PhD in Construction Management

There are nearly five million people employed in construction, making it one of the largest industries in the United States.

If you want to stand out as one of the leaders in the industry, then a PhD in construction management might be for you.

A PhD in construction management is the highest degree attainable for someone who wants to work in a supervisory role at construction sites.

While completing a PhD in construction management requires some core classes, most of the study time will be devoted to completing a dissertation in a subject of your choosing, such as construction safety, construction design, construction contracts, and project scheduling.

A PhD in construction management also gives you the required background necessary to teach at the university level. Along with becoming a teacher or a construction supervisor, someone with a PhD in construction management can become a cost estimator or a building site inspector.

The outlook for construction managers is positive, with a 16 percent growth expected between 2006 and 2016 because of the need for people who understand legal regulations and safety requirements involved with building.

Having that high of a skill level pays off: In 2008, the median salary for a construction manager was nearly $80,000.