September - University of Nebraska

Job and Educational Advancement Opportunities
Employment opportunities for construction graduates at all levels are expected to increase
through at least 2010 because the number of job openings arising from industry growth and
replacement is expected to exceed the number of qualified employees seeking to enter the
occupation (USDL 2004).
Prospects of obtaining employment in construction management, engineering companies,
architectural firms, and construction contracting businesses will be excellent for persons who have a
master’s degree in construction science, construction management, or construction engineering, as
well as practical experience working in research laboratories. Employers prefer applicants with
experiences that combine an academic background in a construction discipline with proven
supervisory or managerial skills and exposure to state-of-the-art technologies. In addition to
industry growth, job openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other
occupations or who leave the labor force (USDL 2004).
In a study conducted by Bilbo et al. (2000), construction programs at twenty universities
were reviewed and all but one department reported 100 percent job placement of their graduates.
Most program heads felt they could graduate 20 – 50 percent more students and still have 100
percent placement.
The proposed degree is needed to establish a normal path of research study and preparation,
which is not currently available, leading to the Ph.D. degree. The proposed degree will also provide
an option for students wishing to pursue research in construction but not a Ph.D. A new Ph.D field
in Construction has recently been proposes within the College of Engineering Ph.D. program.
Contribution to Society and Economic Development
Successful graduate programs attract federal, state, and industry research grants, which
contribute indirect costs to the university. These research grants typically provide funding for
graduate students in the form of research assistantships, which attract more national and
international students. These students in turn, help the economy of Nebraska by spending their
stipends in the Omaha and Lincoln areas.
Graduate students are typically responsible for completing the work required for research
grants and contracts. The process of completing grant work allows the students to acquire the
experience that transforms them from students into competent professionals. The establishment of a
Master of Science research-based degree program in construction is necessary to attract quality
research, as well as to attract quality graduate students to conduct the research.
The research projects would impact the local society and quality of life. For example, there
is a need to replace a significant portion of the nation’s infrastructure. About half of the
approximately 600,000 highway bridges in the United States were built before 1940, and many have
not been adequately maintained (Emmons et al. 1998). Most of these bridges were designed for
lower traffic volumes, smaller vehicles, slower speeds, and lighter loads than are common today.
These bridges will have to be repaired or replaced in the near future in order to maintain commerce
across America. The repair and replacement projects will employ graduates of the M.S. in
Construction program.
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