3 leading US construction management programmes preparing internationals for global success

The construction industry is poised to expand in 2025 and beyond, with advancements poised to be made across healthcare, public safety, and other public infrastructure. What’s more, with the growing uptake of artificial intelligence and computing across industries, data centre construction is also likely to gain steam, according to Deloitte’s 2025 Engineering and Construction Industry Outlook.

With these developments, the intersection of management and engineering, in particular, is becoming increasingly crucial. Each discipline, while distinct, contributes in essential ways to building a better world – unsurprising, considering both technical and business skills dominate today’s job market. Today’s employers want talents who can foster collaboration, streamline processes, and encourage innovation in both domains that stand out. 

Want to be one of these sought-after professionals? Here are three universities offering advanced programmes specialising in construction management: 

Students in the Murphy Construction Programme at the University of Miami gain real-world insights from experts and practitioners in the field. Source: University of Miami

University of Miami

Nestled in the vibrant Sunshine State of Florida, the University of Miami is renowned not only for its pristine beaches and lively nightlife but also for its innovative Murphy Construction Programme. This programme offers advanced graduate degrees and certificates focused on modern construction technologies and design to meet the needs of smart city infrastructure.

With a focus on transforming the global construction industry’s approach to contemporary challenges, the programme prepares leaders and managers for complex building and infrastructure projects. You’ll learn about crucial topics like sustainability, resiliency, building information modelling, and project management. The programmes are designed to help you tackle the challenges of today’s construction world.

Being in a bustling city, the University of Miami gives you front-row seats to a booming construction scene. The local economy thrives on both commercial and residential buildings, giving you plenty of opportunities to learn through a living laboratory with no shortage of real-world experiences.

The Murphy Construction Programme offers a variety of pathways, including a Master of Science in Construction Management, a Master of Science in Executive Construction Management, and certificates in Construction Management and Sustainable Construction, each designed to meet the diverse needs of its students.

What sets the Murphy Construction Programme apart is how interdisciplinary and STEM-focused it is. Offered jointly by the College of Engineering and the School of Architecture, this programme draws from a diverse range of technological advancements emerging from cutting-edge research across several disciplines.

Another key feature of the programme is its strong ties to the industry. The Industry Advisory Board, made of leaders from top construction companies, mentors students, helps shape the programme’s goals and runs internships and projects. With most classes held in the evenings and on weekends, you can work, study, and apply what you’ve learned to your role immediately. When you’re completing your programme, you’ll join the industry with a required internship that’ll further test and refine your newly acquired skills and knowledge.

Learn more about the Murphy Construction Programme at the University of Miami.

Purdue University’s CEM programme transforms a passion for engineering and architecture into a career that shapes every aspect of a construction project through leadership, design, and oversight. Source: Purdue University/Facebook

Purdue University

Purdue University‘s Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) programme is designed for those who want to shape the future of the construction industry. The programme blends engineering, architecture, leadership, and project management, preparing students for the demands of an evolving field.

The programme was created in response to industry needs and has continued to evolve with input from industry leaders and successful alumni. It’s a unique opportunity to gain both technical expertise and management skills, essential for overseeing construction projects from start to finish. Offered through Purdue’s Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering, students can specialise in CEM at both the master’s and doctoral levels.

To apply, students must hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Once enrolled, they dive into coursework that covers specialised technical areas, including construction scheduling, virtual simulation, and the use of construction equipment. The programme has a strong emphasis on critical thinking and modern decision-making techniques, preparing students to manage both the technical and human aspects of construction projects.

With a curriculum that’s 80% construction engineering and 20% management courses, students get a well-rounded education, taught by faculty who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This fusion of education and practical knowledge helps students hit the ground running when they enter the workforce.

To round up the programme, students must complete three internships, starting between their freshman and sophomore years. Over 200 organisations, both in the US and internationally, sponsor CEM interns, providing valuable industry experience that enhances one’s education and career prospects.

The University of Texas at Arlington is home to a diverse group of students who bring fresh perspectives to campus. Source: University of Texas at Arlington

UT Arlington

The College of Engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is a thriving, vibrant place to earn a degree in construction management. As the third-largest engineering school in Texas, UTA boasts one of the most comprehensive degree programme offerings in the nation, having developed highly trained engineers for over 60 years. Graduates have gone on to excel at global stages, entering the workforce with the ability to tackle any situation that comes their way. 

The Master of Construction Management is designed to develop such talents. While catering to those with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering, applicants from different disciplines are also welcome to join. The STEM-focused programme provides interdisciplinary studies in commercial, residential, heavy/highway, and industrial applications to address a broad range of challenges facing the construction management field. 

Options are plenty, too. Opt for traditional on-campus courses, or explore courses online – these are ideal routes for engineering and construction professionals who want to earn an advanced degree while staying employed.

Whichever route you take, a highlight of an education here is the research calibre of the department. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has designated UTA an R-1: Doctoral University – Highest Research Activity institution; this category is limited to the top doctoral research universities in the US. This puts the university in an elite group of 115 institutions, including Harvard, MIT and Johns Hopkins. For those wishing to pursue specialised areas or further advanced studies, there are dozens of options for research interests alongside faculty who are international leaders in their field.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International