Construction Management: Which program to choose?

I have a choice between two construction management programs. One is ACCE accredited and the other is ABET. Which program or accreditation is better?

ABET:
http://www.farmingdale.edu/academics/curriculum/bs-construction-management-engineering-technology.shtml

ACCE:

There’s a management option and an engineering science option. I was thinking of going with the management option, but I’ll still post the engineering science option.

Management option - https://www.unlv.edu/degree/bs-construction-management-management

Engineering science option - https://www.unlv.edu/degree/bs-construction-management-engineering-science

Personally, I wouldn’t pursue the CM degree by itself. I would focus on a particular engineering discipline and then pursue intern or part-time work at a construction company. This would make you more well rounded. I have a science BS and an engineering Masters and have been on the owners side of construction for over 20 years.

@mcr976 By the owners side do you mean you’re a representative of a client? Please explain. I was looking at CM because I was more interested in running the projects and possibly starting my own construction company later on. Also I shied away from engineering disciplines because I felt like I wouldn’t have the brain for it. Wheras CM seemed more business focused and I always had an interest in how businesses were run.

I did notice that civil engineering is recommended alot in place of a CM degree. I believe the reasoning being that you could get design jobs when there’s a recession. Your input on this would be appreciated too.

I too would recommend going through the engineering degree instead of the CM degree for 3 reasons:

  1. CM firms like to teach recent grads how to do things their way. You don’t really need to learn what you do in a CM program to work for a contractor.

2, An engineering degree leaves you the option of becoming a professional engineer, in case you need it. Heavy civil contractor tend to like those.

  1. An engineering degree gives you more options upon graduation.

What’s the best choice? That’s really something you’ll have to figure out on your own. If you feel you can be successful in a civil engineering program, that would be the way to go.

Another thing you should take into consideration is where you’d like to work after graduation. It’ll be easier to find jobs closer to your school. New York contractors won’t be going to the west coast to recruit and vice versa.

I quoted the above for two reasons. First, you likely know at this point if you can handle engineering or not. Lots of advantages to an engineering degree, but it is more rigorous. It’s not uncommon for students to drop out of engineering and switch to other majors, including construction management. And that’s OK.

The second, is that you’ve likely not taken the engineering critical-tracking courses (Calc 1, 2, 3, Diff Eq, Phy(w/calc) 1, 2, etc.). Switching to engineering may put you back a year or more from graduation, and that may not be an option.

I only have a bit of knowledge with UF"s program (which I would only select, if you want to stay and work in Florida, after graduation, see ken285’s point above about location). Here’s the typical career path and average salaries (in Florida and the southeast) for UF’s graduates of the Rinker School of Construction Management.

http://www.bcn.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/High-School-to-project-manager-flow-chart.general2.pdf
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When looking at these CM programs, ask about job placement, internships, etc. You’re looking for programs that have strong connections to industry.

Good Luck!!

@Gator88NE. You’re right I can’t afford the extra time it takes to do the engineering track and honestly I’m more interested in the management positions so as to understand how these companies run and eventually open my own.

I never really thought about location and recruiting just thought if I had the degree I could work anywhere. The NY school would be more cost effective for me, wouldn’t have to pay for dorming.

I was wondering when it comes to Construciton Management and Construction Management Engineering Technology is either worse than the other? I was only able to find info concerning engineering majors like CE and ME. It was recommended that one take the traditional engineering degree instead of the engineering technology one. Does the same thing apply for CM or I’ll be presented with the same opportunities regardless of which program I choose.

It’s not that you can’t work anywhere. It’s just easier to get job opportunities closer to your school.

Engineering to Engineering Technology isn’t the same relationship as CM to CM Technology. Look at the programs curriculum and choose the school with the courses you want to take.

All of these schools will have job fairs and connections to local construction businesses. You could attend UF, for example, but you wouldn’t be able to take full advantage of it’s job fairs and connections, if you didn’t plan on working in the southeast. You could still find employment in the northeast, it just makes it a bit harder.

Thanks guys. I’ll be applying to Farmingdale.

Best of luck to you!

@dipoet Yes, I represent the owner. While it is rewarding and stressful, it does not necessarily involve the hours that a typical CM does