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
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.
Contact Info
| Email: | sever@wustl.edu |
| Website: | https://sever.wustl.edu/degree-programs/construction/index.html |
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.
CNST 5532 Specialized Topics in Construction Estimating
This course 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.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring
CNST 5550 Site Infrastructure Construction Strategies
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. There will be a $60 fee for use of the required licensed software used in this class.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
CNST 5572 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.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
CNST 5573 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.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
CNST 5574 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.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
CNST 5579 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.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
CNST 5580 Digital Construction Technology: Principles and Practices
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.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring
CNST 5981 MCM - M.Arch Capstone Project Phase 1
In the capstone course sequence (CNST 5981 and CNST 5982), M.Arch + MCM dual degree program students apply constructability principles to their ARCH 7520: Degree Project and successfully demonstrate their application. Constructability principles include analysis of construction methods and procedures, as well as project cost, time, value, quality, and safety. Phase 1 students will develop a Constructability Review, Analysis, and Plan (CAAP) for their project. The CAAP is a plan to focus and guide the work in CNST 5982 – Phase 2. It includes: · Identification of the specific constructability issue(s) you will evaluate (assess/analyze). · Methodology to be used in gathering information and conducting the analysis · Identification of the Phase 2 deliverables After completing CNST 5981, students will enroll and complete CNST 5982.
Credit 1 unit.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
CNST 5982 MCM - M.Arch Capstone Project Phase 2
In the capstone course sequence (CNST 5981 and CNST 5982), M.Arch + MCM dual degree program students apply constructability principles to their ARCH 7520: Degree Project and successfully demonstrate their application. Constructability principles include analysis of construction methods and procedures, as well as project cost, time, value, quality, and safety. Students will enroll and complete CNST 5982 – Phase 2 in the semester following ARCH 7520: Degree Project and completion of CNST 5981. CNST 5982 – Phase 2 students will execute the Constructability Review, Analysis, and Plan (CAAP) developed in CNST 5981 – Phase 1. This work will be incorporated into the final report, the Constructability Review and Analysis (CRA) Report. It will include: · The Constructability Review and Analysis, and · Results/Conclusions – Lessons learned
Credit 2 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
CNST 5998 Applied Research Study
Applied Research Study (ARS) is an advanced, project-based course designed to allow students to develop in-depth knowledge and further their education building on the education offered in the Programs. Applied research is a type of examination looking to find practical solutions for existing problems. These can include challenges in the workplace, education, and society. Students collaborate with an adjunct faculty advisor to collect data. Findings are applicable and may be implemented upon completion of a study. Applied research focuses on answering one specific applied research question for a client or sponsor. Applied Research Study must have prior approval of a faculty sponsor and the Program Director.
Credit 3 units.
Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring, Summer