Construction Management at WGU
Are You Considering a Career in Construction Management?
As you’ve been searching through WGU’s degree programs, you may have noticed we don’t currently offer a bachelor’s degree program in construction management. However, if you’re looking to pursue a career in construction and construction management, you can get the skills and credentials you need from other business degrees at WGU. Like other degree programs, WGU business degree programs are crafted to help students like you to get the skills you need to prepare you for the management jobs you want, and help you advance your career when the time comes. Read on and discover more ideal degree options if you have your heart set on a construction management degree or a construction career.
Pathways to a Construction Management Career
Did you know that pursuing a future in construction management requires you to have business skills? A recent job search for construction management positions on LinkedIn shows that over 50,000 of those listings have requirements for business development, management, and finance skills. A degree in construction management can be a good option for some construction careers, and you may need specific engineering or construction training to be qualified for careers for certain types of construction projects, but many of the skills you learn in other business degree programs could better serve your professional aspirations.
Bachelor of Science in Business Management
A bachelor’s degree in business management is a solid degree program designed to give you a strong foundation on which to build your construction career. Because it’s important to have impeccable management skills for construction management jobs, the coursework and lessons in a business management program are especially helpful in preparing you for the requirements of different construction roles. You’ll learn valuable organizational skills, key lessons on how to be a good supervisor, an understanding of finance to help you with estimates, and a variety of methods to advance your capabilities into more senior management or administration roles.
This degree program will address many of the lessons and credentials you need for a career in construction management, including financial skills, strategic thinking, fundamentals for business success, emotional intelligence, and more.
Some of the courses in this degree program include:
- Best Practices in Management: Projects, Staffing, Scheduling, and Budgeting
- Concepts in Marketing, Sales, and Customer Contact
- Business Environment Applications I: Business Structures and Legal Environment
- Business Environment Applications II: Process, Logistics, and Operations
- Managing in a Global Business Environment
- Business Core Capstone: An Integrated Application
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Once you’ve attained your bachelor’s degree—or if you already have it and you’re ready to advance to the next level—a master’s degree is an excellent way to prepare yourself for more senior or administrative roles in construction. Being a construction manager can be challenging and the work is always changing, which is why strong management skills are a must. Not only will you sharpen your leadership skills, but you’ll be ready to take on more responsibility with the confidence to handle any professional challenges.
An MBA is important in any business-related career, but even more so for construction managers, as you learn key business and management skills that can put you ahead of the competition. In addition to learning communication and marketing skills, you’ll also gain experience in ethical leadership. You'll be ready to give estimates for construction projects, you'll be able to meet requirements for leading construction teams, and more.
Some of the courses in this degree program include topics such as:
- Managing organizations and people
- Operations management
- Global economics
- Accounting for business leaders
- Financial management
- Data-driven decision making
$97,180
is the average annual salary for construction managers.
Learn More About Construction Management Careers
There are a variety of roles that fall under the construction manager umbrella. Other construction management careers include:
- Building surveyor
- Building services engineer
- Contract administrator
- Estimator
- Site manager
- Estates manager
- Quantity surveyor
- Facilities manager
- Project manager
- Sustainability consultant
Each of these roles depend on strong management and communication skills, with an understanding of business and finance—specifically economics and accounting. Additionally, these roles need an understanding of operational management, an innate understanding of business structures, processes, logistics and operations, and emotional intelligence. Business degrees such as a bachelor’s in business management or an MBA can prepare you for these and any other construction management careers.
Is a Degree in Construction Management Worth It?
A degree in construction management can be helpful in the pursuit of your career, but it’s not the only degree path you can take to realize your professional dreams. Because construction management positions require strong business knowledge with people skills and a background in finance, another business degree can be equally if not more helpful in securing and advancing a career in construction management.
What Degree Does a Construction Manager Need?
While a degree isn’t necessarily mandatory, more and more construction manager positions require at least a bachelor’s degree—especially if the applicant doesn’t have a background in construction. This is why a bachelor’s degree in business—or an MBA—can be helpful; you can get the skills you need for the role and stand out from other applicants.
Is Construction Management a Good Career?
Construction management is an excellent career. In addition to having great pay, with the average annual salary over $97,000, construction management jobs are slated to grow at an accelerated rate, which means job security and longevity is secure.
What Degree is Best for Construction?
At the very least, most construction jobs require a bachelor’s degree. However, to advance your career into more senior management or administrative roles, it’s recommended you get a master’s degree, particularly one in business such as an MBA.
How Much do Construction Managers Make?
On average, construction managers make an annual salary of $97,180. However, that number may fluctuate depending on which state you live in. For example, the average salary for construction managers in California is over $100,000.
Are Construction Managers in Demand?
Construction managers are in high demand, and that demand is constantly and consistently growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction manager jobs are projected to grow at an accelerated rate of 11% between 2016 and 2026, which is faster than average for all occupations.
11%
career growth is expected by 2026 in construction management.
Why Choose WGU?
Instead of getting a bachelor’s in construction management, we recommend attaining a WGU business management or MBA. Why? Because:
- WGU offers a low, flat-rate tuition to ensure you’re charged the same amount per six-month term, no matter how many classes you take.
- WGU offers competency-based education that allows you to accelerate your program, graduate faster, and save money.
- WGU is affordable but offers financial aid and scholarships to make our tuition even more accessible.
- WGU’s business programs are career-focused, teaching you meaningful skills that translate directly to your work post-graduation.
Prepared for Success on the Job
*From a 2023 Harris Poll of 300 employers of WGU graduates.
100% of employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.*
97% of employers said that they would hire another WGU grad.*
98% of employers said WGU graduates met or exceeded expectations.*
Which Degree Should You Choose?
Choosing either of these degrees is a great alternative to a real estate degree program and can make sure you have training and credentials that will help you succeed.
Business
Business Management – B.S. Business Administration
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include:
- Business communication
- Product development
- Decision making models
- Project management strategies
- Budgeting for business
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
Business
Master of Business Administration
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:
- Time: Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Leadership strategies
- Talent management
- Communication
- Data collection and interpretation
- Financial statements
Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.
