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Construction Management
For those who are interested in hands-on, on-site field work, as well as collaborating with others, a degree in construction management is a great fit. You will likely spend plenty of time on the job site and in the construction trailer, managing and coordinating what’s happening on the field.
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Program Overview
With construction management, you’ll learn what it’s like to take charge of a project and see it through to the end. You’ll also have opportunities to apply your skills through practical internships. The blueprints for your future success in the construction business are right here, waiting for you at Dordt.
Studying construction management will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the construction industry, from the first point of contact on a project to wrapping up the final details at the end. You’ll also have opportunities to apply your skills through practical internships. And with a focus on construction management courses along with a small blend of core, business, engineering and technology courses, students will quickly learn what it's like to serve as project managers and leaders in the construction industry.
*There is also the option to pursue a B.A. in business administration with an emphasis in construction management.
What You'll Learn
You’ll prepare for a successful career in construction through courses in business, construction management, math, statistics, and physics. You’ll also learn how to apply your Christian faith to every project you take on.
What You Can Do With A Construction Management Degree
Construction management is a broad field. Earning your degree will help you find clarity for your future in the industry. With a Construction management degree from Dordt, you’ll be ready for jobs such as:
Project Manager
A project manager is a professional responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing projects to ensure they are completed on time, within budget, and meet defined goals.
Site Supervisor
A site supervisor oversees daily operations on a job site, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and according to project plans and regulations.
Construction Estimator
A construction estimator calculates the cost of construction projects by analyzing project plans, materials, labor, and other factors to provide accurate budget estimates and ensure financial feasibility.
Career Preparation
Dordt University's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Dordt graduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Dordt education provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”
Students who choose the construction management degree will complete courses in business administration, communication, engineering, and statistics in addition to completing foundational courses in construction management.
- Principles of Construction Management: An introductory survey course in construction management that begins by building a Christian perspective on the task and calling of a construction manager or construction engineer. The course introduces methods of construction project planning, scheduling, delivery, quality, and control. It also introduces construction contract types, construction cost estimating and accounting, along with an overview of construction method, practice, and safety.
- Construction Materials and Methods: A comprehensive study of the properties, sources, processing, methods, sequences, and equipment used in residential and commercial construction projects. Planning and managing of the construction process, including an introduction to structural and finish systems that make up building structures, are investigated. Appropriate application and responsible use of materials for design and functional intent is investigated. The environmental impact of construction is discussed.
- Construction Safety and Quality: A study of safety and quality control as it relates to construction management. An emphasis on the legal and financial impacts of safety and quality management is included, as well as a discussion of the ethical and regulatory issues involved. Causes and effects of safety and quality deficiencies in construction and the related methods to minimize these deficiencies.
- Project Management: This course is an introduction to the field of project management. The primary objective is to acquaint students with a broad basic overview of project management and the role of a project manager throughout the five primary processes of managing projects. The course will also cover common agile methodologies and principles because of how they relate to project management. The agile project management process encourages frequent inspection and adaptation, teamwork, accountability, self-organization, best practices that allows for rapid delivery and high quality, and a business approach that aligns development with customer needs and company goals. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
- Construction Estimating: An introduction to construction estimating and bid preparation with an emphasis on quantity takeoff. Includes a detailed study and application of pricing, subcontract evaluation, and bidding techniques using blueprints and specifications. Project types studied include residential, light commercial, and commercial building projects.
- Soil Mechanics and Foundation Design: A study of the engineering principles relating to soil properties and foundation design. The material properties of soil including structure, index properties, permeability, compressibility, and consolidation will be explored. Methods of soil testing, identification, and remediation will be covered. Principles of settlement and stresses in soils will be considered. Slope stability, retaining walls, and bearing capacity of shallow foundations will be introduced. The soils lab will provide hands-on opportunities to determine water content, perform sieve analyses, and test liquid, plastic, and shrinkage limits. Soil classification, compaction, compression, and consolidation testing will be explored.
- Risk Management for Construction: A study of the systematic process used to minimize the degree of uncertainty and control risks in construction projects. An emphasis on identifying, analyzing, assessing, mitigating, transferring, and monitoring risk is included, as well as processes to implement risk management strategies at all stages in a construction project.
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Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Science and Technology Center
While studying construction management, you'll have the opportunity to spend time in Dordt's Science and Technology Center. Informally known as the "Science Building," the Science and Technology Center is home to labs for mechanical engineering, electronics, electrical engineering, and computer-aided design.
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Student Stories
Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
Learning to Let Go and Let God
Darryl Van GrouwAfter growing up in the same church and school for his entire life, Darryl's experience at Dordt allowed him to grow outside of his comfort zone and gain perseverance and appreciation for the good things in life.
Darryl Van Grouw
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Confidence and Connections
Cody ZimmermanThe lively environment of Dordt helped transform Cody from an introvert to an extrovert and provided him with the preparation for his career that he would not have gotten anywhere else.
Cody Zimmerman
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