Academic Programs Catalog

The Master of Science degree program with a major in construction management is designed to provide breadth in the managerial, technological, economic, and environmental aspects of construction.  The program is also designed to provide depth through a systems approach encompassing project management, estimating, scheduling and project controls, land acquisition and development, architectural and engineering design, construction technology, real estate, finance, business management, and marketing.

The master’s program in construction management is available under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis).  Students who anticipate careers in teaching, consulting, or research, or who plan to pursue a doctoral program, are encouraged to select Plan A.  After the student’s academic advisor has approved the student’s program of study under Plan A, the student may not pursue the program under Plan B without the approval of the school.

Students who are enrolled in the master’s program in construction management often take courses in business management, labor and industrial relations, civil engineering, human environment and design, resource development, urban planning, statistics, or education, in addition to courses in the major.  Students may work directly with one or more faculty members on an independent basis to cover material that is not available through regular courses.

Master of Science

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the master's degree program in construction management, an applicant must take the Graduate Record Examination General Test and have the scores submitted to the department.

To be admitted to the program on regular status, an applicant must:

1. Have a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management or in a related area such as architecture, business, design, engineering, management, or urban planning.
2. Have a cumulative grade–point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the undergraduate program.
3. Have experience in the construction industry acceptable to the department.
4. Have completed as part of the undergraduate program 3 semester credits of introductory calculus (MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I or its equivalent); 3 semester credits of introductory physics (PHY 231 Introductory Physics I or its equivalent).

Applicants who do not meet the requirements referenced in item 1. and 4. above may be required to complete specified collateral courses with a grade-point average of at least 3.00. These courses will not count toward the degree. The guidance committee will determine which courses are required as collateral courses for each applicant.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Construction Management

The student must complete a total of 30 credits for the degree under Plan A (with thesis) or 33 credits for the degree under Plan B (without thesis). For students who elect independent study courses, including Construction Management 890, no more than 6 credits under Plan A and 9 credits under Plan B may be counted toward the requirements for the degree. The student’s program of study must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and must meet the requirements specified below:

Transfer Credits

No more than 9 semester credits of graduate course work (excluding research and thesis credits) may be transferred from other recognized educational institutions.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in cooperation with the Landscape Architecture program and the Interior Design program in the School of Planning, Design and Construction and the Departments of Horticulture and Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies participate in the Master of Arts degree in Environmental Design. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is the primary administrative unit.

The purpose of this master’s degree is to train students to address the environment-related issues in research and design using scientific, evidence-based approach. The program focuses on the complex interdisciplinary nature for sustainable environments. Students will develop a highly individualized plan of study with a focus in sustainable built, natural, and virtual environments. Students who are enrolled in the program will be able to take courses on ecology, human environment and design, construction management, social science, environmental resource development, city and regional planning, statistics or education, in addition to courses in the major.

The Master of Arts Degree in Environmental Design addresses four areas of professional development. These include:

1. acquisition of in-depth knowledge in the area of environmental design theory;
2. development of problem-solving skills within an interdisciplinary professional context;
3. development of technological expertise and a knowledge base in a selected area of environmental research and design; and
4. a greater command of analytical, graphic, written, and oral communication skills.

All students will take a core of three courses in environmental design (theory, seminar, and studio), in addition to either a Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). Students will elect relevant courses in fields which pertain to their design area of interest.

The program is planned to provide an alternative to traditional professional degrees by addressing the needs of students with undergraduate design backgrounds who wish to work in an interdisciplinary setting while pursuing an area of individual interest.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts in Environmental Design, the applicant must have:

1. completed a bachelor’s degree in a design related field such as horticulture, park and recreation, interior design, landscape architecture, or architecture.
2. a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0 in design and technology courses with an academic background sufficient to indicate probable success in the program.
3. satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE) as judged by the environmental design faculty. No substantive area GRE examinations are required.
4. acceptance as an advisee by a participating environmental design faculty member.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Environmental Design

Students in the Master of Arts in Environmental Design must complete a total of 33 credits for the degree under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A minimum of 17 of those credits must be at the 800-level or above, distributed as follows:

For Plan A , students must complete a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 9 credits of Master’s Thesis Research (899) in one of the following departments: Planning, Design and Construction; Horticulture;  or Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies. They must also prepare a written thesis and pass an oral examination.

For Plan B, students must complete 6 credits of Master’s Research (898) in one of the following departments: Planning, Design and Construction; Horticulture;  or Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies. They must also complete either a major planning or design project or pass a comprehensive examination.

The many aspects of our built and natural environment – buildings, facilities, interior spaces, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and communities – are an integral part of our society. Every new space and structure serves to define and shape a community’s personality. Poor planning design and/or construction can compromise a community’s appearance and drain its resources. Conversely, well-planned, designed and constructed environments sustain and enrich a community.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Planning, Design and Construction with a concentration in construction management, environmental design, or urban and regional planning will enable students to meet future challenges. Graduates of this program will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the effects of plans, regulations, design, materials, project management techniques, and construction systems on the economic, environmental, and social concerns of stakeholders and society.

Admission

To be considered for regular admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Planning, Design and Construction, an applicant must have all of the following:

1. A master’s degree in a related field.
2. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
3. GRE scores no lower than 301 in combined verbal and quantitative and at least 4.0 analytical.
4. TOEFL scores (for international applicants):
   1. Paper-based – no lower than 575 (with no sub scores below 52)
   2. Computer-based – no lower than 235 (with no sub scores below 19)
   3. Internet-based – no lower than 90 (with no sub scores below 19 for reading, listening, and   speaking, and no writing sub score below 22)

Additionally, students are encouraged to submit a sample of scholarly work or a portfolio of design work. Depending on the proposed area of concentration, the school may ask for  additional background information.

Provisional admission may be granted to an applicant who does not meet the above requirements but demonstrates outstanding potential. Collateral course work will not count  towards degree requirements.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture  and Natural Resources and the College of Social Science, the student must meet the requirements specified below.

Guidance Committee

The guidance committee should be comprised of at least four faculty members. The chairperson and one other committee member should be from the student’s area of concentration within the School, a third member can be from the student’s area of concentration or another area of concentration within the School, and a fourth member must be from outside the school.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Planning, Design and Construction

The student must:

The Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development and Construction trains students to gain knowledge about real estate development and to integrate sustainable principles that shape our built environments for current and future generations. The program is available online only.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development and Construction

The Graduate Certificate in Urban Resilient trains students to gain knowledge about urban resilient redevelopment and to integrate sustainable principles that shape our built environments for current and future generations. The program is available online only.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Urban Resilient Redevelopment