From technological advancements to worker safety and materials regulations to environmental protection, the job of a construction manager is more complex than ever. At Southern New Hampshire University, you can gain the real-world expertise and project management skills demanded by employers in your field by earning an online Master of Science (MS) in Management with a concentration in Construction Management program. The specialized construction management degree program focuses on the planning and management of critical aspects of the construction process.

You'll learn the tools, practices, and strategies of construction management, including the relationship between estimating and budgeting for projects, materials, and methods. You'll also evaluate quality control and equipment management and the implications of construction law, contracts and risk management in decision-making for different types and sizes of construction projects.

Learn how to:

- Analyze construction projects to plan, implement and manage the construction process

- Support and develop talent and guide them through change

- Develop communication skills and build appropriate business relationships

- Apply critical thinking, data analysis, and ethical reasoning to decision-making

- Create plans that prioritize tasks, stabilize conflicts and integrate project management tools

- Maintain accountability through business metrics, performance data, and financial analysis

- Encourage culture and brand stewardship in employees and in your management approach

In the master's in construction management online program, you'll examine budgeting, estimating, and bidding strategies and explore the different facets of construction materials and methods. Courses focus on quality management and productivity levels of construction projects, as well as legal aspects of the construction industry.

"The MS in Management with a concentration in Construction Management provides exceptional learning opportunities that are immediately applicable to the industry," said Dr. Michelle Caron, CPC, an associate dean at Southern New Hampshire University. "Students are truly taken on a journey that begins with detailing the schedule, scope, and cost of a project to comparing construction materials, methods, and equipment."

The management master's coursework at SNHU can help you develop necessary skills like effective business communication, data-driven decision making, developing and supporting talent, project management, supporting and fostering stewardship of an organization's culture and brand, and strategic planning. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to build your leadership skills with strong ethics, courage, agility, and practical application of proven management theory. When you successfully complete the program, you'll be well prepared to manage through an unpredictable, changing landscape of business in whatever industry you choose. You'll take 8 courses in the management program.

Topics include:

- Human Behavior in Organizations: Students examine theories of motivation, communication, leadership, power, and change with practical relation to contemporary issues. They also study organizations for key design variables and reward systems aimed at improved performance and organizational efficiency through employee motivational programs, participative management, and cooperative decision-making.

- Managing Through Communication: Learn how to manage people and organizations effectively using communication as a tool. Enhance skills and techniques in motivating, leading change, developing relationships, and team building through effective communication of core visions, active listening, and providing feedback. Develop strategic management and communication skills that positively affect stakeholder behavior. Gain comprehensive, hands-on experience in constructing documents and presentations that inform, persuade and influence the intended audience to achieve strategic goals.

- Project Management: The course adopts a managerial process approach to project management, which consists of initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing the project. Major topics will include project scope, project time, project cost, project quality, project risk, project resources, project communications, and how to be an effective project manager. When you add a construction management concentration to a graduate-level degree in management, you get the ideal blend that can help you reach your goals. Well-developed management skills are sought after in every organization. But specific knowledge about construction and the processes that get a project done well and on time merged with your management training can be a powerful combination in the industry.

"The inclusion of real-world case studies brings the course to life for learners as they explore quality control processes, construction law and risk assessment as essential components developed to prepare students for work in the field," Caron said.

The construction management concentration has 4 courses:

- Construction Budgeting, Estimating & Bidding: Examine budgeting, estimating, and bidding strategies for various types and sizes of construction projects. Using a project-based approach, students are exposed to project budgetary considerations; conceptual, rough order magnitude, and definitive estimating; pricing for equipment, labor, and materials; bid preparation and strategies, and conducting a competitive analysis.

- Construction Law and Contracts: This course examines legal aspects of the construction industry, including interpretation of the law, contract administration, and risk management. Using a case study approach, students analyze cases to apply legal concepts and principles, interpret the law, and determine the performance and flexibility of contracts. Additional topics include ethics, dispute resolution, liability, labor laws, insurance, and bonds. Students completing this course are exposed to pertinent laws and contractual requirements and limitations associated with construction management.

- Construction Materials & Methods: This course explores the different facets of construction materials and methods. Using a case study approach, students analyze the construction process, including work methods, techniques, and strategies; methods of equipment selection; reading and interpreting plans and specifications; and material specifications. Additional topics include the procurement of materials, codes, and regulations. Students completing this course obtain the skillsets applicable to real-world construction projects.

- Construction Quality Management and Productivity: This course focuses on quality management and productivity levels of construction projects. Students analyze real-world cases to evaluate techniques, tools, and practices in implementing and monitoring quality control processes as well as equipment management to include managing and quantifying labor and equipment productivity. Additional topics include scheduling, cost and cost control measures, safety, risk management, and quality measurements. Students completing this course recognize the relationship between quality and productivity.

The construction management coursework helped Marlon Belfor '17 '19G with a large subway project in Manhattan, New York. "The project entailed nearly every facet of construction management activity from a project management perspective, such as being solely responsible for stage and phase work completion and managing staff," he said.

And that's what our instructors prepare you for. Well-versed in leadership and training tomorrow's leaders, our instructors are on hand to guide you through the program, helping you become an organization's next great leader. At the end of your program, you'll take a capstone class. The purpose of the course is to assess your ability to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills you've developed throughout your coursework. The capstone may also provide you with a portfolio piece you'll be able to show employers. Don't have a business bachelor's degree? SNHU offers a Business Foundations course for students with little or no business background. You'll want to have a discussion with your admission counselor or academic advisor to determine if you'll need to take this class.

Part of our mission to expand access to quality, higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That's why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials with no GRE or GMAT required. Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms.

$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)