The Master of Construction Management (MCM) is a 30-unit part-time program designed to enhance leadership, management, and technical capabilities while providing experience to relevant best practices and technologies for professionals in the built environment. The curriculum augments project-based learning with interdisciplinary teamwork for an authentic experiential learning experience.
Washington University students pursue the MCM to augment their primary area of study, including students from the Sam Fox College of Architecture (Master of Architecture + Master of Construction Management [MArch/MCM] dual degree program); the McKelvey School of Engineering (Engineering BS/MCM); and the Sever Institute (MEM/MCM dual degree).
- Part-time Master's Degree: 30 units, 2.5 years+ to complete
The Master of Architecture + Master of Construction Management (MArch/MCM) dual degree program is an interdisciplinary collaboration between Washington University's College of Architecture and McKelvey Engineering's Construction Management Program. The program prepares architectural students for diverse roles within today's multidisciplinary design and construction process.
Throughout the program, students learn theories in combination with real-world applications, thus strengthening their management acumen, collaborative problem-solving, interpersonal communication, and leadership competencies. Graduates become leaders and integrators capable of facing the challenges and opportunities in today's built environment.
In this program, the School of Architecture accepts 9 credit units earned in McKelvey's MCM program toward the MArch degree. In the same way, McKelvey Engineering accepts 9 credit units earned in the College of Architecture toward the MCM degree, so long as the MCM degree is finished at the same time or immediately following the completion of the MArch degree.
More information can be found on the Master of Architecture + Master of Construction Management Dual Degree Program page of the Sever Institute website.
Program Director
Steve W. Bannes
Director of Graduate Studies, Construction Management
Professor of Practice
MS, Education, Southwest Baptist University
BS, Construction Engineering & Management, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
For a list of our program faculty, please visit our website.
Master of Construction Management
Total units required: 30
In order to earn the degree, all courses must be passed with a C- or higher. In addition, a student must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.70 over all courses applied toward the degree.
Course List
Code |
Title |
Units |
CNST 523A | Construction Cost Estimating | 3 |
CNST 572 | Legal Aspects of Construction | 3 |
CNST 573 | Fundamentals in Construction Management | 3 |
CNST 574C | Construction Project Planning and Scheduling | 3 |
CNST 579 | Advanced Construction Management | 3 |
or CNST 599 | Applied Research Study |
ETEM 587 | Communication Excellence for Influential Leadership | 3 |
CNST 580B | Digital Construction Technology | 3 |
CYBER 559 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 3 |
ETEM 510 | Understanding Emerging & Disruptive Technologies | 3 |
INFO 506 | Fundamentals of Information Technology | 3 |
INFO 575 | Enterprise Data Management | 3 |
ARCH 447A | Structures I | 3 |
ARCH 448A | Structures II | 3 |
CNST 550D | Heavy Civil Construction Management | 3 |
ETEM 531 | Introduction to Agile Project Management | 3 |
ETEM 532 | The Art & Science of Risk Management | 3 |
ETEM 581 | Leading in a Technology-Rich World | 3 |
ETEM 582 | Human Performance in the Organization | 3 |
ETEM 586 | Cross-Cultural Negotiation | 3 |
Master of Construction Management/Master of Architecture (Dual Degree Program)
Total units required: 30 (21 McKelvey School of Engineering units and 9 units of A46 Architecture courses)
In order to earn the degree, all courses must be passed with a C- or higher. In addition, a student must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.70 over all courses applied toward the degree.
Course List
Code |
Title |
Units |
CNST 523A | Construction Cost Estimating * | 3 |
CNST 573 | Fundamentals in Construction Management * | 3 |
CNST 574C | Construction Project Planning and Scheduling * | 3 |
ETEM 587 | Communication Excellence for Influential Leadership | 3 |
CNST 572 | Legal Aspects of Construction | 3 |
CNST 581A & CNST 581B | MCM - MArch Capstone Project Phase 1 and MCM - MArch Capstone Project Phase 2 | 3 |
or CNST 599 | Applied Research Study |
CNST 581B | MCM - MArch Capstone Project Phase 2 | 2 |
| 3 |
CNST 580B | Digital Construction Technology | 3 |
CYBER 559 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 3 |
ETEM 510 | Understanding Emerging & Disruptive Technologies | 3 |
INFO 506 | Fundamentals of Information Technology | 3 |
INFO 575 | Enterprise Data Management | 3 |
CNST 550D | Heavy Civil Construction Management | 3 |
ETEM 531 | Introduction to Agile Project Management | 3 |
ETEM 532 | The Art & Science of Risk Management | 3 |
ETEM 581 | Leading in a Technology-Rich World | 3 |
ETEM 582 | Human Performance in the Organization | 3 |
ETEM 586 | Cross-Cultural Negotiation | 3 |
CNST 579 | Advanced Construction Management | 3 |
| |
Visit online course listings to view semester offerings for T64 CNST.
T64 CNST 523A Construction Cost Estimating
Construction cost estimating explores the application of cost estimating principles and estimating within a project management framework in conjunction with scope definition, quality control, planning and scheduling, risk management and loss prevention techniques, local conditions, information and communication, and working relations with stakeholders. Using a single building project, the course introduces the application of basic quantity surveying and estimating principles using a methodical approach with suggested check lists and techniques for arriving at a reliable cost estimate including direct, indirect, and contingency costs and profits. Student's estimating efforts culminate with a competitive bid day scenario. Prerequisites: T64 CNST 573 or permission of instructor.
Credit 3 units.
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T64 CNST 550D Heavy Civil Construction Management
This course provides a broad perspective of the means, methods, and procedures associated with managing civil engineering and heavy construction projects. Topics include strategic bidding and estimating, heavy equipment, marine construction heavy civil operations and bridge building. Integration of scheduling, estimating, and construction contracts with a project based approach. Prerequisites: T64 CNST 573 or permission of instructor.
Credit 3 units.
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T64 CNST 572 Legal Aspects of Construction
A survey of the legal problems of the construction manager, including but not limited to liability in the areas of contracts, agency, torts, insurance, bad judgment and oversight.
Credit 3 units.
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T64 CNST 573 Fundamentals in Construction Management
In this course, students will be exposed to the overall construction process from initial concept through startup of the completed facility. The focus is to provide familiarization of the construction and contracting process and potential involvements by construction managers in the planning, design, construction, and post construction phases. Additional topics are introduced to provide a foundation which will prepare students for future construction management coursework. Case studies and industry examples are used throughout the course to authenticate the lectures and assignments.
Credit 3 units.
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T64 CNST 574C Construction Project Planning and Scheduling
Project planning and scheduling process utilizing current techniques including critical path analysis for effective and logical scheduling of construction projects. Identification of project activities and their relationships; schedule development, analysis, and updating; relationship of project costs and resources to the schedule; legal implications; effective communication of schedule information; development of procedures to monitor actual field progress; computer application in project scheduling. Prerequisites: T64 CNST 573 or permission of instructor.
Credit 3 units.
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T64 CNST 579 Advanced Construction Management
A comprehensive study of the operations encountered in the management of a construction firm. Topics include estimating, scheduling, forms of contracts, risk analysis and management, extra work orders, claims and disputes, construction safety, and contract close-out. Prerequisites: T64 CNST 573, T64 CNST 574, T64 CNST 523A, or permission of the program director.
Credit 3 units.
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T64 CNST 580B Digital Construction Technology
This course focuses on BIM's philosophy of integration between designers, construction professional, and owners, in order to overcome both technological and implementation changes using Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) and Integrated Project Delivery (IDP). VDC is a methodology that relies on a multidisciplinary collaboration of the digital simulation of design & construction. IPD, on the other hand, integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process to optimize efficiency and productivity. In this course, students will learn about BIM's application by exploring 3D, 4D aspects of BIM including geometry, spatial relationships, quantity take off, estimation and scheduling. Along with that, students also will learn about Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) system that are integral component of a successful BIM projects. Prerequisites: T64 CNST 573 or permission of instructor.
Credit 3 units.
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T64 CNST 581A MCM - MArch Capstone Project Phase 1
This capstone course allows MCM/MArch joint-degree program students to apply constructability principles to their MArch degree projects (A46 ARCH 616) and to successfully demonstrate how they have applied those principles. Constructability principles include analysis of the construction methods and procedures, project cost, time, value, quality, and safety. Phase 1 is to be taken simultaneously with A46 ARCH 616 Degree Project. Phase 1 students will develop a constructability review, analysis, and plan for their individual project. Prerequisites: admission to MCM/MArch joint-degree program, T64 CNST 573, T64 CNST 523A, and T64 CNST 574C.
Credit 1 unit.
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T64 CNST 581B MCM - MArch Capstone Project Phase 2
This capstone course allows MCM/MArch joint-degree program students to apply constructability principles to their MArch degree projects (A46 ARCH 616) and to successfully demonstrate how they have applied those principles. Constructability principles include analysis of the construction methods and procedures, project cost, time, value, quality, and safety. Phase 2 is to be taken after completing A46 ARCH 616 Degree Project. Phase 2 students will execute the constructability plan developed in Phase 1 and prepare and present the deliverables. Prerequisites: Completion or concurrent enrollment in T64 CNST 581A.
Credit 2 units.
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