Construction Management Major Becoming More Popular

A recent U.S. News article spoke to the rise in popularity of the Construction Management major. The article’s author, Delece Smith-Barrow, covers education for U.S. News. Smith-Barrow writes that “Construction trades had the largest percentage increase in enrollment at four-year institutions between spring 2016 and spring 2017 – 26.4 percent.” This was according to a recent report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center is a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes education data.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “construction trades” includes a range of subjects including carpentry and management. Construction Management is the common name for the bachelor’s degree at four-year schools. Industry experts describe the construction management major as one that combines various disciplines. The students are learning how to manage the process of constructing a building from a business perspective.

Professor and department chair for construction management at the University of Washington, Bill Bender, describes construction management as “a blend of architecture, business, and engineering.” Students pursuing the major are learning about budget and schedule tracking along with quality management, safety, and team management.

With all of the different elements of the degree, it’s no surprise that students – with their varieties of interests and skills – are interested in a major that involves so much variety. Additionally, construction management has the element of seeing a physical result of one’s hard work. Students are attracted to that sense of accomplishment.

The rise in popularity of the major means that there is an even greater pool of talent to pull from for construction management companies.

Will Ward, seen here with Executive VP Brian Newsome, was a Construction Management major at Kennesaw State University. He is now our youngest Assistant Project Manager.