Online Construction Management Certifications, Certificates and Diplomas

For individuals interested in breaking into construction management or for those already working in the industry, a number of online professional certificate programs in construction management are available. Integrating concepts from construction, business and engineering, an online certificate in construction management prepares graduates to oversee construction a variety of construction projects.

Overview of an Online Construction Management Certificate

Online construction management professional certificate programs prepare graduates to effectively manage various construction projects. Construction managers are involved with all sorts of construction projects, such as hospitals, schools, bridges, industrial structures, commercial buildings and residential structures.
Construction management programs commonly explore such areas as contractor organization and management, financial planning, estimating techniques, contract administration and project controls. Online construction management programs also look at legal issues in construction, as well as training students to use construction-related computer applications.

Program Information and Requirements

Many construction management graduate certificate programs, which are usually around 12 credits, are offered entirely online. Students do, however, have the opportunity to combine campus-based courses with online courses. Distance learning students may also need to arrange for a proctor in order to take their examinations. Some programs require prospective students to hold an engineering, business or related undergraduate degree.
Students pursuing an online graduate certificate in construction management can usually access course materials in a number of formats, including podcast downloads, DVDs of lectures and online streaming videos. Students can also communicate with professors and students via real-time chat or through message boards and e-mail. In order to view many of the files, students must have such Internet plug-ins as Adobe Acrobat Reader and QuickTime. Other computer requirements may include a sound card, a video card and an updated operating system.

Sample Certificate-Level Construction Management Courses

Preparing graduates to oversee construction projects, a certificate-level construction management curriculum combines technical and managerial knowledge and skills. Courses train students to manage a team of construction workers and track the financial aspects of a project.

Construction Management Fundamentals Course

A course looking at the fundamentals of construction methods emphasizes basic project management techniques, as well as communication skills. Principal areas of construction management, including cost estimating, construction law and contractor organization, are covered.

Project Controls Course

An online project controls course explores methods of implementing construction projects and controlling their progress. Areas such as earned value analysis, project closeout, the project life cycle and schedule development are explored.

Cost Estimating and Analysis Course

This course focuses on estimating costs and bidding on various construction projects. Topics covered include profit factors, cost forecasts, bid analysis, cost reporting and definitive estimates.

Career Information for Graduates

Graduates of a construction management graduate certificate are prepared for management jobs in general contracting, building construction, highway construction and more. Certificate programs are often taken by construction professionals looking for career advancement or by engineers and architects looking for additional training. Additional job titles include construction superintendent, field engineer, construction planner and project manager. Voluntary certification programs through such organizations such as the Construction Management Association of America and the American Institute of Constructors can aid in career advancement.
Construction managers were expected to see job growth of 17% between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also reported that construction managers earned a median annual income of nearly $80,000 in 2008 (www.bls.gov). Credits earned as a certificate program can also typically be applied towards a master's degree in construction management, engineering or a related discipline.