Department of Technology
Construction Management Assessment Plan

Contact Department of Technology for copy of forms:
    Internship Evaluation Form
    Portfolio Evaluation Form
 
Purpose

To provide quality education in Construction Management fulfilling the needs of the students and the industries that utilize our graduates.

Goals

Goal #1  To enhance the professional and technical knowledge, and skills of construction personnel necessary for entering and continuing in construction careers.

Goal #2  To continue the effort to improve the quality of the construction science and related activities.

Goal #3  To enhance efficient construction processes and products through improved management skills.

Goal #4  To encourage construction research and creative endeavors, writing, and consulting for the construction sciences.

Student Outcomes

The program of study is designed to prepare a professional constructor who possesses skills and knowledge acquired through education and on-site experience necessary to manage construction processes including bid preparation, project acquisition, project management, safety, and supervision of the construction process.

OUTCOME #1  Communication Skills

The student will be able to apply oral, written, graphic, and listening skills as each is a critical component of effective communication.

OUTCOME #2  Technical Skills

The student will be able to implement the various forms of technology inclusive in the management of the construction process, utilizing current equipment, computers, and electronic data processing through use of word processing, databases, and spreadsheets applications, as well as the information highway.

OUTCOME #3  Scientific Skills

The student will be able to apply scientific knowledge of the mathematical, physical, and construction sciences to the economic utilization of materials and forces of nature affecting construction practice.

OUTCOME #4  Management/Marketing Concepts and Skills

The student will be able to apply the principles and philosophy of management systems, cost accounting, and economics to the construction industry, including the interpretation of contracts, the values of team building, and the Construction Code of Conduct established by the industry through the assistance of the American Institute of Constructors. The student graduating from the program will be considered a construction service provider and marketer of construction skills and knowledge.

OUTCOME #5  Construction Materials and Methods

The student will be able to understand the science of materials and methods of construction as they apply to the 16 Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) Divisions designated for the construction industry.

OUTCOME #6  Estimating and Cost Control

The student will be able to complete the estimating, cost accounting, and bidding sequence necessary for construction job acquisition and completion.

OUTCOME #7  interpretation of Construction Plans

The student will be able to perform quantity take-off, interpret construction specifications, identity appropriate codes, identify site conditions, apply value engineering, and develop detailed project proposals.

OUTCOME #8  Construction Budgeting

The student will be able to prepare complete cost control processes including the ability to establish a budget, prepare cost reports, and forecast expenditures.

OUTCOME #9  Schedule and Control Techniques

The student will be able to prepare a complete construction project schedule, develop a procurement time table, and establish a project manual and plan showing the logical sequence of activities and time duration in order to monitor progress and update schedules.

OUTCOME #10  Construction Safety

The student will be able to execute construction safety standards including the ability to interpret the OSHA construction standards, establish safety and health procedures on the job site, and perform hazard material and process analysis.

OUTCOME #11  Construction Surveying and Project Layout

The student will be able to apply the established procedures for identifying distance and elevations from known points and layout the project in accordance with plot plans, site information, and local building criteria.

OUTCOME #12  Project Administration

The student will be able to identify the appropriate construction management principles necessary to complete the site plans, evaluating vendors and subcontractors, writing field purchase orders, change orders, subcontract agreements, shop drawings, as built drawings, daily logs/job dairies, construction reports, and progress payment requests.
 

Levels of assessment and implementation

1.Pre-Major Declaration Assessment
    A. First-year review (Candidate Interview)
        [Conducted by the Construction Management program advisor; Student goals and expectations are reviewed, and the total remaining program schedule is outlined and recorded for future references.]
    B. Student Entrance Survey
        [Completed by students during first semester program declaration to provide faculty with a demographic background for future employment and student recognition.]

2. Post-Major Declaration Assessment
    A. Course Scores
         [Student must maintain a GPA of 2.0 (C)] Bi-annual.
    B. Semester Advising
         [Conducted by program advisor to update remaining program schedule, determine expectation for internship or work experience possibilities, preparation of resume, and cover letter]
    C. Graduation Application exit Survey and Employment Prospects)
         [Conducted by student advisor to give the student an opportunity to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the program, and to discuss professional career possibilities and future education needs.
    D. Student Professional Portfolio (Tech 496-CM Capstone Project)
         [The portfolio is a notebook displaying individual skills and knowledge of construction processes, along with a philosophy of construction management.
    E. Professional Certification Test (Certified Professional Constructor, Level I, MC)
         [Student will sit for the 8 hour certification test offered by the American Institute of Constructors; successful candidates will be granted Level I certification by the AIC. The CPC results are able to compare the performance of Moorhead
           State University students against the national average in 6 of the 12 Construction Management student outcomes.]
    F. Internship Evaluation
         [Internship supervisor will evaluate applicable student outcomes at the end of their internship period.]

3. Post Graduation Assessment
    A. Graduate Placement
         [Construction Management faculty develop an annual resume booklet for student exposure to potential employers. Placement statistics are summarized in the Department Annual Report.]
    B. Alumni Follow-Up
         [The Construction Management program conducts an annual alumni survey for graduate of the past three years to determine the success of the graduates and the needed changes in the curriculum.]
    C. Employer Follow-Up
         (An annual employer survey accompanies the alumni survey mailings.]

Who is responsible for the assessment activities?

The ultimate responsibility for the assessment of the Construction Management program rests with the faculty and staff of the Department of Technology. However, the faculty is subservient to the input from the construction industry and their needs. The Industry Advisory Board is consulted on a regular basis. The students' expectations of the program, employers, graduates, and accreditation bodies are each contributing factors for the final determination of curriculum characteristics and program description.

THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT COURSE SYLLABI AND THEIR USE

Each course offered by the Construction Management (CM) unit is designed for the student to preview anticipated course content for each specific course. The syllabi provide general information regarding course organization, outcome expectations, assignments, assessment, applicable University and Departmental policies, and schedules of milestone events. The student will refer to the syllabi for many questions of the course. (Note:  Contact Technology Department for a copy of a typical syllabus.)

Student Professional Career Portfolio

The beginning student will begin the preparation of a portfolio of their CM activities in the various courses. The portfolio is regarded as documented evidence of construction management knowledge and skills and may be used in the career seeking process. Below is a suggested item outline for the portfolio:

 1. Table of Contents
     A. Resume
     B. Philosophy of Construction Management
     C. Program Outcomes
 2 Project Management (Project Manual)
     A. Mission of Company
     B. Business Organization Structure
     C. Personnel Management Policies
     D. Estimating and Cost Accounting, etc.
     E. Scheduling Activities
     F. Loss Control
            1. Safety
            2. Legislation (OSHA, EPA, DNR, etc.)
            3. Risk factors and Control
    G. Legal Aspects
    H. Documentation
    I. Organizational Communications
            1. Intra and Inter Organization Systems
 3. Professional Organizations
 4. Self-Assessment
 5. Services
 6. Scholarships (Letters of Commendations, Honors, Awards, etc.)

RESUME BOOKLET

During the tenure as student status at Moorhead State University, the CM student will maintain a career resume. Stating as a first-year student, resumes are developed and revised through the duration of enrollment by semester. The ultimate perfect resume is published in a booklet or other media for distribution to potential employers throughout the region and nation. The student will find this circulation and exposure a valuable instrument for job selection.

A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System
an equal opportunity educator and employer | Accessibility Questions? | Contact assess@mnstate.edu | Updated 1/11/06
MSU Moorhead | 1104 7th Ave South | Moorhead, MN 56563 | 1.800.593.7246
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