Effect of construction management instructors’ degree and industry experience on construction management graduate job readiness

Penlerick, D R and Capano, C D (2024) Effect of construction management instructors’ degree and industry experience on construction management graduate job readiness. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 20(4), pp. 523-543. ISSN 1557-8771

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of faculty education and industry experience on the work readiness of Construction Management (CM) graduates within their first three years’ post-graduation. This research hypothesized that the educational background and industry experience of CM faculty significantly influence graduates’ preparedness for the construction industry. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this study surveyed 465 full-time faculty members across 30 ACCE-accredited CM programs, evaluating their degrees and relevant industry experience. Recent graduates and industry leaders were surveyed to assess perceived readiness to work. The demographic findings revealed only 7% of faculty hold doctoral degrees in CM and 47% lack work experience in the field. The results also indicated that there is a linear relationship between programs with higher levels of industry experienced faculty and doctoral degrees in CM with enhanced career preparedness. The study proposes the Construction Faculty Qualifications (CFQ) Score, a metric combining academic and industry experience to evaluate and improve faculty qualifications comprehensively. The CFQ Score aims to drive accreditation requirements toward a more balanced combination of academic achievement and practical experience. This research underscores the necessity for CM-specific educational backgrounds and significant industry experience to enhance the quality and effectiveness of CM education.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: accreditation; industry experience; construction faculty; qualifications; construction management education
Date Deposited: 11 Apr 2025 16:24
Last Modified: 11 Apr 2025 16:24