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BS in Construction Management - Mission Statement & Program Objectives

BRIEF HISTORY:

The program has its origins in the School of Environmental Design. It first appeared in the 1970-71 edition of the LSU General Catalog. The first graduates of the program were 27 individuals who obtained their Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology in 1972. In 1974, Academic Affairs developed a faculty committee to study a recommended program from a broad information base. This base included guidelines from the Associated Schools of Construction and the American Council for Construction Education, LSU academia, local professional contractors, the Associated General Contractors, and students. The result was the establishment of the Department of Construction in 1976. It moved from the School of Environmental Design to the General College. There were 39 graduates in the 1976 class and a total of 180 students in the department. The program evolved and matured towards national accreditation by the American Council for Construction Education in 1983 and remains accredited to date. It became a part of the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies within the General College in 1984, placing it as one of two premier programs in the college. The program went through some lean times in the mid-80’s due to the local and state economy. At that time there were approximately 80 students in the department and the graduates were less than 20 per semester. The department managed to survive a mandated dismantling in the late-80’s by Academic Affairs and then grew to over 150 students. In 1995, the Department of Construction was renamed to the Department of Construction Management. There were approximately 180 students in the department and the graduating classes were approximately 30 per semester. In the spring of 1996, a Construction Management Review Committee was formed by Academic Affairs and it was recommended that the department be relocated to the College of Engineering. It became a part of the College of Engineering as a separate department in 1996. There were approximately 400 students in the department and the graduates numbered approximately 40 per semester. In 2005, the Department of Construction Management merged with the Department of Industrial Engineering forming a new Department of Construction Management and Industrial Engineering where it remains today. The Construction Management Program applied for a graduate program in 2008. It awaits the final approval from the Louisiana Board of Regents and the LSU administration. The 2008-2009 academic year statistics has the program at 436 declared majors and 602 total students graduating approximately 80 students per semester. It is the largest undergraduate program in the College of Engineering and the tenth largest undergraduate program on the Baton Rouge Campus. The program also provides service courses to other disciplines in the College of Engineering and it offers a Minor in Construction Management to the university at large.

MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the Construction Management Program is to produce a quality graduate with technical and managerial skills that meet the expectations of business, industry government and graduate programs on the local, state, and national levels. Furthermore, these graduates will become professional construction managers distinct from architects and engineers. Additionally the program offers a total life collegiate experience to the student that is worthwhile and appreciated as a lifelong endeavor to the study and practice of the profession.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

1. Maintain a nationally accredited and ranked program that graduates individuals who can manage construction processes effectively and efficiently and that stays current with the latest trends of the construction industry.

2. Stimulate the local, state, and national economy by supplying the demands of the current job market.

3. Establish a working relationship with business, industry, and government through quality teaching, research, and service.

4. Establish and maintain state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

5. Deliver quality instruction to both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

6. Hire experienced and qualified faculty who will teach, conduct research, and provide public service on current US construction practices.

7. Maintain a program that it’s faculty and students are nationally recognized as individuals who are proactive and contemporary with the industry’s current expectations, practices, and standards.