What is Construction and Engineering Management?

The Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) program develops knowledge, tools and methods that can add value to construction projects and organizations with a focus on risk management. In mature industries such as construction successfully managing risk largely determines the success or failure of projects and enterprises. By developing basic risk management skills and participating in leading edge research, students can position themselves to make enormous differences in for-profit, government and non-profit development organizations. Understanding the nature and structure of development risk provides a foundation for modeling, quantifying and mitigating those risks. The program integrates three themes in its research and teaching focus:

  • development processes and management issues that drive and constrain progress including the dynamics of rework, dysfunctional management teams, procurement process selection, fast-track implementation and resource allocation;
  • risks that threaten performance including implementable quantitative assessment, performance prediction and control under uncertainty, real options in construction and risk management decision-making;
  • means of improving construction, including advanced materials, integrated modeling of processes and management and information.

Construction Engineering and Management faculty apply a variety of research methods to these issues to build and test potential theories with data. For example, statistical models of dependence among construction phases and activities illuminate the effects of project structure on contingencies. Advanced construction materials are used to build and describe the behavior of structural members in laboratories. Controlled experiments with human subjects describe how managers assess and choose risk strategies for comparison with results from computer models based on theories from finance and economics. Surveys of experts and direct observations of construction operations form the basis for new processes and practices.

Interviews of practitioners about project management policies are integrated with dynamic simulation models of rework and quality to analyze resource allocation efficiencies.

Degree Information

Students can earn M.S., M.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in civil engineering in the Construction Engineering and Management specialty.

Graduate students now also have the opportunity to earn M.S., M.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in civil engineering with a focus on Infrastructure Management and Security.

Prerequisite Coursework

The following courses ( and their pre-requisites) are considered prerequisite to any graduate program of study in construction engineering and management:

  • CVEN 322 – Civil Engineering Systems (PhD students only)
  • CVEN 349 – Civil Engineering Project Management
  • CVEN 405 – Construction Management of Field Operations
  • CVEN 473 – Engineering Project Estimating and Planning

None of these courses may be counted towards any graduate degree in construction engineering and management.

You may be required to complete additional pre-requisites as part of your admission into the program. Those classes also cannot be applied towards the credit hour requirement. Pre- requisite coursework needs to be completed during your first semester at Texas A&M University, as they are pre-requisites for all our courses.

Master of Engineering and Master of Science (Non-Thesis)

A minimum of 30 semester credit hours of approved courses is required for the Master of Engineering degree (MEng) and Master of Science (Non-Thesis). Thesis work is not part of these degrees. The university places limitations on these credit hours in addition to the requirements of the CEM program. Approximately 1/3 of the 30 required credit hours of coursework should be taken outside the major area of study, Construction Engineering and Management. A complete discussion of university requirements is found in the current Texas A&M University Graduate Catalog.

Master of Science (Thesis)

The Master of Science (Thesis) degree is a research-oriented degree requiring coursework and research. A minimum of 30 semester credit hours of approved courses is required for the Master of Science–Thesis degree (MS-T). At least 24 semester credit hours must be coursework and the remainder is CVEN 691 research credit hours. The university places limitations on these credit hours in addition to the requirements of the structural engineering program that are listed below. A complete discussion of all university requirements is found in the current Texas A&M University Graduate Catalog.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is a research-oriented degree requiring a minimum of 64 semester credit hours of approved courses and research beyond the Master of Science (M.S.) degree or Master of Engineering degree [96 credit hours beyond the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree]. The university places limitations on these credit hours in addition to the requirements of the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Construction Engineering and Management program.

A complete discussion of all university requirements is found in the current Texas A&M University Graduate Catalog.

Certificate in Business

Texas A&M University Mays Business School offers a Certificate in Business to non-business graduate students at Texas A&M University. This certificate provides a general overview of the four major functional areas of business through a set of courses designed for non-business students. To complete the Certificate in Business, students must successfully complete four 3 credit courses (12 credit hours).