PROGRAMS

The University of Washington offers three graduate programs related to construction engineering and management: An M.S. Program in Construction Management, an M.S. Distance Learning Program in Construction Engineering with emphasis on Heavy Construction, and a Ph.D. Program in the Built Environment.  A description of each program follows.

Master Program in Construction Management:

The Master of Science in Construction Management Program makes high-quality graduate education accessible to full-time, part-time, and international students.  The curriculum was developed with industry input to provide graduates with the skills desired by the construction industry.  This curriculum has been structured to build upon the educational foundation gained in an undergraduate degree in construction management, civil engineering, architecture, business, or similar areas.  Students with educational backgrounds different from construction management may need to take prerequisite courses. 

The program consists of required core courses, related electives, and a thesis or a professional project.  In order to obtain the degree, 45 quarter credits (the equivalent of 30 semester credits) including an acceptable thesis (9 quarter credits) or professional project (6 quarter credits) are required for graduation.  Full-time students should be able to complete the program in 12 months.  Part-time students who take at least two courses per quarter, including the summer quarters; select a thesis or project topic within their first year of study; and complete the thesis or professional project during the second year of study should complete all requirements for graduation in 24 months.  Most graduate courses are offered during the evening to accommodate people who work during the day. For more information, browse this web site or participate in an information meeting.

Distance Learning Master Program in Construction Engineering:

The University of Washington Graduate Program in Construction Engineering offers the only online master's degree in the country focused on the heavy construction industry.  Developed by the highly ranked UW Departments of Construction Management and Civil & Environmental Engineering, the program combines the engineering principles and management techniques necessary to lead major infrastructure efforts such as the construction of roads, bridges and ports.

This program is a practical, affordable and flexible solution if you are currently employed in the industry and wish to enhance your skills and advance your career. The online format allows you to maintain a full-time work schedule and earn your master's degree at a pace and a place that are convenient for you. Applications are accepted four times a year, so you can start at any time. For more information, please visit the Graduate Program in Construction Engineering web site.

Ph.D. Program in the Built Environment:

The Ph.D. Program provides students with a common core of substantial knowledge concerning the integrated facets of the built environment and then offers areas of specialization in discrete fields of built environment knowledge and practice, including two of high relevance to construction students:

Sustainable Systems and Prototypes: Focusing on relationships among designed systems, their components, and urban & regional sustainability at the following scales: building elements & assemblages, buildings, site & neighborhood, city, region.

Computational Design and Research: Focusing on the design of computing tools for planning & design and other built-environment fields, the human-computer interface (HCI) within design-planning-construction, the design of computer-enhanced virtual environments, processes and practices of environmental computation.

For more information, please visit the Ph.D. Program in the Built Environment web site.