The construction management curriculum has been developed to provide students with a strong foundational knowledge in the areas of construction contract administration and specifications, construction field operations, construction costs and bidding, construction scheduling and project control, construction law and ethics, construction safety and inspection, construction project monitoring and control, and construction project management. Additional coursework includes mathematics, sciences, economics, technical writing, oral communications, and business. (Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, 2019).
Skills and abilities the major develops include: construction management, business management, collaboration, project management, cost and product estimation, decision-making and leadership skills, compliance with regulations, and analytical and time-management skills.
About the Major
Complementary Interests
EEnterprising
RRealistic
CConventional
Opportunities After Graduation
Construction management graduates have many employment opportunities. They typically are employed by construction firms, consulting companies, contractors and subcontractors, engineering and architecture firms, residential home builders, utility companies, transportation departments, materials testing companies, developers, and building products, materials, and equipment suppliers. Over the coming decade, population and business growth will cause expanded construction activity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of construction managers is projected to grow 11%, faster than average from 2016 to 2026.
In 2017, construction engineering management technology graduates reported an average starting salary of $53,561. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that median annual salaries for construction managers in Indiana were $79,710 in May 2018. Those working as cost estimators earned a median annual wage of $64,040.
(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)
CEMT graduates may pursue certification or graduate work in construction management, engineering, or architecture, but many choose to become self-employed or advance to leadership roles in the industry, such as land planning, property management, or business administration.
Quick Facts
Sample Coursework
- Civil engineering drafting
- Construction material and systems
- Construction field operations
- Construction cost and bidding
- Construction law and ethics
- Construction scheduling
Possible Careers
- Project managers
- Construction manager
- Field superintendents
- Corporate safety director
- Estimator
- Scheduler
Where could I work?
- Cityscape Residential
- Duke Energy
- HNTB Corporation
- Pepper Construction Group
- Rieth-Riley Construction Inc.
- Shiel Sexton
- Westport Homes
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Cluster
This major belongs to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) cluster. The STEM cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in the sciences, technology, engineering, informatics, and computing. The STEM cluster partners with students on their academic advising and career plans to guide them into their degree-granting schools.