Construction Management (Master's) at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The MS in Construction Management provides breadth in the managerial, technological, economic and environmental aspects of construction, with depth through a systems approach covering project management, estimating, scheduling and project controls, land development, design, construction technology, real estate, finance, business management and marketing. Thesis (Plan A) and non-thesis (Plan B) options are offered; Plan A is recommended for those heading for teaching, consulting, research or doctoral study.

Faculty: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources | Department: School of Planning, Design and Construction | Duration: 30 credits (Plan A thesis); Plan B non-thesis also available | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Required courses include CMP 817 Construction Project Management and Information Systems and CMP 822 Contracts and Legal Issues in Construction (plus CMP 893 research methods for Plan A), an additional 800-level CMP course, and a 400-level-or-above statistics course. Focus topics include sustainable design and building operations, integrated project delivery, BIM and construction informatics, construction safety, estimating and scheduling, mass timber construction and real estate development. Plan A requires 6 credits of CMP 899 and a thesis; Plan B is completed by a final examination, the AIC Level 1 certification exam, a CMP 898 report, or additional coursework.

Career pathways

The programme is STEM-designated (eligible for the 24-month OPT extension) and reports a job placement rate above 90%, with starting US salaries of $60,000-$80,000. Graduates work across commercial, residential and infrastructure construction sectors.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Regular admission: a BS in construction management or a related area such as architecture, business, design, engineering, management or urban planning; cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; construction industry experience acceptable to the department; and prior coursework of 3 credits of introductory calculus and 3 credits of introductory physics. Applicants lacking the degree background or the calculus/physics prerequisites may be required to complete collateral courses with at least a 3.00 GPA.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants can start in fall (late August), spring (January) or summer (May) in the MPH programme; intake terms for other graduate programmes are set by each department or program.

The graduate application fee is $75 for domestic and international applicants, with one fee per application; applicants may submit up to two applications to different graduate majors per semester. Applications are reviewed by the department or program, which sets its own deadlines.

MPH application deadlines (SOPHAS completion): fall May 18, spring October 18, summer February 15; MSU supplemental application: fall June 1, spring November 1, summer March 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/graduate-students

Explore more study programmes

Business