According to a recent report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, enrollment of students in construction trades at four-year institutions grew 26.4 percent between spring 2016 and spring 2017. There are many reasons students are flocking to the field, as USNews reports, such as the blend of disciplines, unique projects, and programs that focus on hands-on learning. There are now nearly 10,000 students across the country who major in a construction trade major, up 7,659 from spring 2016.
The Construction Systems Management (CSM) program at The Ohio State University is one of 76 programs accredited by ACCE. Students who major in CSM develop the skills necessary to manage the business and technological aspects of the construction industry. With a wide variety of core construction courses and elective courses in business, law, accounting, and engineering, students prepare for careers in a range of industry sectors including residential commercial, and heavy construction.
“Our program continues to gain recognition and respect throughout not only the academic world, but the industry as well thanks to continued work with our advisory council.” said Mac Ware, an Instructor in the CSM program. “We’re making sure we are teaching our students what they need to know to have successful careers.”
In the 2014-2015 academic year, 65 students graduated from Ohio State’s CSM program. Of those graduates, over 96% obtained a job within 6 months after graduation with an average starting salary of $57,500.
LaShanda Coleman, Academic Advisor for the CSM program, has seen a growing interest in the program. “Not only are we seeing interest from prospective college students and current college students who want to change their major, but also people coming back to college to change their career,” Coleman said.
To learn more about the Construction Systems Management program at The Ohio State University, visit our website or contact LaShanda C. Coleman at coleman.174@osu.edu.
by Chip Tuson