An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Mankato State university construction management program

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Construction Management Program at Mankato State University (MSU), Mankato, Minnesota. Initially, a review of the literature was conducted relating to construction education. This was followed by a review of the MSU Construction Management Program. The primary source of information for this study was responses to questionnaires by graduates of the program prior to 1988-89 academic year and their employers. The population was asked to rate 62 competency items grouped under six subject areas according to level of importance to career preparation and perceived degree of proficiency attained by graduates. Graduates and employers agreed there is a significant relationship between the perceived degree of proficiency graduates have attained and the importance of knowledge and skills in the six subject areas to career preparation. In the subject areas of business and management, management of construction, construction technology, and mathematics and science, graduates after December 1986 perceived themselves to be more proficient than graduates prior to December 1986. Graduates rated management of construction as the most important subject area, and employers rated construction technology as most important. The researcher concluded that although there may be some deficiencies in the subject areas of mathematics and science and construction design, the philosophy of the MSU Construction Management Program is in step with the shift in emphasis to the subject areas of business and management, construction technology, and management of construction occurring in construction curricula nationwide. The program is achieving its basic objectives, namely: (a) to provide graduates with the essential tools for a managerial career in construction or a related industry and (b) to maintain a relevant curriculum that will meet the current and future needs of the industry it is intended to serve.