WVU launches undergraduate degree program in construction management

Students in the lab build practical skills for construction management through observing and measuring materials. (WVU Photo/Megan Rinker)

Students interested in pursuing careers in construction and infrastructure development will now have a new degree option at West Virginia University with the launch of an undergraduate construction management program at the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

Story by Erik Rudolph, Marketing Strategist
Photos by Megan Rinker, Graphic Arts Designer

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Construction management is a rapidly growing field focused on the planning, coordination and delivery of projects ranging from buildings and highways to energy and infrastructure systems.

The new program, housed in the Wadsworth Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, integrates engineering principles, business management and field operations to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, within budget and to high quality standards.

“This new degree program will help prepare a much-needed workforce to meet growing demands in the construction management field,” said Lian-Shin Lin, professor and chair of the WVU CEE department. “It offers students a new academic pathway while creating opportunities to connect with industry and future employers throughout their studies.”

Construction managers oversee the full lifecycle of projects, including scheduling, budgeting, safety, quality control and coordination among stakeholders. Their work plays a critical role in delivering essential infrastructure, improving community resilience and ensuring safe and efficient construction practices.

Construction management is a high-demand field with strong job growth nationwide. Graduates of the program can pursue careers as project managers, superintendents, project engineers, field engineers, estimators, schedulers and construction consultants, with opportunities at companies such as Kokosing, Turner Construction, Skanska, Kiewit, AECOM and state Departments of Transportation, including the West Virginia Division of Highways.

To prepare students for success in the field, the program emphasizes experiential learning through internships, industry-sponsored projects and undergraduate research opportunities. Students will gain hands-on experience with emerging technologies such as digital twins, artificial intelligence and virtual reality applied to construction and infrastructure systems.

Students will also engage with state-of-the-art facilities, including asphalt technology and construction informatics labs, while benefiting from strong industry partnerships that provide internships, guest lectures and real-world project experience.

The curriculum offers multiple areas of emphasis, including construction project management, digital construction and building information modeling, infrastructure and heavy civil construction and sustainable construction.

The construction management program expands Statler College’s undergraduate offerings, preparing students to meet growing workforce demands in the construction and infrastructure industries.

The inaugural class for the construction management program is expected to begin in fall 2026. For more information, contact Fei Dai by email Fei.Dai@mail.wvu.edu or by phone 304-293-9940.

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