Construction Management

• Department Information
• M.S. in Construction Management
• Certificate Programs
• Other Degree Requirements
• Graduate Courses

Department Information

Department of Engineering
College of Science
Office: VBT 346
Phone: (510) 885-2654
Website: www20.csueastbay.edu/csci/departments/engineering/

Professors
Karina Garbesi (Geography and Environmental Studies), Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
Christopher W. K. Lubwama (Accounting and Finance), Ph.D. Simon Fraser University (Canada)
Saeid Motavalli (Chair), Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh
Helen Zong, Ph.D. University of Houston

Associate Professors
David Bowen, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
Farnaz Ganjeizadeh, Ph.D. University of Alabama at Huntsville
Tammie X. Simmons-Mosley (Accounting and Finance), Ph.D. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Assistant Professor
Farzad Shahbodaghlou, Ph.D. Purdue University

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M.S. in Construction Management

Program Description

The Department of Engineering is offering an interdisciplinary Masters of Science degree in Construction Management. This degree is designed for working professionals who are in leadership/management positions in the construction industry or planning to advance their careers to manage large construction projects.

The goals of the Masters of Science degree in Construction Management are to prepare effective managers for large public and private construction projects, to prepare the workforce required for the expected increase in the state's transportation infrastructure improvements, and to enable current and future engineers and other professionals to assume leadership roles in the construction industry.

This program is different from other construction management programs as it is based on a well-balanced curriculum covering various aspects of the construction management profession. Special attention is given to working professionals with classes offered at times convenient for the students. Students will take required courses in legal and environmental issues in construction, project planning and control, cost estimating, financial and risk management issues. Also issues in construction safety and current trends in construction industry will be discussed. Students will also have a broad choice of electives from courses in construction management, engineering, business, or other graduate courses with department approval.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Masters of Science degree in Construction Management is to prepare effective managers to lead medium and large public and private construction projects, prepare a technically capable management workforce requirement for the expected increase in the state's transportation infrastructure improvement projects, and enable current and future engineers and other professionals to assume leadership roles in the construction industry.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with an M.S. in Construction Management from Cal State East Bay will

1. have knowledge in the core construction management areas (legal issues in construction, environmental issues, project planning and control, financial decision making, risk analysis, and safety),
2. have knowledge in broad areas of construction management beyond the core areas,
3. have the ability to communicate effectively,
4. have the ability to function in teams,
5. have the knowledge of sustainable building and construction techniques and relevant state regulations,
6. have an awareness of the complex environment (involving professional and ethical responsibilities) in which they will practice their profession,
7. have the ability to educate themselves and be prepared for lifelong learning and professional development, and
8. have experience in solving real life problems.

Career Opportunities

With the expected increase in large construction work, in part stemming from the increase in public spending on California's transportation infrastructure improvement, there is considerable demand for individuals who can technically and scientifically manage large construction projects. The construction industry, as a whole, is one of the largest industries in the nation with a great need for skilled project managers. Sample jobs are construction manager, site manager and others.

Features

The M.S. in Construction Management is designed to accommodate working adults. The class meetings will be conducted at times convenient for the students. The instructors will be selected from the industry leaders with significant construction management work experience. Students will have the opportunity to take elective courses in construction management, engineering, business, or other graduate courses with department approval, to broaden their skills.

Admission

The M.S. in Construction Management is open to individuals planning a career or advancing their career in the construction industry, and who have

1. a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 (4.0 basis) in their undergraduate work,
2. relevant work experience, and
3. College Algebra and Trigonometry or equivalent level math courses.

In addition to the University Graduate and Post-baccalaureate Application, all applicants should submit to the department:

1. personal statement explaining their reasons for wanting to pursue the M.S. in Construction Management degree,
2. a resume detailing their professional and academic achievements, and
3. two letters of recommendation.

Admission to the University and admission to the M.S. in Construction Management degree program are separate steps.

Student Standing and Progress Toward the Degree

There are three categories of student status which reflect student progress toward the degree: "Conditionally Classified Graduate" student, "Classified Graduate" student, and "Advancement to Candidacy" student.

1. Students achieve "Conditionally Classified Graduate" status when they have been admitted to the M.S. in Construction Management degree program, but have not yet completed the prerequisites for "Classified Graduate" status in the M.S. in Construction Management.
2. Students achieve "Classified Graduate" status when they have satisfied the University Writing Skills Requirement. For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661.
3. Students are advanced to Candidacy when they have completed the required courses with a 3.0 or better GPA.

Note: Students who fail to maintain progress by falling below a 3.0 GPA in their graduate courses for two or more consecutive quarters will be academically disqualified from the university.

Degree Requirements

The M.S. degree program in Construction Management requires completion of 48 quarter units distributed among required courses, elective courses, and the Project. Of these units, at least 35 units must be completed in residence (transfer units are limited to 13 quarter units); at least 24 units must be in courses in the 6000 series. No course numbered 1000 to 2999 (or equivalent if taken elsewhere) may be used as part of the 48-unit graduate degree program.

No more than 4 units of Independent Study (CMGT 6900) may be counted toward the 48 units required for the degree. Project credit may not exceed 4 units.

A grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained in all 48-quarter units taken to satisfy the degree requirements. All graduate degree requirements must be completed within five (5) years.

Sample Program
A Sample Program for this degree can be found at the department website: www20.csueastbay.edu/csci/departments/engineering/.

Curricular Requirements (48 units)

1. Required Courses (36 units)
   • CMGT 6100 Engineering Graphics for Construction Management (4)
   • CMGT 6200 Legal Issues in Construction Management (4)
   • CMGT 6300 Environmental Issues and Green Building (4)
   • CMGT 6400 Construction Cost Estimating (4)
   • CMGT 6500 Construction Project Planning and Control, Computer Tools (4)
   • CMGT 6600 Financial Decision Making and Reporting in Construction (4)
   • CMGT 6700 Construction Risk Management and Commissioning (4)
   • CMGT 6800 Construction Safety (4)
   • CMGT 6850 Current Issues in Construction Management (4)
2. Elective Courses (8 units)
   Eight (8) quarter units of graduate course credit from the following list or other graduate courses with department approval.
   • CMGT 6860 Utility Systems Construction (4)
   • CMGT 6870 Advanced Integrated Computer Applications (4)
   • CMGT 6900 Independent Study (1-4)
   • ENGR 5601 Statistics and Probability for Science and Engineering I (4)
   • ENGR 6200 Project Management (4), ENGR 6400 Research Methods in Engineering Management (4)
   • MGMT 6130 Enterprise Planning and Control (4)
   • MGMT 6526, 7810 Quality Management (4)
3. Capstone Experience (4 units)
   • CMGT 6899 Project (4); or pass the comprehensive examination and complete an additional 4-unit elective course with departmental approval.

Incompletes
Students accumulating more than 8 units of work graded "I" may not register for courses applicable to the degree until the "I" grades are removed.

Capstone Experience
To complete a research project, students enroll in CMGT 6899 Project (4 units). The Project is a capstone cumulative experience based on the coursework completed for the degree and is accompanied by a written document. A faculty member from the department supervises the student's work. One bound copy of the written component of the Project is required for the department.

Grades of "RP" (Report in Progress) may be given for a Project that is not completed at the end of the quarter. The "RP" grade must be removed within one year or it will become an "F." 

Granting the Degree
Upon satisfaction of all requirements for the degree, the department will recommend that the candidate be granted the Master of Science degree in Construction Management. Students must file for graduation by the end of the second week of the quarter prior to the quarter in which they expect to graduate.

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Certificate Programs

Certificate in Construction Planning and Control

This certificate program consists of 16 units and is designed to give recognition to students who complete a curriculum emphasizing Construction Planning and Control. This is a curriculum designed for construction and construction-related professionals interested in expanding their horizons and career opportunities without committing to the masters degree program requiring 48 units. This certificate program offers a concentrated training in construction project management. The certificate is applicable towards a master’s degree in Construction Management after the student applies, gains acceptance, and completes the remainder of the curriculum for the degree. Courses in Construction Cost Estimating, Construction Project Planning and Control—Computer Tools, Financial Decision Making and Reporting in Construction and Construction Safety emphasize the project management side of the profession.

Admission to the Program

The Certificate Program in Construction Project Planning and Control is open to graduates of accredited institutions who have a bachelor’s degree in any construction related field and who have achieved a GPA of at least 2.50. Applicants failing to meet these criteria may petition the Selection Committee for a waiver of these requirements.

Prerequisites

1. A baccalaureate degree in any construction related field from an accredited university with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 (4.0 basis) in their undergraduate work,
2. relevant work experience, and
3. College Algebra and Trigonometry or equivalent level math courses.

Continued Participation in the Program

Students must achieve a minimum grade of "B" (3.0) in each required course for continued participation and pass a comprehensive written examination upon completion of the program.

Note: All the courses in the Construction Planning and Control Certificate are required in the M.S. Construction Management degree. If a student wishes to seek admission to and complete the graduate program after completing this certificate, all 16 units can be transferred and used in the master’s. Sixteen is the maximum number of units a student can transfer into the M.S. Construction Management degree.

Required Courses (16 units)

• CMGT 6400 Construction Cost Estimating (4)
• CMGT 6500 Construction Project Planning and Control (4)
• CMGT 6600 Financial Decision Making & Reporting in Construction (4)
• CMGT 6800 Construction Safety (4)

Certificate in Construction Project Administration

This certificate program consists of 16 units and is designed to give recognition to students who complete a curriculum emphasizing Construction Project Administration. This is a curriculum designed for construction and construction-related professionals interested in expanding their horizons and career opportunities without committing to the masters degree program requiring 48 units. This certificate program offers a concentrated training in construction project administration. The certificate is applicable towards a master’s degree in Construction Management after the student applies, gains acceptance, and completes the remainder of the curriculum for the degree. Courses in Legal Issues in Construction Management, Environmental Issues and Green Building, Construction Risk Management and Commissioning, and Current Issues in Construction Management emphasize the project administration side of the profession.

Admission to the Program

The Certificate Program in Construction Project Administration is open to graduates of accredited institutions who have a bachelor’s degree in any construction related field and who have achieved a GPA of at least 2.50. Applicants failing to meet these criteria may petition the Selection Committee for a waiver of these requirements.

Prerequisites

1. A baccalaureate degree in any construction related field from an accredited university with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 (4.0 basis) in their undergraduate work,
2. relevant work experience, and
3. College Algebra and Trigonometry or equivalent level math courses.

Continued Participation in the Program

Students must achieve a minimum grade of "B" (3.0) in each required course for continued participation and pass a comprehensive written examination upon completion of the program. Note that all the courses in the Construction Administration Certificate are required in the M.S. Construction Management degree. If a student wishes to seek admission to and complete the graduate program after completing this certificate, all 16 units can be transferred and used in the master’s. Sixteen is the maximum number of units a student can transfer into the M.S. Construction Management degree.

Required Courses (16 units)

• CMGT 6200 Legal Issues in Construction Management (4)
• CMGT 6300 Environmental Issues and Green Building (4)
• CMGT 6700 Construction Risk Management and Commissioning (4)
• CMGT 6850 Current Issues in Construction Management (4)

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Other Degree Requirements

In addition to departmental requirements, every student must also satisfy the university requirements for graduation which are described in the Graduate Degree Information chapter in this catalog. These include the 32-unit residence requirement, the five year rule on currency of subject matter, the minimum number of units of 6000-level courses, the 3.00 grade point average, and the University Writing Skills Requirement. For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661.

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Graduate Courses

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