different paths you can take — either earn a construction management certificate or a construction management degree. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, but how can you know which one is right for you? Read on for 10 points to consider in pursuit of a construction project management job.
The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), the leading professional association for construction project managers, defines this role as “a professional service that provides a project’s owner(s) with effective management of the project’s schedule, cost, quality, safety, scope, and function. Construction management is compatible with all project delivery methods, and no matter the setting, a Construction Manager’s (CMs) responsibility is to be the owner and to manage a successful project.”
Day to day, construction project managers plan, coordinate, budget and supervise construction projects from start to finish. They coordinate and oversee construction of residential, commercial and industrial structures, and even a wide variety of additional projects such as roads, bridges and infrastructure.
The specific duties of a construction project manager, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, typically include the following:
YES! Earning a construction management certificate will equip you with the skills, strategies and insights needed to be successful in a career as a construction project manager. However, it will largely depend on where you earn this certificate — during your search, seek out construction management certificate programs that offer:
In a certificate program, you will learn much of the same content and concepts that you would in a formal degree program. The upside of a certificate program, though, is that you can complete the program in a fraction of the time. What’s more, because certificate programs run in shorter intervals, practitioners are more frequently updating and refreshing their curricula. That means you’re learning the most up-to-date and relevant concepts in construction management.
Construction Management Certificate Pros & Cons
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Yes, it can be, for the right person in the right circumstances. Pursuing higher education of any kind is a wise investment in your future, so of course earning a degree in construction management is a good choice. But, pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree is much different than earning a certificate.
Earning a construction management degree will take years and cost tens of thousands of dollars. There are scholarships available and some companies offer tuition reimbursement programs, which can help offset the cost. Certificates and degree programs cover the same content, but degree programs will likely prepare you for more leadership-type roles. So depending on what your career goals are, a construction management degree can prove to be worthwhile.
Construction Project Management Degree Pros & Cons
Construction Management Certificate vs. Degree Comparison Table
One of the most appealing aspects of a career in construction management is that no two days will be exactly the same. You will work on many different types of projects of varying sizes and scopes, keeping your day-to-day interesting and exciting. On the whole, some of the most common job sites you will find yourself on include:
The even better news about a construction project management career is that you will be in high demand. The Project Management Institute’s Job Growth and Talent Gap in Project Management report forecasts a 33% increase in construction project management jobs, which equals nearly 22 million new jobs by the year 2027.
And because there is such high demand for these positions, compensation is also on the rise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median annual salaries of $95,260 for construction managers, with the top 10% earning more than $164,790.
The discipline of initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing the work of a team to achieve specific goals and meet specific success criteria.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a construction manager is someone who “coordinates and supervises a variety of projects, including building public, residential, commercial, and industrial structures as well as roads and bridges. Either a general contractor or a construction manager oversees the construction phase of a project, including personnel, but a construction manager may also consult with the client during the design phase to help refine construction plans and control costs.”
Initiation, planning, implementation, performance and monitoring, and closing.
Anyone can enroll in the USD Construction Management certificate program. However, it helps to either be working in construction planning or managing, or those who aspire to do so. Typical backgrounds of people who have enrolled in this program include:
A: To earn a construction management certificate from USD, you must complete the following five courses with a final grade of C+ or better and have attended a minimum of 70% of scheduled class time.
Yes, but you must enroll in the first course in the sequence, Project Management Fundamentals, before moving on to the next course.
Approximately 10 months.
Approximately $2,488 – $3,140.
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