If you love big projects and want to work outside of a traditional office environment, you might be interested in earning an online construction management degree. Construction management programs prepare students to plan, manage, and complete major building projects. Below, we'll cover the particulars of a construction management degree, along with the latest trends and salary forecasts for the field.Many online construction management programs offer courses geared towards professionals with industry experience; others cater to people without any background in the field, and it's important to find the right curriculum for your needs. Regardless of your current experience though, a construction management online degree can help secure your next role in this ever-growing industry.Most cities and regions in the United States need supervisory professionals in construction management. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that construction management positions will grow 5% through 2032, which makes the online construction management degree a sound investment for anyone interested in the field. Additionally, a recent Associated General Contractors of America workforce study demonstrated that construction project management positions are in demand, and that as many as two thirds of contractors are struggling to find enough qualified managers for the work they need.An online construction management degree will help you develop strong analytical, business, customer service, oratory, technical, and leadership skills. Jobs in the field will require you to use all of these skills, and also to competently manage employees, budgets, timelines, and contractors. It's demanding work that requires dedication and discipline, but if you're interested in construction management, a construction management bachelor's degree online can help prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career.
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LinkedInOnline Construction Management Degree Overview
| Degree Level | Average Cost | Loan Default Rate | Time Commitment | Early Career Pay | Mid-Career Pay | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | $9,741 | 17.43% | 2 years | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Bachelor's | $17,198 | 15.93% | 4 years | $55,805 | $71,767 | 4.1% |
| Master's | $19,644 | 5.9% | 2+ years | $65,000 | $88,400 | Not reported |
Experience has long been crucial in construction management, and education has become just as necessary. More education allows you to sharpen your critical thinking and analytical skills, and depending on your specializations, a degree can qualify you for work on specific projects. Earning an online bachelor's in construction management will also help you increase your salary potential.Professionals with a bachelor's in construction management degree can expect to make approximately $55,000 annually in the early stages of their career, and their expected income rises to nearly $72,000 at mid-career. Additionally, each subsequent degree you earn in construction management raises your income potential, meaning that you'll be more qualified and make more money with a master's degree than you would if you just held a bachelor's (workers with a master's earn $65,000 on average at their first job, and then nearly $90,000 at mid-career). Best of all, an online construction management degree allows you to study remotely and on your time, allowing you to advance your career prospects when it's most convenient for you.
Online Construction Management Degrees
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Online Construction Management Choose Your Career
| Career | Median Salary | Projected Growth | 2014 Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Manager | $87,400 | 5% | 373200 |
| Cost Estimator | $60,390 | 9% | 213500 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $93,940 | -4% | 173400 |
| Architectural & Engineering Managers | $132,800 | 2% | 182100 |
Online Construction Management Degree in Action
Meet Our Expert: Amber Pearson
Program ManagerAmber Pearson earned her BS in construction management from Colorado State University. Today, she spearheads Vertex Innovations' construction management software, custom-building workflows for multi-million dollar infrastructure projects. She uses her construction management expertise to design specific workflows to streamline construction projects, train the construction teams, and provide technical and process support.
LinkedInOnline Construction Management Professional Requirements
Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
After completing your construction management degree, you'll want to stay up to date on required certifications. The certified construction manager credential is not mandatory, but it is considered the highest credential a professional in construction management can earn. You'll need to complete 48 months as a CM in a qualifying area, which includes pre-design, design, procurement, construction, and post-construction. You won't need 48 months of experience in each area, but you will need to have either four years of experience in the field and an associate or bachelor's degree in construction management. If you don't complete the educational requirement, you can become a CCM with eight years of experience in general design/construction and 48 months as a CM in the qualifying areas. You will have to complete an application once you've completed the above requirements. When your application reaches the candidacy stage you will be asked to take a certification exam. The exam takes five hours; it's a multiple choice exam, although some questions will require you to make calculations.