Undergraduate Education
History
The Bachelor of Science in Construction degree has been offered at ASU since 1957. The program, developed from architectural, business, construction, and engineering curricula, was initially in the School of Architecture. In 1969 it was moved to the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, resulting in a broader program that was strongly based on engineering fundamentals. In 1992, a $4 million endowment from the Del E. Webb Foundation enabled the College to create the Del E. Webb School of Construction as a separate school within the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering. The Del E. Webb School of Construction is currently developing, in conjunction with its Construction Industry Advisory Council and with the approval of the ASU President Michael Crow, a five year strategic plan that will transform the School into the first fully autonomous entity within ASU. A strategic plan is in development that will make the School the premier construction management program in the world.
Mission
The Del E. Webb School of Construction is one of 52 accredited construction programs through the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) and one of two named Schools of Construction in the country. The mission of the Del E. Webb School of Construction is to become an international center for construction education, research, and technology transfer, to study innovative technologies for implementation in the construction industry, and to promote international relationships. The School actively seeks industry participation in fulfilling this mission.
Bachelor of Science in Construction
The faculty of the Del E. Webb School of Construction offers the BS degree in Construction. Five concentrations are available: general building construction
(commercial), concrete industry management, heavy construction, residential construction, and specialty construction.
Each concentration is designed to develop technical, management, and leadership skills. Required are a combination of General Studies courses, technical courses
basic to engineering and construction, and courses on a broad range of applied management subjects fundamental to the business of construction.
Construction careers are so broadly diversified that no single curriculum prepares the student for universal entry into all fields. As an example, heavy construction
contractors usually place more emphasis on technical and engineering science skills than do residential contractors/developers, who usually prefer a greater depth of
knowledge in the business management of construction. To ensure a balanced understanding of the technical, professional, and philosophical standards that distinguish
modern-day constructors, advisory groups representing leading contractors and builders provide counsel in curriculum development.
Program Description
Through the BS in Construction degree program, students learn to organize, lead, and manage the building process. Builders are one of the three most vital individuals
on a job site, equal in status and importance to the architect and engineer. Students learn the basics of design, how to estimate and control the costs of a project,
the many construction methods used, what it takes to manage the people involved, and the various types of contracts. Students are prepared with the computer, management,
technical and people skills needed to succeed.
Currently, the undergraduate degree offers five concentration areas:
Concrete Industry Management (CIM)
The concrete industry is in urgent need of professionals with the skills required to manage people and systems and/or to promote its products and services. This concentration provides the opportunity to gain knowledge of concrete technology and techniques essential to help you to become an invaluable member of this progressive and ever-changing industry. The CIM concentration provides a foundation for students who wish to pursue careers as project managers, estimators, schedulers or a combination of all three at an executive level. CIM career opportunities include field sales, operations, project and production management; technical service; concrete production; cement, admix, or equipment manufacturing; concrete or general contracting; and development.
General Building Concentration
Prepares students for careers in the construction of industrial, commercial, and institutional structures. The general building concentration provides a foundation for students who wish to pursue careers as estimators, project managers, project engineers, and eventually become owners of firms engaged in the construction of industrial, commercial and institutional structures.
Heavy Construction Concentration
Prepares students for careers related to the public works discipline. Typical projects of heavy construction include highways, airports, bridges, power plants, rapid transit systems, harbor and water facilities, pipelines, dams, tunnels, canals, sewerage and water works. The heavy construction concentration prepares students for careers related to the public works discipline. Gradates become project managers, estimators, schedulers, or a combination of all three at an executive level. Heavy construction managers, through education and experience, are capable of implementing significant facets of construction on a timely and economical basis with proficiency and integrity.
Residential Construction Concentration
Prepares students for careers in the residential sector of the industry. This concentration covers the specific methods and processes during the planning, production, marketing, and business-related activities common to residential construction. Graduates become project managers, estimators, schedulers or a combination of all three at an executive level.
Specialty Construction Concentration
Prepares students for careers with specialty contractors such as mechanical and electrical construction firms. This concentration emphasizes the construction process at the subcontractor level. The specialty construction concentration prepares students for careers with contractors- such as mechanical and electrical construction firms.
Highlights
- Construction managers are one of the three most vital people on a job site, working in direct partnership with the architect and engineer. DEWSC students learn to organize, lead and manage the building process.
- DEWSC students participate in annual team competitions against other schools from all parts of the world and are sponsored by our industry supporters. We have several national awards to attest to the quality of our program.
- There are seven student clubs that represent varied segments of the construction industry such as commercial & heavy construction, residential, trenchless technology, women in construction, mechanical contractors, concrete and The International Honor Society – Sigma Lambda Chi. Club members participate in fundraising events, community service projects, recruiting visits, peer tutoring, and more.
- With approximately $176,000 in scholarships to award each year, we lead the nation’s construction programs in supporting great students.
- 100% employment placement of graduates – even during slow economics periods.
- Mandatory field and managerial internships are paid positions that receive academic credit and may lead to permanent employment.
- Study abroad is available at many of the fine construction management programs around the world. Global construction is the future of our industry and we encourage students to consider this route.