Construction Management
Construction Management
Build Your Future with Construction Management!
Are you passionate about the construction industry and eager to lead in construction management? 鶹Ʒ's Construction Management major offers a dynamic and hands-on educational experience designed to prepare you for a successful career in the construction industry. Our program combines cutting-edge technology, practical skills, and industry insights to ensure you are ready to excel in your professional journey.
In this major, students gain comprehensive knowledge of the construction industry, from project planning and cost control to safety and field operations. They learn to interpret construction documents, apply surveying techniques, use CAD and BIM tools, and manage MEP systems. Emphasis is placed on communication, teamwork, and leadership. Through hands-on projects and simulations, students develop skills in scheduling, budgeting, site management, and risk assessment, preparing them for professional roles in construction management.
Where Can I Study?
- West Lafayette. Study in a Big Ten campus environment with access to facilities like the Caterpillar Simulator, Trimble Technology Lab, and the Lennar Foundation Construction Lab.
- Indianapolis. Learn in an urban, industry-connected setting with city-scale construction projects, apprenticeships, and internships.
Graduate in three years with this major as part of our Degree in 3 program. An advisor can help explain the course load and necessary requirements to complete your degree a year earlier.
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Program Details
AVAILABLE CONCENTRATIONS
Concentrations allow you to focus your studies on a specific area within your major. While a concentration is not required for this program, choosing one can help you tailor your coursework to your interests and career goals. Explore the options below to see how you can personalize your degree.
The Disaster Recovery and Demolition Management concentration provides focused study in managing construction projects involving damaged, obsolete or changing built environments. Through a flexible selection of advanced construction courses, students develop specialized knowledge that can support demolition, recovery, reconstruction and redevelopment projects across multiple industry sectors.
Coursework allows students to build competency in areas such as advanced building information modeling, heavy civil and industrial construction, healthcare facilities, mechanical and electrical systems, residential building science, and production homebuilding. Emphasis is placed on construction methods, system coordination, estimating, scheduling, equipment planning, quality control, safety, sustainability and the resolution of design and construction conflicts.
Students can tailor the concentration to the project types and technical systems most relevant to their career goals. Course options connect digital planning and multidisciplinary coordination with practical decision-making related to infrastructure, building systems, project delivery, field operations and the efficient use of labor, materials and equipment.
Graduates of this concentration are equipped to bring broad technical and managerial expertise to the complex process of dismantling, restoring or replacing built assets. They are prepared to coordinate specialized teams and systems while addressing the safety, logistical, financial and operational challenges associated with disaster recovery, demolition and redevelopment projects.
The Healthcare Construction Management concentration provides focused study in the planning, coordination and execution of healthcare facility projects, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories and long-term care environments. Healthcare construction represents one of the most technically complex and highly regulated sectors of the built environment, requiring specialized knowledge of infection control, occupied renovation, life-safety systems, and advanced mechanical and electrical infrastructure.
Students complete required coursework in healthcare planning, design integration and construction management, examining how project delivery must adapt to continuous operations, emergency routing, disruption avoidance and evolving medical technologies. Through a third course in either advanced Building Information Modeling (BIM) coordination or Mechanical and Electrical (MEP) construction management, students deepen their technical expertise in systems integration and project execution.
Graduates pursuing this concentration are prepared for roles in healthcare-focused contracting, preconstruction services, systems coordination and facilities modernization, as well as careers with healthcare systems, specialty contractors and integrated project delivery teams.
The Infrastructure Construction Management concentration provides focused study in the management and delivery of heavy civil and industrial infrastructure systems. The concentration develops specialized expertise in transportation construction, industrial process systems, utility infrastructure, equipment planning, and complex field operations associated with large-scale public and private infrastructure projects.
Through required coursework in heavy civil and industrial construction management, students gain competency in highway and bridge construction, deep foundations, industrial systems installation, heavy lift coordination, high-voltage infrastructure, and water and wastewater facilities. Emphasis is placed on construction methods, equipment utilization, safety management, quality control, and the logistical planning required to execute technically complex infrastructure projects.
Additional coursework in mechanical and electrical construction management strengthens students’ ability to integrate utility and energy systems, prepare contractor-level estimates, evaluate delivery methods, and coordinate multi-system installations in infrastructure environments.
Graduates of this concentration are equipped to manage the operational, technical and safety challenges associated with transportation, industrial and utility infrastructure projects that support essential public services and critical industrial systems.
The Mechanical & Electrical Systems Construction concentration provides focused study in the management and integration of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems within commercial and industrial building projects. The concentration develops specialized expertise in MEP estimating, system coordination, constructability analysis, value engineering and emerging energy technologies.
Through a two-course sequence in mechanical and electrical construction management, students gain competency in interpreting MEP drawings and specifications, preparing subcontractor-level estimates, analyzing labor and material costs, and evaluating delivery methods for complex building systems. Emphasis is placed on coordination across trades, prefabrication strategies, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and technology-driven installation practices.
Selective coursework further strengthens students’ ability to integrate building systems within industrial, healthcare and advanced technology environments, preparing graduates for careers with mechanical and electrical contractors, specialty subcontractors, preconstruction teams and integrated project delivery firms.
Graduates of this concentration are equipped to manage the technical and operational challenges associated with high-performance building systems and increasingly complex construction environments.
The Residential Construction Management concentration provides focused study in the planning, design, construction and management of residential building projects. Emphasizing both building science and production homebuilding practices, this concentration prepares students to lead residential projects that are efficient, sustainable, financially viable and responsive to market demands.
Students develop applied knowledge in high-performance housing, energy-efficient construction, durability, indoor environmental quality, and compliance with national and regional sustainability standards. Through coursework in production homebuilding, students examine subdivision planning, standardized design solutions, estimating and scheduling strategies, trade partner coordination, land development considerations, and customer service practices essential to large-scale residential operations.
Elective coursework allows students to strengthen competencies in digital construction technologies and mechanical and electrical systems that support residential estimating, coordination and performance optimization.
Graduates are prepared for careers with residential builders, developers, subcontractors and construction management firms involved in single-family, multifamily and master-planned community projects. The concentration supports industry demand for construction professionals who can integrate technical expertise, operational efficiency and sustainable building practices in the delivery of modern housing.
The Applied Construction Residency concentration provides an immersive, employer-embedded educational pathway that integrates academic study with progressive, full-time professional practice. The concentration consists of a structured three-semester residency with an approved construction industry partner.
This concentration is available only to Construction Management students at 鶹Ʒ in Indianapolis.
Through a three-course Applied Construction Practice sequence, students complete supervised and documented employment while applying construction management principles in active project environments. Students progressively assume greater responsibility in areas such as preconstruction planning, estimating, scheduling, cost control, safety management, subcontractor coordination, quality assurance and field operations.
The residency model strengthens technical competency, leadership, professional communication and operational decision-making by connecting classroom knowledge with measurable project outcomes. Students gain experience that can apply across commercial, industrial, infrastructure and specialty construction sectors.
Graduates are prepared to contribute immediately in roles such as project engineer, field engineer, assistant project manager, estimator, superintendent-in-training and construction operations coordinator.
The Structures concentration provides focused study in the analysis, design and construction of permanent and temporary structural systems used throughout the built environment. The concentration develops applied knowledge of reinforced concrete, structural steel, wood and mass timber construction.
This concentration is available only to Construction Management students at 鶹Ʒ in Indianapolis.
Through required coursework in reinforced concrete and steel construction, wood and timber construction, and temporary structures, students examine structural behavior, material properties, load transfer and constructability. Students also learn how temporary works safely and efficiently support construction operations throughout different project phases.
Emphasis is placed on evaluating structural systems, selecting appropriate materials and construction methods, maintaining regulatory compliance, and coordinating structural components within complex projects. Students also consider safety, sustainability and the operational requirements that affect structural construction decisions.
Graduates are prepared for roles in structural coordination, project engineering, preconstruction and specialty contracting, with an emphasis on the planning and delivery of structural systems.
Potential Employers
The Walsh Group
F.A. Wilhelm Construction
Hensel Phelps
Kiewit
Potential Job Titles
Project Manager
Field Engineer
Superintendent
Project Engineer
Where You'll Learn
The construction management technology program is accredited by the .
EVERY GIANT LEAP STARTS WITH ONE SMALL STEP
Course Highlights
Academic Opportunities
Study Abroad
All students in the 鶹Ʒcan choose to gain an enriched perspective of the global marketplace through a multitude of global experiences that both interest and benefit the student.
Minors
鶹Ʒoffers minors that provide unique opportunities to expand your knowledge, broaden your experience and prepare you for success after your time at Purdue.
Student Organizations
Student activities and organizations are a great way to immerse yourself in your chosen path of study. Choose from a variety of interests within the college organizations or university-level programs.
Purdue and the Polytechnic gave me all the resources I needed to stand on my own two feet and be confident in myself. All of my favorite projects gave me real-world experience and feedback from industry professionals. They pushed me past my comfort zone, and from that I’ve been able to grow into a man that is ready to enter the workforce."
Not everyone comes into this major with preexisting construction experience, and you gain that knowledge through labs and internships that serve as preparation for a variety of trades. I enjoyed the times when industry professionals came to our courses, and they provided many unforgettable lessons."
鶹Ʒgave me real, hands-on exposure to the construction industry from day one. Courses like CM 150 and 450 helped me understand what actually happens on a jobsite, while electives in sales and entrepreneurship strengthened my communication skills and business mindset—both of which will help me succeed in client-focused project roles."
What makes Purdue unique is that it pushes students to think practically while also preparing them to communicate professionally and lead in fast-paced environments. The faculty challenged me to think critically, work collaboratively, and hold myself to a high standard. On top of this, my professors helped connect classroom learning to the real construction industry."
I have gained a solid foundation in construction principles and project management at Purdue, primarily though hands-on labs and assignments. Just as one example: when I was a new college student, it was so exciting to build the Boiler Shed alongside other students who have since become lifelong friends."
Purdue gave me a solid foundation in construction management and the chance to apply what I learned through internships. Courses like Construction Materials and Methods and the Capstone project gave me real-world skills, while mentors like Toni Munguia and Danny Wyman helped me grow into a confident and capable professional."
