Construction Management - Questions for Engineers & Project Managers

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the educational pathways and career transitions for individuals in the construction industry, specifically focusing on the journey from technical roles to management positions. Participants explore the implications of pursuing a business degree versus an engineering degree, the requirements for graduate programs in Construction Management, and the relevance of accreditation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to transition from an HVAC/Building controls technician to a managerial role, questioning whether a BS in general business would suffice for a graduate degree in Construction Management.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential future requirements for graduate programs, with some participants noting a trend towards requiring a CM or engineering degree.
  • Another participant mentions the flexibility of some graduate programs regarding undergraduate degrees, though uncertainty remains about future trends.
  • Discussion includes the consideration of online degree options, with specific mention of Old Dominion University and its distance learning programs.
  • Some participants debate the value of an engineering technology degree versus a traditional engineering degree, particularly regarding licensing and career advancement.
  • There are comments questioning the relevance of the discussion to physics, with responses indicating that it relates more to engineering and academic guidance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the value of engineering technology degrees compared to traditional engineering degrees, and there is no consensus on the best educational path for transitioning into construction management. Additionally, the relevance of the discussion to physics remains contested.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of accreditation and the potential for changes in program requirements over time, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding future educational pathways in construction management.

ideafx
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Hi,

I have a few questions for anyone who is currently working in construction as an engineer or project manager.

I'm an HVAC/Building controls technician/installer and I want to pursue a career in the managerial side of the business. I only have an AS degree in electromechanical technology. I believe my shortest path to a graduate degree would be to pursue a BS in general business. Then I can enroll in a MS degree program in Construction Management.

As much as I would like to pursue an an engineering degree, my schedule would not allow it. I work 50-60 hours/week. Because of this, I'm forced to pursue a business degree online from a fully (regionally) accredited university. Would not having a BS in CM or engineering present a problem if I wanted to pursue a graduate degree in CM?

I know some schools have prerequisite courses that are required for a MSCM if you don't already have a CM/Engineering degree. Some of these schools seem to be pretty flexible when it comes to the types of undergrad degrees they allow into their graduate programs. However, I'm not sure if it's going to be that way in 5-10 years. There seems to be a growing movement towards certification for CMs, and I think a CM/Engineering degree is going to be a major requirement. An MBA in CM would be ideal, but not many schools offer it right now.

Anyway, I'm a little confused as to what I should do. Your thoughts?
 
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ideafx said:
Hi,

I have a few questions for anyone who is currently working in construction as an engineer or project manager.

I'm an HVAC/Building controls technician/installer and I want to pursue a career in the managerial side of the business. I only have an AS degree in electromechanical technology. I believe my shortest path to a graduate degree would be to pursue a BS in general business. Then I can enroll in a MS degree program in Construction Management.

As much as I would like to pursue an an engineering degree, my schedule would not allow it. I work 50-60 hours/week. Because of this, I'm forced to pursue a business degree online from a fully (regionally) accredited university. Would not having a BS in CM or engineering present a problem if I wanted to pursue a graduate degree in CM?

I know some schools have prerequisite courses that are required for a MSCM if you don't already have a CM/Engineering degree. Some of these schools seem to be pretty flexible when it comes to the types of undergrad degrees they allow into their graduate programs. However, I'm not sure if it's going to be that way in 5-10 years. There seems to be a growing movement towards certification for CMs, and I think a CM/Engineering degree is going to be a major requirement. An MBA in CM would be ideal, but not many schools offer it right now.

Anyway, I'm a little confused as to what I should do. Your thoughts?

Old Dominion University has a distance BSET degree...are you not interested in it?

http://dl.odu.edu/database.php?todo=program&level=1

CS
 
Last edited by a moderator:
stewartcs said:
Old Dominion University has a distance BSET degree...are you not interested in it?

http://dl.odu.edu/database.php?todo=program&level=1

CS

I was considering it, but it's an engineering technology degree. Not a regular engineering degree. It doesn't make much sense to put in the extra work to get that degree if it's not going to allow me to get an engineering license anyway.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
ideafx said:
I was considering it, but it's an engineering technology degree. Not a regular engineering degree. It doesn't make much sense to put in the extra work to get that degree if it's not going to allow me to get an engineering license anyway.

Most of the BSET degrees (at ODU) are accredited by TAC/ABET so you can get your PE. The CET degree is one of those that is accredited:

http://www.eng.odu.edu/et/academics/cet/cet.shtml

There is not that much difference in an engineering technology degree and normal engineering degree.

CS
 
Last edited by a moderator:
what the heck does this have to do physics?
 
lubuntu said:
what the heck does this have to do physics?

It has more to do with engineering, but I can't find an engineering forum with users that post regularly.

Sorry.
 
lubuntu said:
what the heck does this have to do physics?

Nothing, that's why it was correctly posted in the Academic Guidance sub-forum.

What benefit does your comment add to the discussion?

CS
 
  • #10
ideafx said:
It has more to do with engineering, but I can't find an engineering forum with users that post regularly.

Sorry.

No need to apologize, you posted your question in the correct place.

CS
 

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