M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Nebraska Lincoln

Program Overview

The M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is designed for construction professionals seeking advanced expertise through an interdisciplinary blend of construction management, engineering, business, architecture, law, and applied research. It suits students and working professionals who want to strengthen their ability to manage complex construction activities while developing specialized knowledge through either a thesis-based or coursework-based pathway.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: The program requires 30 credit hours, with the exact coursework determined with an advisor according to the student's interests and chosen pathway. Students can build expertise through areas such as CNST 811 Project Administration, CNST 885 Construction Project Scheduling and Control, and CNST 886 Construction Management Systems, while the thesis option combines advanced coursework with 6–10 credit hours of thesis work.

Students following the coursework-based Option B can create a self-determined combination of advanced study and research spanning construction management, engineering, business, architecture, and law. Relevant subjects include CNST/CONE 850 Sustainable Construction, CNST 858 Construction Information Management Systems, CNST 860 Construction Visualization and Simulation, and CONE 859 BIM I: Introduction to Building Information Modeling, allowing students to tailor their studies to professional goals.

Focus Areas

Construction management and economics, construction analytics, infrastructure development and sustainability/resilience, project finance, project delivery systems, Building Information Modeling (BIM), estimating, construction visualization and simulation, construction safety, scheduling and control, robotics, augmented reality, structural health monitoring, and unmanned aerial systems for construction and infrastructure.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop advanced capabilities in construction management, engineering, project administration, scheduling, construction information systems, BIM, estimating, sustainable construction, project delivery, applied research, and decision-making for complex construction activities.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln's official accreditation information lists ABET accreditation for the undergraduate Construction Engineering and Construction Management programs, but does not state separate ABET accreditation for the M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management. The university also specifically notes that the M.S. CEMT does not qualify an individual for P.E. licensure in Nebraska.

Reputation (Employability)

UNL College of Engineering reports that 88% of its graduates secured employment or continued education within six months of graduation; its reported 2024–25 undergraduate major data lists mean annual salaries of $72,600 for Construction Engineering and $74,225 for Construction Management. These figures are College of Engineering outcomes rather than outcomes specifically for the M.S. CEMT.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln gain practical experience through advanced coursework, applied research, and construction-focused technology. The program allows students to combine coursework and research across construction management, engineering, business, architecture, law, and related disciplines, while the Durham School provides specialized spaces for Building Information Modeling, estimating, scheduling, visualization, collaboration, materials testing, and construction research. Students can also work with faculty on applied research involving construction analytics, BIM, augmented reality, robotics, unmanned aerial systems, machine vision, and infrastructure development.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

BIM, estimating and scheduling: The Jim D. and Faye D. Rasmussen Educational Laboratory provides powerful workstations with software for estimating, scheduling, and Building Information Modeling, together with large-screen workstations designed for group and collaborative work.
Construction software: The Kiewit Infrastructure Group Classroom contains laptops equipped with construction-related software, giving students hands-on exposure to tools used in the construction industry.
Modeling, simulation and visualization: The Kiewit Modeling, Simulation & Visualization Laboratory has 15 specialized workstations and a 15-panel visualization wall for detailed computer models, comparison of student work, teaching, and research.
Collaborative projects: Dedicated collaboration workstations and group spaces support team-based learning, while graduate students can work with advisors on self-determined combinations of coursework and applied research.
Construction research: Faculty research includes construction analytics, project finance, sustainability and resilience, BIM and estimating, augmented reality, robotics, machine vision, structural health monitoring, and unmanned aerial systems for construction and infrastructure.
Hands-on materials testing: The CASE Lab provides more than 5,000 square feet of testing space, hydraulic testing equipment with capacity up to 400,000 pounds, multiple load frames, data-acquisition systems, and temperature-controlled chambers for research and product testing.
Concrete and asphalt research: The Portland Cement and Bituminous Material Lab is a teaching and research facility for evaluating concrete and asphalt behavior under different environmental conditions.
Structural and geotechnical testing: Students have access to the Structural Testing Lab for sample testing and the Geotechnical Lab for evaluating soil behavior in relation to construction designs.
Real-world construction projects: Through the Watson Lab, students have participated in projects such as Sheds for Hope, applying construction-system knowledge from foundations through roofing while working with Lincoln Habitat and community organizations.
Industry engagement: The Durham School connects students with construction professionals through industry activities, while the College of Engineering's Industry in Residence program brings employers into the engineering buildings to engage with students in construction engineering and construction management.
Kiewit Hall: The program is housed within the College of Engineering environment that includes Kiewit Hall, featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, teaching laboratories, design/build spaces, and facilities dedicated to construction education.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln can build careers across construction management, project management, construction engineering, and related AEC roles. The program is specifically designed for professionals already working in construction, while its combination of construction management, engineering, business, architecture, law, and applied research supports progression into broader technical and managerial responsibilities.

Typical career opportunities include:

Construction Manager
Project Manager / Project Controls Manager
Construction Engineer
Construction Consultant / Project Management Consultant

Career development and industry connections:

Engineering Career Services: Graduate students receive access to one-to-one career advising, résumé/CV reviews, job and internship search strategies, interview preparation, salary negotiation, LinkedIn optimization, Handshake, and STEM-focused career fairs.
Industry engagement: UNL's Industry in Residence program brings employers into the College of Engineering so students can interact directly with companies, learn about positions, discuss internships and job-shadowing opportunities, and build professional relationships. Current 2026 participants include Sampson Construction, Whiting-Turner, MCL Construction, Olsson, NUCOR, and Valmont Industries.
Durham School Career Fair: The Durham School hosts a dedicated career fair for architectural engineering and construction students, with employers participating in the career fair, internship presentations, networking, and interviews.
Industry partnerships: The Durham School's Construction Industry Advisory Council includes senior professionals from Kiewit, McCarthy Building Companies, Hensel Phelps, JE Dunn Construction, HDR, Ryan Companies, Swinerton, Hawkins Construction, Hausmann Construction, Turner Construction, and AGC Nebraska, providing a strong connection between the school's construction programs and industry.
Employment outcomes: Across the UNL College of Engineering, 88% of graduates secured employment or continued education within six months, with 71% accepting employment and 16% continuing their education. The reported average full-time starting salary was $75,780, based on 232 reported salaries; these figures are College of Engineering-wide rather than specific to this M.S. program.
Construction-related salary data: UNL reports a $74,225 mean annual salary for Construction Management and $72,600 for Construction Engineering among its 2024–2025 undergraduate graduates; these figures should be treated as related-field benchmarks rather than M.S. CEMT-specific salary outcomes.
Professional accreditation value: UNL's Durham School maintains ABET accreditation for its Construction Engineering and Construction Management bachelor's programs. The M.S. CEMT itself is not listed by UNL as an independently ABET-accredited master's program, so the accreditation should not be represented as accreditation of this specific M.S. degree.
Long-term professional development: The program's graduate-level study can support advancement in the construction industry, while students interested in research or academia can continue into UNL's Ph.D. in Engineering with a Construction specialization.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management, students interested in advanced research can progress to UNL's Ph.D. in Engineering – Construction Specialization, which combines advanced construction studies with research across construction management, engineering, business, architecture, law, and related disciplines. UNL's graduate handbook states that up to 30 hours from an acceptable master's degree may be transferred into the Ph.D., subject to evaluation and recommendation by the CEMT Graduate Committee.