M.S. Construction Management
This program is intended primarily for students holding a B.S. in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a closely related field. Prospective students, whose undergraduate degree is not in a closely related field, should contact the Civil Engineering and Construction Management (CECM) Department to discuss additional prerequisite courses with a faculty advisor.
History
Once every four years, America鈥檚 civil engineers provide a comprehensive assessment (in terms of grades) of the nation鈥檚 major infrastructure categories in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)鈥檚 Report Card for America鈥檚 Infrastructure. Since 1998, the grades have been near failing, averaging only Ds, due to delayed maintenance and underinvestment across most categories. In the 2021 ASCE Report Card, America鈥檚 cumulative GPA for infrastructure rose slightly to a C鈥. Moreover, with the passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), a once鈥恑n鈥恆鈥恎eneration investment in our nation鈥檚 infrastructure and competitiveness, the demand for more education in construction management is needed. Accordingly, the US requires infrastructure projects for years ahead. This Master of Science in Construction Management (MSCM) degree is needed to fulfill the needs of the challenging nature of the construction industry.
Program Vision
The Master of Science in Construction Management (MSCM) degree is intended to serve owners' representatives, consulting engineers, architects, design engineers, contractors, and subcontractors, who have a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.
Program Mission
Graduates will gain knowledge, technical skills, and managerial abilities needed for success in the construction industry, attain leadership in the field, and increase career opportunities in the construction industry. Graduates will be able to meet industry and government needs for professionals in construction management鈥恟elated positions.
Program Objectives
The 快活林性息 graduate Construction Management Program prepares students for lifelong careers in the construction industry that will allow them to make productive contributions to the construction field and society, and to find job satisfaction. To accomplish this overall goal, graduates of this program should have the following attributes during the first few years following graduation:
- Exhibit the planning, organization, execution, and legal skills of a construction manager.
- Compare Construction Management technologies, innovations, and processes.
- Evaluate the logistics underlying construction systems and devise strategies for managing these complexities.
- Demonstrate the financial, managerial, and cognitive acumen of a leader in the construction industry.
- Analyze how issues of cost, schedule, and design impact project development and implementation.
- Apply global, ethical, and sustainability perspectives to Construction Management knowledge.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Masters of Science in Construction Management Program at California State University, Northridge will have the following learning outcomes:
- Working knowledge of engineering terms common to construction operations, equipment, and material procurement, maintenance, estimating and bidding techniques, work scheduling, quality control techniques, resource allocation, common construction practices, construction organizations, and financing.
- Familiarity with basic elements of a contract, types of specifications, general provisions, resolution of legal disputes, and negotiating strategies.
- Working knowledge of construction equipment to include selection and performance, estimating productivity, and equipment economics. Working knowledge of the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of construction materials and their non鈥恉estructive testing including metals, concrete, timber, asphalt, and soil.
- Knowledge of problems meeting the growing energy demand. Selection of energy sources and their corresponding advantages and disadvantages.
- Basic understanding of data processing and computer techniques for application to engineering problems.
- Working knowledge of and ability to apply business and financial accounting principles.
- Proficiency in oral and written communications and ability to identify, research, and recommend alternatives to various engineering problems for presentation to both technical and non鈥恡echnical managers.
Careers & Outcomes
Construction Management graduates work in the public and private sectors at rewarding careers, guiding construction projects through all stages of development. Below are common job titles for our graduates, as well as examples of where our alumni work.
- Estimator
- Field Engineer or Supervisor
- Project Manager
- Safety Coordinator
- Construction Superintendent
- Code Administrator
- Kiewit
- AECOM
- Turner
- Jacobs
- PCL
- Fluor
- Skanska
- Balfour Betty
- Hensel Phelps
Degree Requirements
All successful applicants must meet the following requirements before they can enroll.
- Approval by both the College of Engineering and Computer Science, along with the department itself. (see the section regarding Graduate Programs in the ).
- A bachelor鈥檚 degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or an affiliated field, from an accredited university or college.
- Approval by the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Department.
- Satisfaction of University requirements for Classified status (See the section regarding Graduate Programs in the ).
- Completion of all requirements stated in individual admissions documents.
- Submit a tentative program of study to the CECM graduate coordinator.
- Approval by the CECM Department鈥檚 graduate coordinator.
Satisfaction of University requirements for the M.S. Degree are as follows:
- Completion of 27 units, plus 3 additional units for the Project or Comprehensive Exam Plan, or
- Completion of 24 units, plus 6 additional units for the Thesis Plan.
- 24 units of course work applicable to the M.S. degree, of which at least 15 units are in approved Construction Management or Engineering courses at the 500鈥 level or above.
- An additional 6 units of CM 698C (Thesis) and successful defense of Thesis.
- 27 units of course work applicable to the M.S. degree, of which at least 21 units are in approved Construction Management or Engineering courses at the 500鈥 level or above.
- An additional 3 units of CM 697 Comprehensive Study.
Required Courses
CM 508 Construction Information Technology (3)
CM 510 Business Practices in Construction (3)
CM 604 Advanced Project Controls (3)
CM 605 Construction Quality Management (3)
CM 609 Advanced Materials (3)
Students must choose one culminating experience option only (Comprehensive Exam, Graduate Project, or Graduate Thesis). If CM 698C is selected, students only choose 15 units from the top list.
CM 697 Comprehensive Exam (3)
or CM 698C Graduate Project (3)
or CM 698C Graduate Thesis (3鈥3)
If CM 415/L and CM 480 or equivalent courses were not completed as part of an undergraduate degree program, they must be taken from the below list. Students cannot take more than 6 units of 400 level courses towards the degree:
CM 511 Program Management (3)
MSE 540 Sustainability for Engineers (3)
CM 606 Green Infrastructure (3)
CM 607 Pipeline Construction and Rehabilitation (3)
Total Units Required for the M.S. Degree in Construction Management: 30