The engineering field is becoming more complex and needs leaders who can solve real-world challenges. As a potential or current engineering student, you have the unique opportunity to select from 17 engineering majors following your first year in engineering.
Most engineering students want to be part of projects that matter—but rush to declare a major without fully understanding their options. Learning the differences between a degree and a concentration in Construction Engineering can help you get the most out of your education and make an informed decision for future professional job possibilities.
Read more about how Purdue CEM can help you turn your passion for engineering and architecture into a lucrative career.
Civil Engineering offers a concentration in construction engineering—but no management courses.
The Lyles School of Civil Engineering at Purdue University offers an education that prepares students to help build a better world by designing, planning, and managing highways, bridges, buildings, and more. In addition, this program helps prepare engineers to engage in the design, cost estimation, materials procurement, equipment selection, and application of engineering methods to future career opportunities.
The school of Civil Engineering faculty prepares students through research and educational opportunities such as 3D animation, augmented reality, virtual reality of construction operations, construction safety, emerging construction technologies, and multimedia development for construction.
During their time in CE, students can expect to fulfill one internship, involvement in instructional laboratories, complete a senior design project consisting of real-world applications, and finish 130 credit hours of coursework in engineering, science, mathematics, and general studies. This coursework will prepare students for careers as Construction Engineers, which provide an average annual salary of $82,735.
But for many civil engineering students, opportunities are limited to only studying construction engineering as a concentration—and they often need more education in management and additional hands-on, real-life work experience to break into more lucrative positions.
Receive more than just an engineering degree with Construction Engineering and Management.
The school of Construction Engineering and Management's (CEM) unique program helps turn a passion for engineering and architecture into a career where leadership, design, and oversight influence every aspect of a construction project. It combines construction engineering with leadership and management courses to prepare students for career paths in renewable energies, the oil and gas industry, the aviation industry, consulting and design firms, and more.
While the curriculum involves the same educational opportunities that Civil Engineering does through its technology courses, it also includes management courses through the Krannert School of Management. These courses prepare students to lead and manage people and projects in future careers. Small course sizes ranging from 30-36 students per class allow a student-to-teacher ratio that provides students with unique and individualized attention throughout the program. In addition, featuring three 12-week paid internships, the program has consistently placed 100 percent of its graduates in jobs upon graduation and provided an average of three career offers for each student before graduation.
The world is demanding innovative engineers who have the skills to manage people as well as the ability to design, build, and manage projects. CEM was initiated and crafted by a direct need from the industry, and it continues to drive the program’s success. This is why courses are taught by industry experts—who bring their own real-world experiences to the classroom.
Students will also experience industry partnerships that provide immediate, hands-on, real-life work experience, with additional opportunities to study abroad and earn graduate degrees. CEM faculty and staff are passionate about teaching, coaching, and mentoring students, with the goal of helping them excel academically and turn their passion for engineering into a lucrative career that averages an annual salary of $103,720.
The engineering field is becoming more complex and needs leaders who can solve real-world challenges and effectively manage people. Although there are many similarities between Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering and Management degrees, the differences are what make CEM a strong choice for future engineers who want to become industry leaders.
CEM offers three, innovative (and paid) internships that will provide exceptional hands-on experience, 100% job placement, and you’ll work directly with industry leaders to develop versatile engineering and management skills. We’ll help you turn a passion for engineering and architecture into a lucrative career where leadership, design, and oversight influence every aspect of a construction project.
The world is demanding innovative engineers who have the ability to design and manage projects as well as the skills to manage people.
The Purdue University Construction Engineering and Management program develops versatile engineers by merging high-value education with direct access to industry leaders and successful alumni. The curriculum is 80% construction engineering and 20% management courses, and classes are taught by industry experts who bring their own real-world experiences. Through small class sizes, innovative internships, 100% job placement, and the use of cutting-edge technology, we help turn a passion for engineering and architecture into a career where leadership, design, and oversight influence every aspect of a construction project.
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