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History

The Department of Construction Management at the University of Washington is one of five departments within the College of Built Environments (CBE).

Origins of the CM Department

The CM Department’s foundation was laid in the 1950s, at a time when students interested in construction created individual programs from existing university courses.  These individuals were awarded Bachelor of Arts degrees by the College of Arts and Sciences at the time.  The B.A. option was discontinued in October 1962 and replaced by a similar program within the College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

In May 1963, the UW Board of Regents approved the curriculum for a program entitled “Building Technology and Administration” (BT&A). Thirty-one [31] students were enrolled in the program’s first course during the winter quarter of 1964.  This class, “Construction Materials” marks the formal beginning of the Construction Management curriculum.   

In June 1965, the first six [6] graduates were granted a Bachelor of Science degree, and on July 1, 1996, the name was officially changed to the Department of Construction Management.

Enrollment and Degree Programs

Undergraduate enrollment growth has remained steady over the past decade.  Currently 70 – 75 students graduate with B.S. degrees annually, a number that is expected to grow to 90 within a few years.

In 1994 the Department developed its Master of Science degree program, which prepares approximately 70 individuals each year for management positions in construction and construction-related industries.

In 2003 the Department, together with the other academic units in the College, began offering a college-wide interdisciplinary Ph.D. in the Built Environment, a program that has grown steadily.

There are currently over 2,000 CM alumni who hold responsible positions in the construction industry.

Department Framework

The CM Department is administered by a chair and a small administrative staff. The Chair reports to and serves as an appointee of the Dean of CBE, who in turn is responsible, through the Provost, to the President of the University of Washington.

The Department maintains a membership with the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC), and a nationally accredited undergraduate program by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE).