About Us

Construction Management Program Accreditation

The American Council of Construction Education (ACCE) is granted the authority to accredit Construction Management programs by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is part of the Department of Education.  The MSUM CM program was the first Construction Management program accredited by ACCE in the state of Minnesota.  ACCE is a leading national advocate of quality construction education and establishes standards and criteria for excellence and acts as the accrediting agency for four-year baccalaureate degree programs in construction management.  The Construction Management program at MSU Moorhead has been accredited since 1999.

Construction Management Mission Statement

The mission of the Construction management program is three fold.

• To maintain a nationally accredited construction management program, which will produce graduates who will have the technical, managerial and general knowledge necessary to enter and advance professionally in the construction industry.
• Provide an environment, which encourages students and faculty to engage in professional development, critical thinking, and creative endeavors.
• Promote continuous improvement of teaching, learning and program curriculum.

Program Goals

Goal # 1  Provide a quality Construction Management program. 

Objective 1.1 Implement a Continuous Improvement Plan to enhance the quality of CM program.

Objective 1.2 Secure third party recognition of program excellence.

Objective 1.3 Ensure graduate knowledge is meeting the needs and requirements of industry

Goal # 2  Increase the number of Construction Management majors to 200 students by 2014 

Objective 2.1 Develop and maintain transfer of at least 30 students per year from Technical / Community Colleges

Goal # 3  Enhance Student Learning Opportunities and Faculty Teaching Effectiveness. 

Objective 3.1 Develop and maintain processes where student learning is proactive.

Objective 3.2 Attend conventions, conferences, and training opportunities that will enhance quality of CM program.

Objective 3.3 Bring industry into the classroom

Goal # 4  Develop CM Budget annually to establish Fund Raising Goals 

Objective 4.1 Prepare CM Budget and present to Advisory Board at each fall meeting.

Objective 4.2 Increase industry financial and in-kind support of the MSU Moorhead CM program to match proposed budget for equipment purchases, student support (non-scholarship), and faculty development.

Objective 4.3 Provide leadership to increase contact with CM Alumni through a series of planned contact and events.

Student Learning 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.

1. Communication skills
   The student can apply oral, written, graphic and, listening skills to enhance the communication process. 


2. Design/Engineering Concepts and Associated Math
   The student will apply scientific knowledge to applications of applied mechanics, engineering design fundamentals, and associated mathematics to the construction practices and processes. 


3. Management Concepts & Philosophies
   The student can apply the principles and philosophy of general and human resource management systems, accounting, economics and ethics to the construction industry. (Including team building, leadership concepts/skills, and the Construction Code of Conduct). 


4. Construction Materials and Methods
   The student can demonstrate knowledge of the science of materials and methods of construction as they apply to the  Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) Divisions designated for the construction industry. 


5. Estimating, Plan Reading and Bid Process
   The student can demonstrate estimating skills including interpreting plans, construction documents, performing quantity take-offs, analyzing productivity and pricing, identifying appropriate codes, identifying site conditions, applying value engineering, and developing detailed project proposals and documentation necessary for construction job acquisition and completion. 


6. Budgeting/Cost Accounting, Cost Control & Close-out
   The student can prepare complete cost control processes including the ability to establish a budget, develop a work breakdown structure, prepare cost reports, and forecast expenditures at completion of the project. 


7. Scheduling & Project Control
   The student can prepare a complete construction project schedule showing the logical sequence of activities and time duration, develop a procurement time table, and establish a project plan in order to monitor progress and update the schedules 


8. Safety
   The student can identify and execute construction safety standards including the ability to interpret the OSHA construction standards, establish safety and health procedures on the job site, perform hazard material and process analysis and enforce safety procedures. 


9. Construction Surveying and Layout
   The student will be able to establish procedures for identifying distance and elevations from know points and layout the project in accordance with the design drawings, and site information. 


10. Project Administration
    The student will demonstrate knowledge of overall field administration at the construction site including developing a site plan, evaluating vendors and subcontractors, processing payment applications, maintaining field records such as purchase orders, change orders subcontract agreements, shop drawings, as-built drawings, daily job reports, and construction reports.