Sacred Heart University has launched a bachelor’s degree program in construction management, targeting an industry that continues to demand workers who can oversee increasingly complex projects.
The program, housed in the School of Computing & Engineering within the College of Arts & Sciences, combines engineering, business and field experience, the Fairfield university said.
Students will study project safety, estimating, cost control, scheduling, contracts, risk management, sustainability and digital construction technologies, according to Kevin Bowlyn, the program’s director. The degree also requires a minor in business.
“Construction management is the process of planning, coordinating, and overseeing a construction project from concept to completion,” Bowlyn said. “Construction managers are the leaders who bring together everyone involved in a project, including architects, engineers, contractors and clients.”
The university cited U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing about 46,800 openings for construction managers are projected annually nationwide. The occupation had a median annual salary of more than $106,000 as of May 2024, according to the agency.
Sacred Heart said the program’s curriculum is aligned with standards from the American Council for Construction Education. Students will have opportunities for internships with regional employers across commercial, residential and public-sector construction, the university said.
The program also offers dual-degree options that allow students to pursue graduate credentials alongside their undergraduate studies.
Sacred Heart enrolls nearly 10,000 students and offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. The university also operates a campus in Ireland and offers online programs.
