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Degree Requirements

Time Limit

Students must be enrolled in and complete all course work to be credited toward any master's degree within six calendar years of the date on which the degree is to be awarded. 

Application Deadlines

June 1 for fall semester

November 1 for spring semester. 

Requirements for Degree Candidacy

1. The MCSM degree requires a minimum of 36 semester hours. This includes a minimum of 15 semester hours from the department core (CSM 860, 861, 862, 863, 864, 865, and/or 891) in addition to CSM 852 and CSM 889.
2. Each student is required to have one year of verifiable construction experience before admission to the program. The experience may be no older than six years from date of enrollment in the CSM graduate program.
3. When a candidate does not have the necessary prerequisite skills and knowledge, additional course work will be required in one or more of the following areas: 


• Materials and Methods: Descriptive study of the materials and methods of construction focusing on nomenclature, building materials and assembly of building systems consisting of wood, masonry, foundations, interior and exterior finishes, steel, concrete and roof assemblies.
• Contract Documents: Working drawings, specifications and the various contracts required to carry out a construction project.

• Estimating: Quantity take-off of materials, assigning labor and equipment production rates, pricing and wage rates.

• Scheduling: Planning and scheduling concepts as they relate to a construction project such as the critical path method, resource loading and cost analysis.

• Project Management: Study of construction business organizations, methods of project delivery, field organization, policy, ethics, project management, labor relations and productivity.
  

An electronic application is available from the Graduate School Web site. 

Requirements for Awarding of a Degree

Thesis Option 


• A minimum of 36 semester hours of approved course work with a B average in the student's prescribed curriculum, including a thesis, is required.

• A thesis on an approved construction-related topic must be completed satisfactorily. Up to nine semester hours of thesis credit (CSM 891) may be taken, which is also part of the department's core.
• Satisfactory performance on a final oral examination relating to the student's thesis and program of study is required.

Nonthesis Option 


• A minimum of 36 semester hours of approved course work with a B average in the student's prescribed curriculum is required.

• Satisfactory performance on a written comprehensive examination covering the student's program of study is required.

• Satisfactory performance on a final oral examination relating to the student's program of study is required in cases in which the student does not pass the comprehensive written exam.