If you are creative, have a knack for building things and prefer not to spend your day at a desk, you may have considered working in construction. But what if you want to take on a leadership role and advance into a management position? Within the construction field, aspiring leaders might consider earning a construction management degree.
Lots of online construction management degree programs in the U.S. provide high-quality education to their students. In this article, we discuss how an online bachelor’s degree in construction management can help you build your career.
What Is a Construction Management Degree?
A bachelor’s degree in construction management teaches all aspects of managing a construction project, from the initial planning stages through completion. In this degree program, students learn how to manage resources, work within budgets, prepare cost estimates, schedule work, manage subcontractors and communicate with managers and others who are involved in construction projects.
Working in construction management requires an understanding of construction principles and leadership concepts, so a bachelor’s degree combined with related work experience can prepare you for success in this role.
Full-time professors and experienced construction industry professionals teach courses in online construction management degree programs. Admission to these programs typically requires related work experience, which helps prepare students for construction management careers.

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What Can You Do with an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management?
Earning a bachelor’s degree in construction management helps you learn necessary skills for the field. Graduates can also go on to earn a master’s in construction management.
After graduating, in addition to a solid understanding of construction principles, you should also have certain skills, such as the following:

Written and verbal communication skills
Business management skills, such as hiring and managing staff and understanding budgets
Leadership ability to work with subcontractors, construction workers and other managers
Technical skills related to the construction industry
Analytical skills to plan, develop strategies and solve problems

Career Paths
Many types of businesses hire for positions related to construction management. Below we list several potential career options for construction management graduates.

Building control surveyor
Construction manager
Contract administrator
Estimator
Facilities manager
Field inspector
Project engineer
Project manager
Safety manager
Scheduler
Site engineer
Superintendent
Sustainability consultant

Admission Requirements for an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management
Below are some typical admission requirements for this degree. Since each educational institution sets its own specific requirements, these may vary depending on the program you choose.

ACT or SAT scores
A completed application
Application fee
Appropriate computer equipment and software
High school diploma or GED certificate
Minimum GPA (2.5 to 3.0 is common)
Official transcripts from high school or previous college-level coursework

Common Courses in an Online Construction Management Degree
Whether online or in-person, a bachelor’s degree in construction management typically involves 120 to 125 credits of coursework, which you should be able to complete in two to four years. Below we explore a few courses typically found in an online bachelor’s degree in construction management. Keep in mind that specific coursework varies by program.
Construction Contract Documents and Project Delivery
This course covers construction contracts and the responsibilities and relationships among people involved in these contracts. It also explores the concepts of project delivery, project manuals and working drawings.
Environmental Control Systems
This course covers essential construction knowledge in areas such as climate control, electrical systems and plumbing.
Architectural Graphics
This course teaches you how to read and understand construction drawings, architectural graphics and other documents. It also covers how to create your own drawings with computer-aided design technology.
Construction Scheduling
This course teaches common practices in planning and scheduling projects in the construction industry.
Commercial Design and Construction
This course focuses on essential systems in commercial building projects, such as sustainability standards, interface issues and building codes.
Soils Laboratory
This course teaches you how different types of soil affect construction projects.
Estimating and Bid Preparation
This course teaches techniques to determine cost estimates and prepare bids for construction projects.
Legal Environment and Business
This course covers subjects related to consumer protection, product liability, ethics, the judicial system and workers’ rights.
Why Should You Earn Your Bachelor’s in Construction Management Online?
With technology developing at such a fast pace, more universities and colleges have begun offering online degree programs. Online learning offers a variety of benefits, including schedule flexibility and cost savings.
If you have trouble staying focused or motivated to complete your work, online learning may not suit your learning style. Attending classes in person provides a focused classroom environment, free from the distractions that you may have at home.
That said, consider the following common benefits of earning a degree online.
Flexible Schedule
Many online degree programs allow you to complete your work according to your schedule. This is known as asynchronous learning.
If you don’t need to be in a classroom at a set time to attend your classes, you have more flexibility to complete coursework at your convenience. If your job has a challenging schedule or you have important commitments outside of school, schedule flexibility can be a huge help.
Lower Transportation Costs
If you attend classes online, you can avoid the expenses associated with commuting to school. This can make a huge difference for people who don’t live close to campus, and especially for those who attend school out of state.
Time Savings
If you don’t have to spend time commuting to your classes, you have more time to do the things you enjoy. Moreover, many self-paced online programs allow you to complete your coursework at an accelerated pace, saving you time overall in the degree completion process.
Expanded Networking Opportunities
In an online construction management degree program, you may have more opportunities to connect and network with other students in different states or even other countries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Construction Management Degrees

What degree is best for construction management?

It’s common for construction managers to have bachelor’s degrees, but a bachelor’s is not necessarily required for all jobs in construction management. Some employers may hire you if you have an associate degree and a few years of relevant work experience or no degree and several years of relevant work experience.

Is there a lot of math in construction management?

There is some math involved in the construction management field. You should understand basic accounting and budgeting concepts, and you can expect to take some type of accounting or mathematics coursework in your bachelor’s degree program.

Are construction managers in demand?

Yes, construction managers are in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for construction managers is expected to increase by 8% from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than the average growth rate of other occupations.