Students who major in Construction Systems Management (CSM) specialize in the management and operation of the business and technological aspects of the construction industry. CSM students develop managerial skills to prepare them for a career in coordinating and directing activities in a range of industry sectors including residential, commercial, and heavy (roads, bridges, and freeways) construction.
Job Outcomes
Over 98% of 2021-2022 graduates secured a job within six months of graduation with an average starting salary of $63,960.
Why else should you join the CSM program? Click here to find out.
The CSM Experience
Curriculum
The CSM curriculum requires 130 total credit hours of courses. CSM Core courses comprise of 55 credit hours covering topics including materials and methods, estimating, scheduling, structures, surveying, graphics, and more. Students will also take at least 15 credit hours of Business courses and be able to further specialize their degree through additional technical and business electives. See the full CSM Curriculum and sample Four Year Plan.
Advising
Students will begin their academic journey in CSM by working with a CFAES College Advisor to determine any applicable transfer credit and discuss general education courses.
Upon enrollment in ASM and after meeting with a College Advisor, students will be assigned to a Department Academic Advisor and a Faculty Advisor. Department Academic Advisors will help new ASM students create their road map to graduation and assists with academic forms and petitions. Faculty Advisors can further help students approve their semester schedules, discuss jobs and internships, and more.
Internships and Co-Ops
Students in Construction Systems Management are required to complete at least one 400-hour internship to gain practical, hands-on experience to augment their on-campus course work. Our career advisors and instructors help students network with future employers to find internship and co-op opportunities. Career advisors are different from academic advisors, and head the internship programs in their respective majors.
What do I ask my career advisor for?
- Internship Coordination and Questions
- Elective Courses by Interest
- Professional Decisions
- Job and Career Advice
Construction Systems Management Career Advisor
Jeff Suchy (suchy.3@osu.edu)
What do I ask my academic advisor for?
- Audit Requests
- Course Enrollment and Scheduling
- Degree Progression
- Course Petitions
- Transfer Credit
Construction Systems Management Academic Advisor
Chris Slack (slack.77@osu.edu)
CSM Club
Students also have the ability to stay involved with CSM outside of the classroom in CSM Club. The Construction Systems Management Club’s mission is to help connect the leaders from the Columbus Construction Industry with the leaders of The Ohio State University Construction Systems Management major. Students that become involved with the club have numerous opportunities to meet many of the best and brightest leaders of the industry. The club provides several networking opportunities and participation leads to many internship and job opportunities. Learn more about CSM Club.
Industry Advisory Council
In addition to academic and faculty advisors, the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) was established to advise the Construction Systems Management program at The Ohio State University on direction and support for research and issues related to the commercial and residential construction industry. The IAC is comprised of industry peers who share a desire and commitment to help build the OSU CSM Program into one of the top programs in the country for the benefit of the CSM students and the construction industry.
To learn more about the IAC, head to their website.