Construction Management

Location: 231 Galloway Business Building, Phone: (409) 880-7558, Director: Dr. Steven W. McCrary

The Reese Construction Management (CM) Program reports to the dean of the College of Business. The CM program offers the Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, providing students a broad education in the management of construction projects.

The construction management degree is a candidate program for accreditation by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). ACCE is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the accrediting agency for four-year baccalaureate degree programs in construction, construction science, construction management, and construction technology.

As a profession, construction management creatively applies technical and managerial knowledge about the formation of the world's facilities, including, among others, commercial, residential, infrastructure, and industrial facilities. To meet the challenges of the construction profession, the Reese Construction Management Program provides diverse educational opportunities both in business management and in the processes of construction techniques and construction management, including safety, materials and methods, surveying, project management and control, electrical and mechanical systems, legal issues, and estimating and scheduling. The program provides vital lessons through valuable “hands-on” experiences gained both in the classroom and in the internship program. In addition, students receive a generous dose of quantitative, written, and oral communication and scientific activities designed to provide sound educational support for practical and theoretical insights.

The Reese Construction Management Program was established in 2008 through the generous support of the Jerry and Sheila Reese family. Since its inception, the goal of the program is to meet the needs of the construction industry is Southeast Texas. The program is also supported by the following endowed scholarships: The Francis & Marjorie Mouton Scholarship in Construction Management and The Ronald W. Thibodeaux Memorial Scholarship in Construction Management, both established in 2008. Other scholarships may be available as well.  Application forms are available in the program office.

 

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management - 123 hrs

Vision

We envision the Reese Construction Management Program at Lamar University preparing students to become regionally competitive experts in construction management. We further envision that the program will instill a passionate leadership for unique, high-quality education, research, and outreach opportunities that support and serve both the needs of students and those of the community, especially the construction community. In addition, we want the program to be a good place to work for its faculty and staff.

Mission

Consistent with the mission statement of Lamar University, the mission of the Reese Construction Management program is threefold: (1) provide a nationally accredited undergraduate CM program capable of producing local and regional leaders in construction; (2) plan and maintain a dedication to intellectual growth and excellence in advanced practical construction education; and (3) build a high-quality faculty/staff and promote faculty/staff development.

Program's Strategic Directions and Initiatives

Consistent with the Strategic Plan of Lamar University, the program's goals, objectives, and strategies are as follows:

Direction 1. Build educational size, facilities, reputation, and relationships.

Initiative 1.1. Develop and foster a student learning culture where students become successful professionals in the construction discipline via a state-of-the-art education.
Initiative 1.2. Build program size and facilities.
Initiative 1.3. Build program reputation.

Direction 2. Promote scholarly activities, research, and service of faculty.

Initiative 2.1. Create a research- and scholar-friendly environment for conducting outstanding construction management research that benefits students and industry.
Initiative 2.2. Develop and promote civic involvement, professional development, and career opportunities.

Direction 3. Attract, develop, and reward faculty and staff.

Initiative 3.1. Attract and recruit competent faculty/staff.
Initiative 3.2. Develop, reward, and retain faculty and staff.

The program maintains a full copy of the strategic plan, available in the program office and on the program's web site.

Program Outcomes

Students who graduate from the Reese Construction Management Program should be able to do the following: (1) Make ethical, critically informed decisions. (2) Provide effective written communication to a diversity of audiences. (3) Demonstrate various skills in team-based performance situations, such as leadership and oral communication. (4) Demonstrate an entry-level ability to determine appropriate methods and proper sequence on real construction projects. (5) Demonstrate an entry-level ability to determine and mitigate site safety hazards on real construction projects.

Academic Policies for Reese Construction Management Program

Undergraduate Entrance Requirements

The entrance requirements from high school for the construction management degree program are: English: 4 units; Mathematics: Algebra - 2 units, Geometry - 1 unit, Pre-calculus or Equivalent - 1 unit; Natural Sciences: Chemistry - 1 unit, Physics - 1 unit.

Students who meet the general entrance requirements of the university, but lack in specific requirements for the construction management curricula may enroll in the program; however, all deficiencies must be removed before the end of the second academic year. Students having entrance deficiencies or weaknesses are urged to use the summer terms preceeding the freshman year in college to remove them.

Other Academic Policies

In addition to the university's academic policies, the program enforces the following standards:

  1. Students are required to take courses in the numeric sequence generally shown in the University Catalog for the CM program and in the order approved in the CM Program of Study.
  2. GPA requirement: Students are expected to maintain a 2.0 GPA both in the overall degree plan and in major courses.
  3. Degree credit: Degree credit will be given for a grade of “D;” however, for all CMGT courses, degree credit is allowed only for courses in which a grade of "C" or better is earned.
  4. Provisional CM and Professional CM Major Status: When first admitted to the program, students are admitted with "Provisional CM" status, precluding students from taking CMGT 4000-level courses. In order to progress to "Professional CM" status in the construction management program, students must complete 51 hours of required courses in both the first and second year of the Reese Construction Management Program. GPA requirements will be enforced. Transfer students may meet this requirement using transfer courses.
  5. Prior to taking the Construction Internship, students must complete internship training offered by the Career and Testing Center.
  6. The student’s advisor must approve all electives.

Minor in Construction Management

A minor in construction management requires a minimum of 18 hours and a maximum 24 hours of CMGT courses, as listed below.
  1. Complete any six hours from the following: CMGT 1310(3), 1320(3), 2310(3);
  2. Complete CMGT 2320(3);
  3. Complete CMGT 3320(3);
  4. Complete any six hours from the following to bring the total to at least 18 hours: 4100(1), 4310(3), 4320(3), 4350(3), 4260(2).

Advising

Entering freshmen and new transfer students are considered "Provisional CM" majors. Academic advisement for "Provisional CM" majors occurs in the Advising Center. Academic advisement for "Professional CM" majors occurs in the CM Program Office.


Program's Strategic Directions and Initiatives