Construction Management

About the Department

Wei Wu, Department Chair
Michele Randel, Architectural Studies Program Coordinator
Vivien Luo, MSCM Graduate Coordinator
Engineering East Building, Room 218
559.278.6056
engineering.fresnostate.edu/cm/

Mission of Construction Management

The mission of the Department of Construction Management is to develop professionals, build leaders, and sustain learners for the A/E/C Industry.

Department of Construction Management Objectives:

• Sustain faculty and staff success and achievement
• Sustain student success and achievement
• Provide continuing education for the A/E/C industry

Program Descriptions

• The Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies is a new pilot program starting in the Fall of 2020. Students in this program are being prepared for a career in the architectural design field. Our program incorporates interdisciplinary courses that not only provide students with a solid understanding of architectural design concepts but with a firm understanding of design graphics, urban studies, city and regional planning and constructability to make them competitive in the architecture industry.
• The Bachelor of Science in Construction Management is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education, the professional accreditation organization of the construction industry. Students in construction management (CM) are exposed to a wide variety of topics, ranging from courses in management and administration of construction companies, projects, people, and equipment to courses focusing on specific techniques for project planning and control work improvement and estimating. The Construction Management program also provides opportunities to develop a strong background in computer applications in construction. Information technology skills combined with a solid management and technical background are major assets of the construction management graduate.
• The Master of Science in Construction Management program provides the technical competencies, financial knowledge, and entrepreneurial skills that are essential to today’s leaders in the construction industry. The program is designed for recent college graduates as well as working professionals with architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), business or related backgrounds.
• The Minor in Construction Management provides an opportunity for students from interrelated disciplines such as engineering, city and regional planning, interior design, industrial technology, and business management to gain a level of basic knowledge in the working atmosphere and environment of construction management. Students in the minor acquire an interdisciplinary core of information for participation in their chosen professional fields.

Opportunities for architectural studies and construction management graduates are excellent. Examples of positions held by architectural studies and construction management graduates are architectural designers, architectural representative, project engineer, project manager, construction manager, construction office or field engineer, estimator, scheduler, project superintendent, and construction administrator.

Interesting Classes You Might Take

• Architectural Design
• Building Information Modeling
• Construction Graphics
• Construction Scheduling
• Construction Project Controls
• Estimating and Bidding
• Sustainable Construction

What You Can Learn

• How to manage large design/build projects
• Construction materials and their application to different structural systems
• Federal and State labor-oriented regulations as applied to construction industry practices
• Conceptual planning and construction of a large-scale building project
• Sustainable practices for the design and construction of projects

Mandatory Advising

It is the policy of the department that every student meets his/her assigned advisor at least once each semester during the academic year.

Changing/Adding an Architectural Studies or Construction Management Major

Students currently enrolled at Fresno State are welcome to apply to change/add an Architectural Studies or Construction Management major offered in the Lyles College of Engineering. Admission is contingent on space availability in the major. In order to add/change your major, students must meet all of the following conditions:

1. Submit an application detailing their motivation and academic preparation for potential success in the new major.
2. Students shall possess good academic standing.
3. Students shall have completed MATH 70 or MATH 75, CM 1, and CM 2 with a grade of C or better, or be exempt from these courses because of AP credit or other transfer credit.
4. Students shall meet with the department chair or program coordinator and develop a plan of study that shows the student can complete the remainder of the degree in less than 8 semesters.
5. Students who will be adding/ changing their major with more than 144 units will need to receive approval from the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Career Opportunities

Construction Management (CM) is an interdisciplinary degree program that is committed to educating future professionals in the architecture/engineering/construction (AEC) industry. A construction manager is a professional that uses specialized techniques to manage the planning, design, and construction of a project, from concept through operation. These professionals manage the time, cost, safety, quality, and many other aspects of a built environment project.

Graduates from CM degree programs manage all types and sizes of projects; from a small residential home to multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects, CM’s are an integral part of any project.

What You Can Earn

• Average starting salary for Construction Management graduates is $70,000 (Source: PayScale.com)
• Annual Mean Wage for a Construction Manager is $99,510 (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, United States [BLS 2017])

What You Can Do

• Become a Certified Construction Manager
• Become a Certified Professional Constructor
• Become a Licensed Contractor

Programs

• Architectural Studies, B.S.
• Construction Management, B.S.

• Construction Management, M.S.

• Construction Management, Minor