Construction management and the built environment
Bachelor of Science
Overview
Build your future. Lead the whole project.
Your classroom spans three colleges, giving you access to experts in the College of Business and Economics, College of Art and Architecture and College of Engineering for a broader perspective on the construction industry.
University of Idaho’s new Bachelor of Science in construction management and the built environment was custom built for Idaho to help meet the state’s growing need for construction leaders now and in the future. Construction management requires leaders who understand how business, architecture, engineering and construction work together from concept through completion. Created through a unique collaboration among the College of Business and Economics, College of Art and Architecture and College of Engineering, this interdisciplinary degree prepares you to manage every phase of the construction process while developing the technical knowledge, leadership, communication and business skills needed for high-demand careers with strong stability and competitive pay. The first cohort begins fall 2027, and you can apply now.
Unlike traditional construction management programs, this interdisciplinary degree integrates design, engineering, business and construction into one collaborative learning experience. You'll develop expertise in project planning, estimating, scheduling, contracts, construction methods, leadership and digital technologies while learning the business of design-build and integrated project delivery in the built environment.
As Idaho’s only Carnegie R1 research university, University of Idaho will prepare you to solve real-world construction challenges through hands-on learning, industry partnerships and faculty mentorship. Working alongside experts from three colleges, you’ll gain experience with Building Information Modeling (BIM), emerging artificial intelligence applications, construction technology and collaborative project delivery. This three-college model also gives you broader access to faculty mentors, professional networks and interdisciplinary perspectives across design, engineering and business — creating more opportunities to build relationships, explore career paths and learn how successful projects come together from every angle.
Throughout the program, you'll work on interdisciplinary projects, complete internships with industry partners and develop the leadership skills employers seek in project engineers, estimators, superintendents and construction executives. You’ll graduate prepared to lead and manage projects in commercial construction, infrastructure and residential development including design-build environments shaping communities across Idaho and beyond.
Program highlights
- Interdisciplinary curriculum across three colleges
- Leadership and project management development
- Design-build and integrated project delivery focus
- Building Information Modeling (BIM) and emerging technologies
- Industry-sponsored projects and internships
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Are passionate about bringing a plan to life
- Enjoy solving problems with several possible solutions
- Want to lead people without losing sight of the details
- Are interested in architecture, engineering, business and technology
- Enjoy organizing timelines, resources and moving parts
- Communicate clearly and want to gain confidence in making decisions
- Want a career that combines office strategy, job-site experience and visible results
See the entire project from every angle
Curriculum
The B.S. in construction management and the built environment is a 120-credit program combining coursework and applied learning experiences. Offered through three colleges — business, architecture and engineering — the program gives you access to expertise across the disciplines that shape the built environment. Students build technical expertise while gaining hands-on experience in the field. The construction management program will prepare you to lead people, coordinate complex systems and deliver successful projects from concept through completion.
Learning outcomes
You will build expertise across the full design-build process through coursework in:
- Integrated project delivery
- Construction planning and management
- Building technologies, artificial intelligence and innovation
- Design-build projects and applied learning
- Multi-disciplinary learning experience across three colleges
Hands-on learning beyond the classroom
Students participate in:
- Collaborative studios
- Design-build projects
- Industry-sponsored projects
- Business development and industry networking events
- Internships
- Construction site visits
- BIM modeling and digital construction technologies
- Employer networking and professional presentations
Program faculty
Faculty from the College of Business and Economics, College of Art and Architecture, and College of Engineering bring expertise across the architecture, business, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. Students benefit from interdisciplinary instruction and mentorship.
Career outcomes
Clubs and involvement opportunities
Find your place in the industry before graduation
Construction is built on relationships. The people you meet in college may become future coworkers, mentors, consultants, clients or hiring managers.
Construction management students become part of a collaborative professional community while building leadership experience and industry connections. You can compare solutions with teammates, hear how professionals entered the field and begin learning which part of the industry feels right for you. You'll have access to organizations and opportunities such as:
- Interdisciplinary Design-Build projects
- Construction competitions
- Industry networking events
- Employer mentorship
- Professional conferences
- Architecture, engineering and construction collaborations
- Internships with regional and national firms
Internships
Take your learning even further with internships at architecture, engineering and construction firms, non-profits and public agencies. Or join our Design-Build Program, where you work on real construction projects with real clients.
Financial aid and scholarships
While paying for college can feel overwhelming, University of Idaho is committed to affordability and clarity about tuition and financial aid. Here are a few key resources to help you understand the cost of your degree and explore available financial support:
- Submit your FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to accessing federal, state and institutional financial aid.
- Estimate your cost of attendance: Use U of I’s Cost Calculator to estimate tuition and other expenses associated with earning your degree.
- Discover scholarship opportunities: When you apply to University of Idaho, you’re automatically considered for scholarships. Additional awards are available based on your previous experience, background and anticipated program of study.
If you have any questions about financial aid, scholarships or cost, U of I’s experienced financial aid counselors can help you make informed financial decisions and navigate each part of the process. Reach out to our Financial Aid Office for assistance.
Recognized STEM Program
This program is recognized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and may be eligible for the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension for international students.
Application instructions
This degree is accepting applications for Fall 2027.
Undergraduate applications open each September and admissions are processed on a rolling basis. Qualified students are admitted and considered for scholarships and financial aid as applications are received.
Explore admission requirements and apply on our Admissions website.
Overview
Have questions?
Not sure if this program is the right fit? Connect with your admissions counselor or request more information to get personalized guidance on program details, requirements and next steps.
Connect with our admissions team to discuss:
- Curriculum and student experiences
- Internships and career opportunities
- Industry partnerships
- Admissions and scholarships
Why study construction management at University of Idaho?
University of Idaho's construction management and the built environment degree prepares students to understand the entire project lifecycle from every angle by integrating architecture, business, engineering and construction into one collaborative curriculum. Students graduate with the business skills to lead, the technical expertise to collaborate and the interdisciplinary perspective to deliver design-build projects for communities in Idaho and beyond.
Construction management program frequently asked questions
What makes this degree different from traditional construction management programs?
Traditional construction management programs often focus on the construction phase of a project. This degree prepares you to understand the full project lifecycle by combining design, engineering, business and construction while emphasizing collaboration, emerging technologies and integrated project delivery.
How is this program interdisciplinary?
Construction management in and the built environment is a collaborative program spanning the College of Art and Architecture, the College of Engineering and the College of Business and Economics. You'll learn alongside students and faculty from multiple disciplines, reflecting how today's construction projects are planned and delivered.
Will I gain hands-on industry experience?
Yes. Internships and industry-connected learning experiences are embedded throughout the program to helping you apply classroom learning while building professional networks.
What industry skills will I develop in this program?
Graduates in the construction management program will learn to:
- Lead multidisciplinary construction project teams
- Solve complex project challenges
- Prepare project estimates
- Develop construction schedules
- Coordinate architects, engineers and contractors
- Apply BIM and digital construction technologies
- Leverage data to improve project performance
- Effectively communicate across all stakeholders
- Deliver projects safely, efficiently and sustainably
Will I learn BIM and emerging technologies?
Yes. Students gain experience using Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital construction workflows and emerging technologies, including applications of artificial intelligence that are reshaping the construction industry.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?
Graduates are prepared for careers in construction leadership, including managing multi-disciplinary architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) teams.
Potential careers include:
- Development project manager
- Construction manager
- Project engineer
- Project manager
- Estimator
- Superintendent
- Scheduler
- Field operations manager
- Design-build coordinator
- Construction consultant
- Owner's representative
What is design-build?
Design-build is a project delivery method in which one team oversees both the design and construction of a project under a single contract. Because design-build is becoming increasingly common across the construction industry, you will gain experience working in the collaborative environments you'll encounter in your career.
Work through real constraints
Construction rarely follows a perfect script. Budgets shift. Materials are delayed. Site conditions reveal new problems. Clients reconsider priorities.
Through a business leadership lens, you will apply design-build principles, participate in industry-sponsored projects, make site visits and collaborate across sectors. You’ll learn how professionals respond when situations change.
Build what comes next.
Years from now, people may walk into a school, home, hospital, workplace or community space you helped bring into existence.
They may never see the schedule you rebuilt, the conflict you caught in a digital model or the conversation that kept a team moving forward. They will simply experience a place that works.
You will know what it took to get there, from every angle.
At University of Idaho, you’ll begin developing the judgment, technical understanding and leadership needed to carry an idea through uncertainty and into the real world. You’ll work across disciplines, learn from professionals and discover how your decisions can shape both a project and the community it serves.
The plans are only the beginning. Your future is in bringing them to life.