MS in Construction Engineering and Management (STEM Certified)
Introduction
To meet the growing demand in the field for highly skilled construction engineering managers, UIC CME launched this new master's degree program—the only one of its kind at a public university in the greater Chicago area.
Our curriculum is comprehensively developed and specifically designed to encompass the knowledge base and skill set required in the present-day construction engineering and management profession. The program is geared for students who plan to rise into higher roles in construction management—those who not only execute the required work, but who have the capacity to lead teams and oversee projects.
Contact us: Hossein Ataei, PhD, Program Director | Sara Arevalo, Graduate Coordinator
Who should apply?
This program is ideal for a wide range of professionals and recent college graduates who want to develop their technical knowledge and field-specific competencies.
You may be a strong candidate for this new MS program if you are:
- A mid-career or experienced construction management professional who is interested in positioning yourself for further career advancement
- A recent graduate of an undergraduate program in civil engineering, construction management, or a related discipline at UIC or another university
- A military veteran or current/former military engineer who seeks to make the transition to a civilian-side position
- An engineering professional who anticipates taking on greater responsibilities in construction project management and engineering leadership
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an engineering field—for example, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, industrial engineering—or in mathematics or physics.
Applicants must also demonstrate a satisfactory cumulative undergraduate GPA (grade point average) and satisfactory performance in previous coursework related to their major.
Topics Covered
When students complete the program requirements, we expect they will have comprehensive knowledge in these areas:
Topics Covered:
- Budgeting and estimating
- Claims and dispute resolution
- Construction accounting and financing
- Construction industry in the United States and abroad
- Construction equipment and methods
- Construction laws and regulations
- Construction project controls
- Construction quality control and safety management
- Construction scheduling
More topics
- Ethics and professional issues in construction engineering
- Managing risk in construction
- Managing stakeholders
- Organizational behavior and human resources management in the construction engineering industry
- Procurement management
- Project life cycle
- Project planning
- Sustainability and environmental management
MS Students and Alumni in Their Own Words
Ishika Sojitra
Construction Engineering and Management, ’27
Why did you choose UIC? Beyond its strong reputation, UIC offers an interdisciplinary Construction Engineering and Management program with flexible completion options, including thesis, project, or coursework-only tracks, which I found particularly appealing given my academic and career goals.
How is UIC preparing you for your future goals? UIC has given me a well-rounded foundation across civil and construction engineering. In CME 514, I applied sustainability and resilience assessment methods to real infrastructure problems, supporting my goal of running a sustainability-focused consultancy, while courses like CME 485 and 486 gave me practical exposure to contracts, equipment, and construction operations for my future as a Project Engineer. Coursework in geotechnical, foundations, and transportation engineering has further broadened my expertise across civil engineering.
What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now? I hope to be a skilled construction manager running my own consultancy focused on sustainable, design-integrated construction practices, helping owners and design teams deliver modern infrastructure projects that are efficient, well-coordinated, and built with long-term environmental impact in mind.
MS Students and Alumni in Their Own Words
Mohammed Hasan
Construction Engineering and Management, December ’26
Why did you choose UIC? I researched schools and programs to consider for a master’s program. After thorough research on UIC’s newest CME program (Construction Engineering and Management) I discovered Dr. Ataei was the program director and talked with him and met with him prior to applying. Also, considering that UIC only offers in-person classes, I think that was beneficial to my learning experience.
Name one thing you think UIC does better than anywhere else. UIC does very well in teaching concepts and engaging students in courses. None of the courses seem dull. I’ve also gained a lot of critical thinking skills, technical skills, and soft skills during my studies at UIC.
How is UIC preparing you for your future goals? UIC is preparing me with the key skills needed for leadership roles and managerial skills that I can apply in all aspects of life and can be transferable to any line of work.
MS Students and Alumni in Their Own Words
Mohammad Al Omari
PhD in Civil Engineering, ’25
MS in Construction and Engineering Management, ’23
Civil Engineer at the Illinois Department of Transportation
If a current high school student asked you what the benefits are of picking a CME major, what would you say? CME offers the opportunity to solve real-world problems, design sustainable infrastructure, work with cutting-edge technologies, gain hands-on experience, and build a rewarding career that makes a lasting impact on society.
How did your civil engineering major at UIC prepare you for the working world? UIC prepared me for the working world through an up-to-date curriculum designed to meet industry needs, along with practical experience and strong technical training.
What was your favorite course you took in CME at UIC, and why? CME 585: Construction Engineering Project Controls provided me with valuable project management skills and strengthened my understanding of planning, scheduling, and cost control, helping prepare me for the PMP certification.
Do you feel that diversity is important in the engineering field? Diversity is important in engineering because it brings different perspectives, encourages innovation, and leads to better solutions for complex challenges.
Flavio Amboss, ’23
Flavio Amboss, ’23
Master’s in Construction Engineering & Management
Preconstruction Manager at Premier Design + Build
If a current high school student asked you what the benefits are of picking a CME major, what would you say? The distinguished faculty bring real-life work experience to the classrooms.
What was your favorite course you took in CME at UIC, and why? CME 485 – Construction Eng. Management. Even though I had previous experience in construction management in Brazil, learning how the market works in the U.S. was key to landing my job, and I still remember being asked in my interviews about things I had learned in this class.
Do you feel that diversity is important in the engineering field? Please feel free to provide your thoughts on this topic. Absolutely. A key element of my work is to provide value engineering options to my clients. There are plenty of different ways of getting a project done, and many times, approaching the project with a creative and different option is what is going to win the job.
Is there anything we didn’t ask about that you’d like prospective students to know? Professor Ataei and Professor Karatas were my favorite professors. I used a lot of what I learned with them during my interview process, and I still use it to this day at my job.
Program requirements for MS in Construction Engineering and Management
Faculty and Location
The program director, Dr. Hossein Ataei, teaches the required core courses alongside colleagues from civil, materials, and environmental engineering.
All lectures are delivered in classrooms on UIC’s east campus, just a few minutes outside the core of downtown Chicago. The campus is accessible via the CTA blue line as well as a number of CTA bus routes. On-site parking is available for a fee, on either a daily basis or semester basis, for registered graduate students.
Students have access to department and university computer labs, including a full suite of civil engineering software: AutoCAD and Civil 3D, the Autodesk Building Information Modeling package (REVIT, Navisworks, and BIM 360), ARC-GIS, HECRAS, the Microsoft Office and MS Project suites, and more.
Career Advancement
The MS in Construction Engineering and Management at UIC is a degree designed for professionals, and therefore your career advancement is paramount. Strong partnerships and collaborations with industry inspired the creation of this program and the development of its curriculum. Advantages include:
- Our technical courses are career-focused and practical. We offer many of them in problem-based learning formats, in addition to classic formats that consist of lectures, projects, and exams.
- Students develop project portfolios based on the work they complete in the program. These portfolios are valuable in the career search process, highlighting each student’s knowledge base, skill sets, and certifications.
- We emphasize interaction with industry. Guest speakers from companies and agencies in the Chicago area will enhance students’ professional networks and understanding of the field. Students will have the opportunity to actively engage in engineering activities that serve the public and develop their skills.
- We encourage our students to apply for professional certifications and licensure that will enable them to achieve their goals. This may include LEED certification, Project Management Professional certification, Certified Construction Manager status, and Certified International Project Manager status.
- We have established a UIC-based chapter of the Construction Management Association of America, which provides networking opportunities.
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