Construction Management M.S.
Contact Information
Dr. Scott Amos
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
C/M 118
(605) 394-2439
Scott.Amos@sdsmt.edu
More information: Construction Management Website
Program Summary
The graduate programs in Construction Management at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T) were established in 2009 as the result of a generous gift from Judy Carrington and alumni Richard Millard (CE ‘51). Their dream was big; they envisioned the Carrington Millard School of Construction Management (CM)2 and planned to create "The Best Construction Management School on Earth" right here at the School of Mines. Upon establishing the Carrington Millard fund, Millard stated, "Construction impacts every aspect of society. Our dream is to not only create a program that trains students to assume responsible roles in the construction industry, but that instills a passion for the industry as well." Millard passed away in July of 2007 before he could see his plan through to fruition, but his dream for the future is in good hands. The passion for the industry of which Millard spoke can be clearly seen in Dr. Scott Amos, the first director of the construction management program at the School of Mines.
Program Description
The programs reflect a collaborative effort between the donors, the construction industry and the university, and are intended to meet a growing need in the construction industry for technical professionals with management and applied research skills. The programs are designed to enable students with a bachelor's degree in a construction related technical field such as architecture, technology or engineering, to broaden their professional capabilities in the areas of construction project, program, and company management. Courses are offered on-campus and online over the Internet.
In today's competitive global economy, there is an increasing need for construction managers who have the ability to respond to the changing technical, organizational, and managerial environments within the engineering and construction industry. Today's construction organizations require managers who are well versed in all phases of projects, understand many different contracting strategies and are able to communicate with the many parties involved in a project. These managers must have leadership skills, be environmentally aware, safety conscious, and have a global perspective. They must be attuned to achieving satisfaction among their many customers by means of open communication, team work, and a commitment to achieving a quality project at a competitive price. Construction companies, industry, developers and government agencies require engineers with construction project management knowledge and skills.
The Master of Science in Construction Management (MSCM) degree is designed to provide a program of advanced study for candidates anticipating a managerial career in the construction industry. The construction management program is geared towards the working professional, although many students also enter the program immediately after completing an appropriate undergraduate degree. Most applicants to the program will have academic backgrounds in the traditional disciplines of civil, electrical, mechanical, architectural, or industrial engineering. The 32 hour "professional" curriculum culminates in a final project of professional quality to demonstrate capability in a specific area of interest and readiness for professional practice. The interdisciplinary curriculum includes over twenty-one hours of management oriented courses, up to six hours of technical electives, and five hours of professional practice research allowing a candidate's program of study to reflect both individual interests and career goals.
Practicing engineers or students seeking upper-level management positions in various construction related industries may be initially interested in the certificate in Construction Management. Further studies will lead to the Master of Science (MS) degree in Construction Management. General requirements for these degrees are stated in the current Catalog, and specific departmental requirements are contained in later sections of this guide. (Pending Approval of the certificate)
