Construction Management, M.S. Program
Department Information
The School of Engineering offers undergraduate degrees in Industrial Engineering Computer Engineering and Construction Management, and graduate degrees in Engineering Management and Construction Management. Certificates in Quality, Project Management, Construction Planning and Control and Construction Administration are also offered. The School serves a diverse regional and international student population, and utilizes modern tools and laboratories for active learning and student engagement while emphasizing collaborative learning.
Program Description
The School of Engineering is offering a Master’s of Science degree in Construction Management. This degree is targeted for working professionals who are in leadership/management positions in the construction industry or planning to advance their careers to manage large construction projects.
The goals of the Masters of Science degree in Construction Management are to prepare effective managers for large public and private construction projects, to prepare the workforce required for the state’s transportation infrastructure improvements, and to enable current and future engineers and other professionals to assume leadership roles in the construction industry.
This program is different from other construction management programs as it is based on a well-balanced curriculum covering various aspects of the construction management profession. Special attention is given to working professionals with classes offered at times convenient for the students. Students will take required courses in legal and environmental issues in construction, advanced technology, project planning and control, cost estimating, financial and risk management issues. Also issues in construction safety and current trends in construction industry will be discussed. Students will also have a broad choice of electives from courses in construction management, engineering, business, or other graduate courses with department approval.
Career Opportunities
With the expected increase in large construction work, in part stemming from the increase in public spending on California’s transportation infrastructure improvement, there is considerable demand for individuals who can technically and scientifically manage large construction projects. Also, there are increasing opportunities from the local and regional high tech sector for expansion and new construction projects. The construction industry, as a whole, is one of the largest industries in the nation with a great need for skilled project managers. Sample jobs are construction manager, site manager and others.
Admission Requirements
The M.S. in Construction Management is open to individuals planning a career or advancing their career in the construction industry, and who have:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited university with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 (4.0 basis) in their undergraduate work,
- Relevant work or academic experience, and
- College Algebra and Trigonometry or equivalent level math courses.
In addition to the University Graduate and Post-baccalaureate Application, all applicants should submit to the department:
- Personal statement explaining their reasons for wanting to pursue the M.S. in Construction Management degree,
- A resume detailing their professional and academic achievements, and
- Two letters of recommendation.
Admission to the University and admission to the M.S. in Construction Management degree program are separate steps.
For international students, check with Cal State East Bay Center for International Education (CIE) for further requirements. In addition, proficiency in English language is required for all students to whom English is not their native language.
Student Standing and Progress Toward the Degree
There are three categories of student status which reflect student progress toward the degree: “Conditionally Classified Graduate” student, “Classified Graduate” student, and “Advancement to Candidacy” student.
- Students achieve “Conditionally Classified Graduate” status when they have been admitted to the M.S. in Construction Management degree program, but have not yet completed the prerequisites for “Classified Graduate” status in the M.S. in Construction Management.
- Students are advanced to Candidacy when they have completed the required courses with a 3.0 or better GPA.
Note: Students who fail to maintain progress by falling below a 3.0 GPA in their graduate courses for two or more consecutive semesters will be academically disqualified from the university.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a M.S. Construction Management degree from Cal State East Bay will be able to:
- understand and implement risk management, scheduling and estimating, building information modeling, high performance building assessment systems, and project delivery methods.
- use effective communication skills to solve practical construction problems, explain and defend the application of advanced construction practices associated with planning, staffing, scheduling and controlling construction projects.
- plan and deliver a project meeting the desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, constructability, and sustainability.
Degree Requirements
The M.S. degree program in Construction Management requires completion of 36 semester units distributed among required courses, elective courses, and the project or comprehensive exam. Of these units, at least 27 units must be completed in residence (transfer units are limited to 9 semester units); at least 30 units must be in courses in the 600 series. No course numbered 100 to 299 (or equivalent if taken elsewhere) may be used as part of the 36-unit graduate degree program.
No more than 3 units of Independent Study (CMGT 690) may be counted toward the 36 units required for the degree. Project credit may not exceed 3 units.
A grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained in all 36-semester units taken to satisfy the degree requirements. All graduate degree requirements must be completed within five (5) years.
Construction Management Degree Requirements (36 units)
Core Courses
The following 27 units are required:
Elective Courses
Students completing the capstone (CMGT 693A or CMGT 693B) must take 6 elective units. Those who elect to take the comprehensive exam need to take an additional third elective (for a total of 9 elective units) along with the comprehensive exam to satisfy the graduation requirement.
Electives can be chosen from other graduate programs with departmental approval.
Capstone Requirement
To complete a capstone project requirement, students enroll in one (1) of the capstone courses below for 3 units or pass a comprehensive exam. Students who elect to take the comprehensive exam cannot take CMGT 693A or CMGT 693B, but have to complete an additional 3 unit elective*.
Grades of “RP” (Report in Progress) may be given for CMGT 693A or CMGT 693B if the project is not completed at the end of the semester. The “RP” grade must be removed within one year or it will become an “F.
- Comprehensive Exam and other information, see your graduate advisor (*3 additional elective units)
- CMGT 693A - Applied Research in Construction Management Units: 3
The Applied Research in Construction Management, CMGT 693A, is a capstone course based on the coursework completed for the degree and is accompanied by a written document.
- CMGT 693B - Master’s Project Capstone Units: 3
The Master’s Project Capstone, CMGT 693B, is an individual research project where a faculty member from the department supervises the student’s work. One copy of the written component of the project is required by the department.
