Mar 29, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Master of Science - Construction Management


Plan Description


The Master of Science in Construction Management (M.S.C.M.) provides graduate-level study for those seeking mid- and upper-level management positions in the construction industry or continued study for the doctorate. Students with degrees in construction management, engineering, science, architecture and business, as well as related disciplines are invited to apply. Applications for admission to the program are evaluated on an individual basis by the Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction (CEEC) Department’s construction engineering management faculty. Two tracks (thesis and project) are available in M.S.C.M. degree program. 

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements


Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

Admission to the program leading to the M.S.C.M. degree in thesis and project tracks is open to those students completing the following requirements:

  1. Applications should be submitted in the Grad Rebel Gateway system.
  2. Applicants must have an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university with preferred study in construction, engineering, architecture, business, or closely related area. The CEEC Graduate Program Committee (GPC) and Graduate Coordinator make all the final decisions after review of each applicant’s records and admissions information.
  3. Overall undergraduate GPA should be at least 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor’s degree or at least 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last 60 credits of undergraduate work.
  4. Credit (in semester hours) must have been earned in the following subjects or their equivalents:
    • MATH 181 – Calculus I
    • PHYS 151/151L – General Physics I
    • CEM 250/250L – Construction Materials & Methods
    • CEM 270 – Construction Engineering Mechanics
    • A course in construction or engineering graphics
    The leveling courses required of a student before entering the M.S.C.M. program will be determined on an individual basis. The student will be notified in writing of any deficiencies prior to admission to the program. Students with deficiencies exceeding two courses may need to satisfactorily complete them before admission to the graduate program. A minimum grade of C is required in the leveling courses. The CEEC Graduate Program Committee (GPC) and Graduate Coordinator make all the final decisions after review of each applicant’s records and admissions information.
  5. The applicant must submit Statement of Purpose (SOP) with no more than two pages describing the reasons why they wish to earn a master’s degree. In addition, two letters of recommendation (LOR) must be submitted from individuals familiar with applicant’s knowledge, skills and abilities. It is highly recommended that LOR be written on official letter head.
  6. International applicants must meet English proficiency requirements established in the UNLV Graduate Catalog.
  7. All applicants are required to take GRE General Test and submit the scores to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (code 4861). Successful applicants generally have a combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of at least 300 and analytical writing score of at least 3.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements


See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Thesis Track
Subplan 2: Project Track

Subplan 1 Requirements: Thesis Track


Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements


Required Courses – Credits: 13

Elective Courses – Credits: 2

Complete 2 credits of advisor-approved elective or specialty coursework.

Degree Requirements


  1. A Thesis Advisory Committee composed of at least four members of the UNLV graduate faculty is to be formed for the student. At least two of the committee members must be from tenured or tenure-track Construction Engineering Management (CEM) faculty and the third member from CEEC Department. The fourth faculty member, the Graduate College Representative, is recommended by advisor/advisee and appointed by the Graduate College. It is recommended that the Thesis Advisory Committee collective expertise reflects the thesis topic. The committee chair must be a CEM faculty from the area of expertise chosen for thesis topic.
  2. Students must complete at least 21 credits of graduate course, comprised of 13 required 600/700-level credits of CEM, CEE and statistics coursework, 6 credits of specialty courses, and 2 credits of advisor-approved elective or specialty coursework.
  3. Students who have credit in CEM 651 and CEM 653 or equivalent courses will select two other courses from the specialty or advisor-approved elective list.
  4. In addition to the coursework requirements, 9 credits of research work associated with the master’s level thesis (CEM 797) with the outcome being a manuscript written for a specific indexed conference or journal.
  5. At least 50% of the courses (600 and 700 level) within the total coursework must be from the College of Engineering.
  6. At least 50% of the courses within the total coursework must be 700 level.
  7. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.00. A course in which a grade of less than C was earned will not be considered for use toward the degree.
  8. All requirements for the M.S.C.M are met upon the satisfactory completion of the proposed research, the submission of a satisfactory thesis, and the successful oral defense of the thesis before the Thesis Advisory Committee.

Graduation Requirements


  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
  3. After the thesis defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for thesis defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here

Subplan 2 Requirements: Project Track


Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements


Required Courses – Credits: 10

Specialty Courses – Credits: 12

Complete four of the following courses:
Elective Courses – Credits: 5

Complete 5 credits of advisor-approved elective or specialty coursework.

Degree Requirements


  1. The student’s Advisor should be tenured or a tenure track Construction Engineering Management faculty member of the CEEC Department. An advisory committee is not required.
  2. Students must complete at least 27 credits of graduate course, comprised of 10 credits of required 600/700-level credits of CEM and statistics coursework, 12 credits of specialty coursework, 5 credits of approved elective or specialty coursework.
  3. In addition to the coursework requirement, 3 credits of master’s level project (CEM 796) with the outcome being a paper written for a specific indexed conference or journal.
  4. Students who have credit in CEM 651 and CEM 653 or equivalent courses will select two other courses from the specialty or advisor-approved elective list.
  5. At least 50% of the courses (600 and 700 level) within the total coursework must be from the College of Engineering.
  6. At least 50% of the courses within the total coursework must be 700 level.
  7. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.00. A course in which a grade of less than C was earned will not be considered for use toward the degree.

Graduation Requirements


  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must successfully complete a project and submit a project report.

Plan Graduation Requirements


Refer to your subplan for Graduation Requirements.

Subplan 1: Thesis Track 
Subplan 2: Project Track