Earning an associate degree in construction management

Construction managers are also known as project managers, general contractors, or construction superintendents. In spite of the relative slowdown in construction during the last few years, construction management is a solid career path with good predicted job growth. In order to successfully enter the construction management business, most employers require formal training. An associate degree in construction management can get you started.

Aspiring construction managers must have a solid understanding of contracts, regulation, building codes and have experience in construction, which can be gained doing an internship or working in construction-related positions. Construction managers should work well within a team, be organized and efficient, good at multitasking, and stable under intense time pressure.

Construction Management Earnings and Certification

As of May 2009, the median annual wage was $82,330, or $39.58 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The states with the highest concentration of construction managers were Texas, Alaska and Nevada, while the highest-paying positions could be found in New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island.

While certification is not required, employers increasingly ask for the voluntary certification that is offered through both the American Institute of Constructors and the Construction Management Association of America. Though a bachelor's or master's degree is required for many competitive construction careers, an associate degree can get you started.

Construction Manager Duties and Growth Potential

According to the BLS, the majority of construction managers are self-employed. Construction managers are the driving force behind planning, coordinating and budgeting construction projects of all types. Projects include residential, commercial and industrial structures, roads, bridges, public buildings, and more.

If a construction manager is employed by the builder of the particular project, he or she will be expected to work both in an office and on-site at the construction location. While employers increasingly require bachelor degrees to rapidly progress in the field, an associate degree in construction management is typically sufficient for an entry-level position. The BLS expects the employment of construction managers to grow much faster than average at 17% between 2008 and 2018.

Campus-Based or Online Associate Degree in Construction Management

Earning an online associate degree in construction management will allow you to gain the experience you need while working in the field and pursing your degree on your own schedule. For those who prefer the traditional classroom learning environment, campus-based associate degrees in construction management are also offered.

Classes you'll find within an associate degree in construction management typically include:

• Safety, building codes and standards and engineering
• Site planning, design and project development
• Accounting, cost estimating, scheduling and contract administration
• Information technology, mathematics and statistics
• Construction methods and materials

Some construction managers gain experience by going through apprenticeships and working as qualified craftsmen such as plumbers, electricians or masons, but employers strongly favor applicants with both work experience and at least an associate degree in construction management.

Start your career in construction management today by getting your associate degree in construction management, either online or on-campus. In a few years' time, you could be managing construction projects and reaping the financial rewards of this rapidly growing field.

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