Earning an accelerated construction management degree online may be easier than you think.
If you love construction, you could potentially make it your lifelong career. The construction industry is in desperate need of construction managers with technical and practical skills.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
List of Universities Offering an Accelerated Construction Management Degree Online
The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
1. Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers a BS in Construction Management and Technology. The program includes an accelerated option in which students can complete undergraduate and graduate coursework during their senior year.
The curriculum mostly includes coursework in engineering and business. Students do not need construction experience to enter the program.
ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
2. California Baptist University
California Baptist University’s Bachelor of Science in Construction Management program can typically be completed in as little as 3 years. It requires a minimum of 200 internship hours to gain real-world experience. The program has a history of successfully placing 100% of its students in industry jobs after graduation.
California Baptist University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.
3. Christian Brothers University
Christian Brothers University offers a BS in Engineering Management with a concentration in Construction Management. The program includes an accelerated option for completing both bachelor’s and master’s level coursework. This option may allow you to earn both your BSEM and MSEM in just five years.
Christian Brothers University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
4. Colorado State University
Colorado State University offers a specialization in Construction Management that can be paired with a variety of BS degrees, including Business Management, Organizational Leadership, and Project Management.
Earning this specialization takes 15 credit hours. Colorado State offers both accelerated courses and degrees that are 100% online. Classes start monthly.
Colorado State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
5. Florida International University
Florida International University has an accelerated pathway to earning a master’s degree.
In this program, undergraduate students can begin graduate-level coursework before graduating with their bachelor’s degrees. This can be applied to a degree in construction management, which is available on campus. The accelerated pathway is intended for students who display outstanding academic achievement.
Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
6. National University
National University has both online and on-campus programs in construction management. Their programs include monthly start dates and accelerated classes.
Topics of study include how to solve construction problems and how to estimate project costs. The program is designed for people who want to pursue careers as construction executives, project managers, or similar occupations.
National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
7. Oregon State University
Oregon State University’s construction engineering management program can help prepare you to become a construction engineer or manager in the construction industry.
Undergraduate students may progress to the graduate program immediately upon completing their undergraduate degrees. The graduate program can potentially be completed in as little as a year.
Oregon State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
8. Purdue University
Purdue University offers a degree in Construction Management Technology. Highly motivated students and those with AP credit have the option of pursuing a time-compressed program that can help them graduate in 3 years rather than 4. Students in this program have opportunities to participate in internships and to work on hands-on projects.
Purdue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
9. Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University offers a BS in Building and Construction Studies. There is a traditional on-campus program as well as an accelerated program that features hybrid and online courses. Courses in the accelerated program are 8 weeks long. The program requires 120 credit hours.
Thomas Jefferson University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
10. University of Central Missouri
The University of Central Missouri offers an accelerated degree program to earn a BS in Occupational Safety and an MS in Occupational Safety Management simultaneously. This program requires fewer credit hours than if they were completed separately. The program is available in online, on-campus, and hybrid formats.
The University of Central Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
11. University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma offers a degree in construction science that is designed to prepare students for careers as general contractors, architects, materials suppliers, and more. Topics of study include sustainability, mechanical systems, electrical systems, construction surveying, construction safety, and project controls management.
The University of Oklahoma is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
12. University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi offers a degree in construction management either online or on campus.
The program is ACCE accredited, requires 120 hours to graduate, and can usually be completed in 2 to 4 years. The online program does not charge out-of-state tuition. The curriculum includes digital graphics and building information modeling.
The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
13. University of Washington – Seattle
The University of Washington—Seattle offers a degree in construction management on campus.
The degree requires the completion of an internship and is also offered as a dual degree with architectural design. Students may apply to this major after completing 2 years of college, or they may apply for Freshman Direct Admission after completing high school.
The University of Washington is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
14. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Tech offers a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering and Management on campus.
The curriculum includes construction estimating and scheduling, construction health and safety, construction economy, and construction law and contract administration. Internships and co-ops are available to provide students with real-world experience.
Virginia Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
15. Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University’s B.S. in Construction Management is a 4 year, on-campus degree program.
The program includes a semester-long internship, as well as opportunities to network through construction student organizations. Coursework includes construction-specific courses, as well as courses on law, accounting, and marketing. The program is a total of 120 credit hours.
Western Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Types of Accelerated Construction Management Degree Programs
The field of construction management covers a lot of different areas.
If you have a passion for a certain type of construction, you can likely find a construction degree to match. Some bachelor’s degree options are:
- Civil Engineering
- Construction Management
- Construction Technology
- Construction Science
- Green and Sustainable Building
If you want to go even further, you could even pursue a master’s degree in construction management after earning your bachelor’s. A growing number of universities now offer an online masters in construction management program.
Courses for an Accelerated Construction Management Degree
Construction management degree programs typically cover most areas of construction, from financing and construction methods to legal requirements. These programs combine topics of study from two powerful careers—building and business.
Your degree program can help prepare you for both facets of construction management with classes such as:
- Construction Contracts and Project Administration
- Construction Equipment and Methods
- Construction Leadership
- Construction Project Scheduling and Cost Control
- Financial Management for Construction
- Mechanical and Plumbing Systems
- Residential Aging-in-Place and Green Building
- Safety Management
- Soils Engineering for Construction Managers
- Sustainable Practices-Design and Construction
The exact courses you’ll be able to take will vary from program to program, but these are some common types of courses found in construction management degree programs.
Careers with an Accelerated Construction Management Degree
Getting a degree in construction management can help you open the door to a thriving career field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities in construction management are projected to grow by 11% in the next decade. This is higher than the average for most other business majors.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that there will be 40,400 new jobs in construction management within the next decade. You can increase your odds of landing one of those new jobs if you have BOTH construction experience and a bachelor’s degree.
A bachelor’s degree in construction management can, of course, prepare you to be a construction manager, but there are many other careers you could pursue as well.
You might become a:
- Business developer
- Assistant estimator
- Assistant project manager
- Assistant superintendent
- Field engineer
- Project engineer
- Project scheduler
- Quality control engineer
- Safety engineer
- Sustainability consultant
- Foreman
- Project manager
According to the BLS, the average salary for a construction manager is $97,180. Some careers in the field pay even more, while there are others that pay less.
These are some of the average salaries within the field of construction management, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Career | Annual Median Salary |
| Engineering Managers | $149,530 |
| Heavy Engineering Construction Managers | $101,730 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction Managers | $98,620 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | $93,650 |
| Residential Building Construction Managers | $89,000 |
| Cost Estimators | $66,610 |
You may also have the option of managing your own construction company, in which case your earnings would be dependent on how much business you take on.
Accelerated Online Construction Management Classes
Accelerated online classes can greatly lessen the time it takes to earn your degree. Although the classes in an accelerated program cover the same information that is covered in a typical college classroom, you can potentially complete them twice as fast and from your own home.
A traditional, on-campus class usually takes about 16 weeks to complete. The same class in an accelerated program could potentially be completed in just 8 weeks.
3 Ways to Accelerate Your Construction Management Degree Even More
Besides taking accelerated classes, there are other ways you can decrease the time it takes to earn your degree. These three tips can help save you time and money while earning your degree:
1. Test Out of Classes with College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Tests
Many programs will allow students to use their passing CLEP exam scores to qualify for certain course credits. CLEP tests only cost $89 each, but your local testing center may charge a small fee as well. The costs of these tests can still be significantly less than a college course.
To pass each exam, you’ll need to earn a grade of at least 50%.
2. Earn Credit for Your Work Experience
If you were in the military or have other professional experience, you can consult with your school to try and earn credit for what you’ve already learned through your experiences.
3. Stay Continuously Enrolled
The third technique is to stay continuously enrolled with the max course load possible. Once you register as a full-time student, instead of taking a typical 15 credits in the fall and spring semesters, you may bump your course load up to 18 credits and take a full course load over the summer.
By taking the absolute highest amount of credit you can, you could potentially be done with your classes in as little as 18 months.
You may also be able to transfer any existing college credits you have. Many programs will allow you to apply previously earned credits to your degree as long as they came from an accredited school and you passed each class with at least a C.
Lower Tuition Costs
Possibly the best thing you can do to save your tuition dollars is to earn as many college credits as you can from exams and prior learning experiences. Beyond that, you can lower your costs by making sure you take advantage of as much financial aid as you can.
You can start the process by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application can help you learn what grants and loans you qualify for.
After that, you can research scholarship opportunities from private organizations and universities.
Finally, you can also talk to your employer about tuition assistance.
Construction Management Degree Accreditation
When you are putting in long hours and big money to get a degree, you want to make sure you don’t get scammed. A fake degree will not help you get the job you are looking for.
Making sure your school is regionally accredited can help give you the assurance that the program you’ve chosen has met educational standards.
Schools earn their regional accreditation from one of these independent boards:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Another accreditation that is good to look for in a construction management program is programmatic accreditation from the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE).
Start Building Your Career
An accelerated online construction management degree program can help prepare you to do what you love professionally. You can start by:
- Determining which specialization to pursue
- Researching and applying to schools that offer that specific degree
- Exploring financial aid opportunities
After you’ve done this, you can apply to transfer credits or earn credits from prior experience and test out of any classes you can to accelerate your degree.
If you really want to speed things up, you can take the maximum course load possible each semester. If you do, you may be finished with your bachelor’s degree in less than 2 years.
