An Evolving Academic Discipline Works to Define its Contribution
While construction education continues to gain a foothold at the university level, it remains a discipline in search of its identity. At the 100-plus U.S. schools that offer four-year construction degrees, construction programs sometimes are tucked under the umbrellas of engineering or architecture departments that may seem unlikely.
But change is at hand. Construction programs are evolving. Once considered primarily as training grounds for construction managers, programs have ventured into areas usually associated with engineering, such as research and continuing education. But even as construction programs develop, many still seek respect. "Most construction programs are treated as a stepchild," says Larry Grosse, head of the Dept. of Manufacturing Technology and Construction Management at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. "Architecture and engineering are older programs. Construction management is still a startup."