Curriculum

The curriculum focuses on the commercial and residential building sectors but covers processes of construction administration that are applicable to any kind of project – from stadiums and parks, to railroad terminals and airports, to bridges and tunnels. The program's twelve courses focus on the fundamentals of construction administration: cost estimating and project financing, techniques, human and material resources, construction law, conflict resolution, project management, and environmental safety and conservation.

During the first term, students enroll in two core courses: Elemental Topics in Construction Administration (CNAD K4105) and Principles of Construction Techniques (CIEN E4132, fall only) or Managing the Engineering and Construction Process (CIEN E4129, spring only). Students who enter the program with significant industry experience may request a waiver of the CNAD K4105 requirement, which will be granted or denied based on the results of a pre-term examination. Students granted a waiver must replace this course with an elective course carrying three points.

Elective courses allow students to expand their study of core concepts or to specialize in a particular area of construction administration. In addition to the core and electives, students may be required to attend a number of professional development seminars throughout the program at which industry leaders use case studies to explore issues confronting the construction industry. Topics include managing stakeholder interest in the construction process, community politics and the construction industry, environmentally responsible waste disposal initiatives, project design through build, rereading plans and specifications, and specialization in the profession.

Following term one, students are required to complete seven additional core courses (or eight for those who opt out of CNAD K4105), two electives, and a master’s project course. The electives may be chosen from courses offered through this program or, with the permission of the program director, from those offered through other schools or departments of the University.

In order to receive the M.S. degree, students must complete the degree requirements within five years (10 terms, excluding summer) with an overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better. The recommended timeframe for completion is three years.

The M.S. in Construction Administration is a part-time program designed for working professionals. The program is challenging and requires a significant commitment of time and energy. Most classes are scheduled in the evening and/or on weekends and are two to three hours each. Students should plan on allocating a minimum of one hour of homework for each hour spent in class. Master’s project classes may require students to spend time at actual construction sites during the day and/or weekend.