BS in Construction Engineering Management

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Oregon State University

Program Overview

 The BS in Construction Engineering Management at Oregon State University combines science, engineering, technology, and business to prepare students to plan, coordinate, and supervise construction projects efficiently, safely, on schedule, and within budget. It suits students who want to combine technical construction knowledge with leadership and management skills while studying areas such as construction methods, estimating, scheduling, structures, surveying, project management, safety, contracts, and business.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students build their mathematics, science, engineering, and business foundation through courses such as MTH 251Z – Differential Calculus, ENGR 102 – Design Engineering and Problem Solving, and CH 201/CH 204 – General Chemistry for Engineering Applications and Laboratory I. They also develop an understanding of economics through ECON 201Z – Principles of Microeconomics and ECON 202Z – Principles of Macroeconomics, alongside engineering computation and communication skills.

Second Year: The curriculum begins connecting engineering fundamentals with construction practice through CCE 201 – Civil and Construction Engineering Graphics and Design, CCE 203 – Introduction to Virtual Design and Construction, and CEM 263 – Plane Surveying. Students also study ENGR 211 – Statics, ENGR 213 – Strength of Materials, BA 315 – Accounting for Decision Making, and BA 226Z – Introduction to Business Law, giving them technical and commercial foundations for construction projects.

Third Year: Students move into advanced construction operations and management through CEM 341 – Construction Estimating I, CEM 441 – Heavy Civil Construction Management, and CEM 442 – Building Construction Management. Courses including CEM 381 – Structures I, CEM 372 – Geotechnics for Construction, CE 424 – Contracts and Specifications, and CEM 471 – Electrical Facilities expand their understanding of construction systems, contracts, materials, structures, and building services.

Fourth Year: The final year focuses strongly on professional construction management, with CEM 343 – Construction Planning and Scheduling, CEM 443 – Project Management for Construction, and CEM 326 – Construction Safety developing skills needed to manage complex projects. Students also complete CEM 342 – Construction Estimating II, CEM 383 – Structures II, and either CEM 431 – Obtaining Construction Contracts or CEM 432 – Construction Project Planning, while completing upper-division business and engineering requirements.

Focus areas: Construction management, heavy civil construction, building construction, construction estimating, project planning and scheduling, structures, surveying, geotechnics, construction safety, contracts and specifications, construction technology, and building systems.

Learning outcomes: Written and oral communication, construction safety planning, cost estimating, project scheduling, ethical decision-making, analysis of construction methods/materials/equipment, electronic technology for construction management, surveying, project delivery methods, accounting and cost control, quality assurance and control, project controls, construction law, sustainable construction, structural behavior, and HVAC/electrical/plumbing systems.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The BS in Construction Engineering Management is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE); Oregon State states that the program was first accredited in 1980 and most recently re-accredited in 2021, with the 2021 accreditation extended for the maximum six-year period allowed by ACCE.

Reputation (employability rankings): Oregon State University is ranked #711–720 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. The university also highlights strong industry connections for Construction Engineering Management, including partnerships with industry and government and opportunities connected to the construction sector. 

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Construction Engineering Management at Oregon State University combines engineering, construction technology, business, and management with practical applications throughout the four-year curriculum. Students gain experience in areas such as surveying, estimating, construction safety, project management, and emerging construction technologies, supported by specialized facilities, field equipment, industry connections, and hands-on learning opportunities.

Students can develop industry-ready skills through:

  • Field surveying and GPS: CEM 263 – Plane Surveying provides hands-on use of field surveying equipment, plane-surveying methods, topographic mapping, coordinate computations, and an introduction to GPS.
  • Construction estimating: CEM 341 – Construction Estimating I covers plan reading, specification interpretation, quantity take-offs, construction estimating, subcontract estimating, overheads, profit, and computer-aided estimating.
  • Microsoft Project and scheduling: OSU’s CEM coursework provides practical exposure to Microsoft Project; an OSU CEM student profile specifically describes project-management coursework using Microsoft Project to build scheduling skills and experience creating group project proposals.
  • Construction technology and software: OSU’s engineering teaching areas include Excel, VBA, MATLAB, Autodesk/AutoCAD, Revit, Land Development Desktop, and Civil 3D, providing students with exposure to digital tools used across engineering and construction applications.
  • Construction safety: CEM 326 – Construction Safety develops practical understanding of hazard identification, avoidance, control, and prevention in construction environments.
  • Specialized research laboratories: The School of Civil and Construction Engineering provides access to facilities including the Geomatics Laboratories, Infrastructure Materials Labs, Structures Lab, Concrete Performance Lab, Geotechnical Field Research Site, and Gene D. Knudson Wood Engineering Lab.
  • Geomatics equipment: OSU maintains dedicated geomatics equipment supporting surveying and spatial-data applications, complementing the field-based surveying component of the CEM curriculum.
  • Industry and internships: OSU maintains industry connections and career opportunities for engineering students, while current OSU career listings include CEM-related construction management and field engineer internships involving active construction projects, job-site coordination, scheduling, quality control, safety, budgets, contracts, and change orders.
  • Industry-sponsored and interdisciplinary research: The School’s facilities support student and faculty research, industry-sponsored research, and interdisciplinary projects, giving CEM students opportunities to engage with applied construction and engineering research.
  • Emerging construction technologies: OSU faculty research includes sustainable building practices, innovative materials, energy efficiency, structural health monitoring, risk management, and worker safety, while CEM coursework addresses emerging technologies and processes used in the construction field. 

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Construction Engineering Management at Oregon State University prepares graduates for careers that combine engineering principles, construction technology, project coordination, cost management, and leadership across the built environment. Graduates can pursue roles such as construction project engineer, construction manager, estimator, and project manager, with opportunities in commercial, industrial, infrastructure, and residential construction.

Career development and employment opportunities:

  • Career support: Oregon State’s College of Engineering Career Services provides engineering students with career advising, resume and cover-letter support, interview preparation, career fairs, employer networking, and assistance with internships and full-time employment.
  • Internships and industry exposure: The program emphasizes practical construction experience and professional development, allowing students to build industry experience before graduation through internships and employer connections.
  • Employment opportunities: Oregon State’s Career Development Center connects students with employers through career fairs, networking events, job and internship postings, and career-development resources.
  • Salary information: Oregon State’s official program materials do not publish a specific graduate salary figure for the BS in Construction Engineering Management; therefore, a program-specific salary figure is not stated.
  • Graduation outcomes: Oregon State publishes university-level career and graduate-outcome information through its Career Development Center, while a specific employment rate for graduates of this program is not stated on the official program page.
  • Industry connections: The School of Civil and Construction Engineering maintains connections with construction and engineering professionals through industry engagement, internships, professional activities, and its advisory and employer relationships, giving students opportunities to connect classroom learning with current industry practice.
  • Professional value: The curriculum provides preparation relevant to professional construction management practice, including engineering fundamentals, construction methods, project management, estimating, scheduling, safety, and leadership. Specific long-term licensure or certification outcomes should be considered separately because construction-management requirements vary by role and jurisdiction.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into graduate study in construction engineering and management, civil engineering, engineering management, or related built-environment fields at Oregon State University or another institution. Depending on their career goals, further study can support specialization in areas such as construction management, infrastructure, structural engineering, transportation, sustainability, project management, or engineering leadership.

Program Key Stats

$15790
$41110
$41110
$65
EA, RD
Rolling


78%
No
Yes

Eligibility Criteria

BBC - BBB
3 - 3.3
30 - 36
70 - 80

1350 - 1400
33 - 36
6.5
90
Optional
Yes

Additional Information & Requirements

How US Universities Assess Applicants

Career Options

  • Construction Engineer
  • Construction Project Manager
  • Site Engineer
  • Project Engineer
  • Estimator
  • Construction Scheduler
  • Cost Engineer
  • Building Inspector
  • Construction Safety Engineer
  • Construction Consultant

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