Recently, we discussed what jobs you can get with a Master’s in Project Management, and what project management actually is. Here, we’ll take a closer look at how to become a construction manager.

We’ll review the construction management career, talk about what they actually do, and explain which degree you should consider if you want a career as a construction manager. Finally, we’ll explain why you should consider earning your Master of Project Management from CSU Global.

If you’re interested in planning, coordinating, and supervising construction projects from start to finish, then this article will help you understand how to begin your career as a construction manager.

Once you’ve finished learning all about this career path, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our online Master’s Degree program in Project Management. If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

Is Construction Management a Good Career?

Yes, becoming a construction manager is a great career, especially if you are an organized person who is skilled at and interested in managing the logistics of large and complex projects.

This field is dynamic, and a career as a construction manager promises to be engaging and stable, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% growth of job opportunities in the field from 2020 to 2030. As our economy continues to grow, demand for professionals with the logistical and analytical skills to manage these projects will grow alongside.

It can also be a lucrative career field. BLS states that the median annual wage for construction managers in 2020 was $97,180.

If you’re interested in supervising the construction of a wide range of projects, from residential structures to roads and bridges, a career in construction management could potentially be an engaging, interesting, and reliable choice.

What Do Construction Managers Actually Do?

Construction managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising construction projects from beginning to end. But don’t be fooled by this straightforward definition, this career requires professionals to wear many hats and be capable of adapting quickly and efficiently to a range of challenges. 

Construction managers need to be able to manage the many moving pieces involved in construction projects, from preparing cost estimates and budgets to collaborating with architects, engineers, and other specialists.

On any given day, a construction manager might have to manage personnel, prepare progress reports for stakeholders, ensure the project is on schedule, and respond quickly to an emergency or work delay as it arises.

From hiring diverse teams of skilled workers and specialists to managing multiple construction sites at the same time, these highly skilled professionals need to be able to pivot from one concern to the next all while balancing the big picture and ensuring the projects are completed on schedule and within budget.

If this sounds like an appealing career, then you’ll want to make sure you have the skills you need to gain a competitive edge over other construction managers in the market. The best way to do that is by earning a relevant degree, such as a Master’s in Project Management.

Do I Need A Degree to Get a Job as a Construction Manager?

While it is possible to find employment in this field without a degree, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that candidates with the right degree will have much better career prospects overall.

If you’re interested in a career as a construction manager, you’ll want to develop the appropriate skills to be effective within your role. That includes:

  • The ability to execute effective planning and control strategies for time, cost, scope, and risk management.
  • The capacity to apply advanced project management and organizational principles to successfully supervise projects.
  • The ability to critically analyze the work environment to ensure successful project delivery.

The best way to establish expertise in these areas while also gaining confidence to pursue your desired career is to earn a degree in this field.

When it comes to choosing which degree to get, you’ll find several excellent options available from CSU Global. 

Which Degree Should I Get?

You’ll want to get the degree that best meets your professional needs and provides the most thorough grounding in the advanced skills needed to be a successful construction manager.

CSU Global offers several GAC-accredited, well-respected project management programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, including:

The degree or certificate you select ultimately depends on your previous education and work experience. If you want to reach the top of the field and utilize sophisticated project management tactics within complex and multifaceted construction projects, you may want to consider earning your Master’s in Project Management.

What Can I Do With a Master’s Degree in Project Management?

A Master’s Degree in Project Management is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for upper-level management and leadership positions in challenging and multipart construction projects or other project management career paths.

When you earn your Masters in Project Management, you’ll establish a thorough understanding and deep expertise in the foundational and advanced skills that form the backbone of any project management or construction management role, including:

  • Decision sciences
  • Risk management
  • Project control and monitoring
  • Financial metrics

As a student in CSU Global’s Master’s Degree in Project Management, you’ll develop the ability to evaluate, synthesize, analyze, and apply diverse project management concepts when leading projects on a multi-national scale.

Even if you don’t ultimately end up pursuing a career as a construction manager, earning your Master’s in Project Management can open the door to a range of careers in this modern and growing field, including:

  • Project Manager
  • Business Operations Specialist
  • IT Project Manager
  • Digital Project Manager
  • Web Project Manager
  • Construction Manager

Whether you pursue a career as a construction manager or in another area of this diverse field, earning your Master’s Degree in Project Management will set you up with the skills required to drive successful results from day one.

Is A Degree in Project Management Really Worth It?

Yes, a Master’s Degree in Project Management is absolutely worth it, especially if you aspire to effectively lead complex construction projects with confidence.

Construction management is a complicated and challenging field, where many moving parts can be involved in a single project. Earning your Master’s Degree in Project Management helps you develop the capacity to skillfully manage every aspect of a construction project from start to finish. Completing your degree can also make you a competitive candidate as you enter the workforce, helping you stand out to future employers.

It may feel like a big investment of time and energy, but earning your Master’s in Project Management is one of the best ways to commit to your future career and set yourself up for financial and professional success.

Can I Get My Master’s in Project Management Online?

Yes, you can earn your Master’s in Project Management online from a fully accredited and well-respected institution, such as CSU Global.

CSU Global’s Master of Project Management is a top-ranked program that is not only regionally accredited but also accredited by the Project Management Institute’s Global Accreditation Center (GAC), one of the leading accrediting bodies in the field.

When you choose to pursue your online degree with CSU Global, you can rest assured that your academic experience will be one of rigor and integrity, because at CSU Global, what you see is what you get, with our accredited and well-respected degree programs offered at affordable tuition rates with no hidden fees or other costs.

All our degree programs are designed specifically for online students, so you can balance your work and family responsibilities alongside your education. This includes no set class times or locations, monthly class starts, and accelerated eight-week courses.

Our online Master’s in Project Management makes it easy for you to pursue your career as a construction manager without compromising on your existing obligations.

What Makes CSU Global the Best University for Studying Project Management?

Enrolling in CSU Global’s online Master’s program in Project Management is one of the best ways to gain the foundational knowledge, skills, and credentials you need to achieve long-term success as a professional project manager.

Our Master’s program is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and accredited by the Global Accreditation Center (GAC) for Project Management Education Programs, which means that our alumni are granted substantial credit toward the experience requirement if they choose to apply and pursue any PMI certifications.

All of our master’s program instructors have direct, recent experience in the field, and our program was designed to prepare you to assume command of large-scale, organizational projects, providing you with the training and skills needed to oversee project selection, direct teams of people, monitor resource levels, and create a total organizational perspective that goes beyond silo thinking.

Our Master of Project Management program also holds several excellent rankings, including:

CSU Global itself also holds several great rankings, including:

  • A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges & Schools in Colorado from Best Accredited Colleges.
  • A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges in Colorado from Best Colleges.
  • A #10 ranking for Best Online Colleges for ROI from OnlineU.

Finally, we offer competitive tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee to ensure that your affordable rate won’t increase as long as you remain enrolled with us.

To get additional details about our fully accredited, 100% online Master’s Degree in Project Management please give us a call at (800) 462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now!