Best Construction Management Degree

In today’s competitive job market, most construction managers aren’t workers who have climbed the ladder from swinging a hammer to overseeing projects. While this may have been the case in the past, employers now want their construction managers to have degrees — preferably a master’s degree in construction management or a bachelor’s degree in a building-related field and an MBA (master’s of business administration). Many larger corporations don’t even accept application from candidates who don’t have degrees.

All of that schooling can be expensive, though. If you’re working a minimum wage construction job, you likely don’t have the cash on hand for a master’s degree or even for a four-year education. According to U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistic, public four-year colleges cost an average of $13,424 per year for the 2007-08 school year; private institutions were even pricier at an average of $30,393 per year. That’s a lot of nails to hammer.

One of the ways you can help pay for college is through scholarships. Different than loans, scholarships go directly to your education costs, but they do not have to be repaid. Colleges themselves may offer scholarships to students based on academic merit or certain talents, and you can also seek scholarships from outside sources, like construction organizations, private funds, and the government. Scholarships can knock the cost of your education down to a reasonable price, making it possible to pursue a construction management degree.

Where can you find construction management scholarships? Start by checking with your college of choice. Many institutions offer scholarships based on your grades and SAT scores, and some offer additional scholarships based on your performance in sports or the arts. Your specific program within the college may offer scholarships as well, using funds set aside specifically for construction management majors.

After exhausting the scholarship options at your college, try contacting construction organizations. The Construction Management Association of America awards a number of $3,000 scholarships every year, for example. Other organizations that have offered scholarships for construction management students over the past few years include the Foundation of Wall & Ceiling Industry, the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering, and the Associated General Contractors of America. There are also private scholarship funds specific to this industry, including the Jerry Junkins Construction Management Scholarship in Texas, Clark Construction Group’s Joe H. Smith Construction Management Scholarship, and the Alphine Cabinet Company Construction Management Scholarship. Some of these private scholarship funds are specific to certain colleges, while others can be used no matter where you choose to attend.

Apply for as many scholarships as you can in the months leading up your entrance into college. The skills you’re learn as a construction management major are invaluable for your career, but without scholarships, you may never get that education in the first place. Remember, you may qualify for scholarships in other areas as well, based on your high school grades, SAT scores, and even factors like your ethnicity, gender, and family’s military history. Apply for all of the scholarships you can find. Every dime helps when you need to pay for college!

Top Construction Management Degree Programs

For those seeking a construction management degree, several online options exist, and in many levels: associate's, bachelor's, and even upper-level master's degree programs are available to aspiring construction managers.

Most Popular Construction Management Degrees

	Everglades University — The bachelor's degree in construction management from Everglades University is the top online construction management degree in the U.S. This particular online program from Everglads allows busy students with jobs to learn on their own schedules.
	San Joaquin Valley College — The associate's degree in construction management from San Joaquin Valley College is perfect for those who want to learn the basics of managerial and technical skills needed for a job in construction management quickly, since this is only a two-year program.
	South University — South University's bachelor's degree in construction management is designed to give students a flexible and affordable option for obtaining the management and technical skills required to succeed in the construction industry.
	Drexel University — The master's degree in construction management from Drexel University focuses on training graduate students to successfully meet the increasing owner demands, shorter delivery times, and tougher regulatory standards by equipping them with the leadership skills necessary for any construction manager.

Other Popular Management Degrees

	Capella University — Capella University offers an online MBA in project management that is based on the knowledge areas established by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is an ideal degree choice for anyone pursuing a well-rounded business education focused on management.
	Colorado Technical University — CTU Online offers a BSBA in Project Management that should serve as a good educational experience for anyone pursuing a career in project or construction management. The program is accredited by the Project Management Institute's Global Accreditation Center.
	American InterContinental University — The Bachelor of Business Administration in operations management program from AIU Online allows students to earn their degree at their own pace while advancing their current careers. This degree will quickly prepare a student for a management job in the construction industry.
	Eastern Kentucky University — The Master of Science in safety, security, and emergency management degree program from EKU is a quality option for individuals who already have a bachelor's degree and want to enter into higher leadership or upper management positions within the construction industry.
	Sullivan University — The bachelor's degree in construction management from Sullivan University is a flexible and affordable online program that gives students the skills and tools necessary to have a successful management career in the construction industry.
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