Construction Management Certificate

Construction management certificate program in Denver

From conceptual development through final construction phase, learn what it takes to oversee successful construction projects that meet or exceed stakeholder expectations. Taught at the CSU Spur location in Denver during evenings and weekends, this program enhances your ability to coordinate and manage people, materials, equipment, budgets, schedules, and contracts.

Gain professional, industry-specific skills

In this program, you are trained to:

• Coordinate the different needs of large-scale projects.
• Maintain relationships with contractors and subcontractors.
• Define the structure and responsibilities of the project management team.
• Handle external concerns such as materials, safety, and risk management.

You don't have to put your career on hold to gain formal construction management training. This program can improve your effectiveness, keep you up to date on industry developments, and give you the competitive edge to further your career. Specific topics covered in the program include:

• Construction engineering and materials
• Methods and systems
• Material science
• Structural design: reinforced concrete, structural steel, and wood timber framing
• Mechanical/electrical systems
• Smart/green buildings and sustainability
• Construction economics
• Safety
• Estimating
• Scheduling
• Project management

Applicable to a variety of professionals

This construction management certificate program is attended primarily by superintendents and managers with substantial experience but no formal training in the construction industry. The program is also beneficial for a number of professionals in residential and commercial building, including accountants, attorneys, insurance assessors, marketing professionals, property appraisers, realtors, and lenders.

If you are transitioning into the construction field, earning your construction management certificate will develop the essential knowledge you need to be competitive. Learn in-depth material that is typically presented in undergraduate construction management programs without the commitment of a full degree program. This program can also prepare you for graduate study in this field.

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Questions?

Review Continuing Education FAQ's here.

Nick Rubino

Nick received his B.S. in Construction Management from CSU. He worked for Haselden Construction on large commercial projects, including municipal, education, hospitality, and healthcare. Throughout his career, he has worked in pre-construction, project management, and as a project superintendent. In 2015, Nick joined the Construction Management department as a faculty member and has been teaching in the department since. Nick received a M.S. in Adult education in 2022. Nick’s primary focus is to facilitate adult learning, utilizing problem-based learning.

Chad Olivier

Chad has a CSU pedigree in construction that traces back over 35 years. He earned his B.S. in Construction Management from Colorado State University in 1988, before enjoying a 28-year career with PCL Construction. Chad also holds an M.A. in Leadership. Chad’s career with PCL included direct involvement in over $1.5 billion worth of large commercial projects including high rise office buildings, sports and entertainment venues, airports, hotels, and hospitals.

Upon “retirement” in 2016, he launched an independent construction consulting firm. In 2017, Chad accepted a part-time teaching position at CSU, and teaches safety management. Chad’s field experience allows students to better understand what will be expected of them from a safety leadership perspective. Chad has taught in the C.M. Certificate Course for three years.

Dan Rondinelli

Dan Rondinelli is a motivated, licensed constructor with business management, estimating, project management, CPM scheduling, training and development, business development, and project controls experience. He is a clear written and verbal communicator with experience on Design-Build, CM/GC and Lump Sum Delivery methods.

Dan loves to share his experiences and has been teaching for CSU since 2000. When not building exciting projects you will find him in his wood shop working with his hands.

Jim MacKinnon

Jim grew up outside of Boston, MA and attended Colorado State University. Upon receiving his B.S. in Construction Management, Jim went to work for a national construction firm as an estimator focused on federal projects. In 1996, Jim started his career at Saunders Construction and, as their Chief Estimator, he provides executive leadership, oversight, and administration on all preconstruction efforts. He brings more than 30 years of construction industry experience to Saunders, holding numerous positions throughout his career ranging from lead estimator, preconstruction manager, and senior preconstruction manager.

As a LEED Accredited Professional, Jim’s knowledge and expertise is rooted in his relationship-based management approach and attention to detail. Jim is a past board member of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) and the Associated General Contractors of Colorado as well as a current Board Trustee for the National Sports Center for the Disabled, a non-profit that provides therapeutic recreation, competition and adaptive sports for children and adults with disabilities.

Clay Benson

Clay Benson is a Market Director in Mortenson's Denver Office and holds a B.S. in Construction Management from CSU. Clay is both a DBIA Designated Design Build Professional and USGBC LEED Accredited Professional. Clay has served as the 2009 Chair of the Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority, 2011 USGBC Colorado Chapter Board Chair, 2011 Graduate of the NREL Energy Executive Program, 2007-2008 Public Director for the AIA Colorado South Chapter, and currently serves on the DBIA National Award Jury.

As Market Director, Clay is responsible for the pursuit, procurement, design, and construction of industrial, manufacturing and corporate projects in Mortenson's Denver Office. Clay’s experience includes work on a wide variety of project types, sizes, and delivery methods.

Mike O’Reilly

Mike O’Reilly has taught the Structures courses in the Construction Management program at CSU for the last 20 years. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Colorado and Arizona. He has another 20 years of engineering, construction, and skilled craft experience.

Mike was a structural engineer for the US Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Charleston, SC, a steel fabricator in Columbia, SC, and a Fort Collins engineering firm. Prior to engineering school, he was a construction foreman, carpenter, and furniture frame patternmaker.

Steve Hultin

Bringing more than 45 years of mechanical, renewable energy, and utility systems expertise into the classroom, Steve Hultin has served as the Executive Director of Facilities Management at CSU, which enables him to speak with authority on the design, construction, and operation of buildings and campuses. After graduating from CSU in the 1970’s, Hultin began a career in the energy and solar industry. Later, he returned to CSU to complete his master’s in mechanical engineering. After graduation, Hultin took jobs with Besten Advanced Energy Products, Inc. as vice president for design and installation and later joined Swanson-Rink, a mechanical/electrical design firm in Denver.

In 1986, Hultin accepted a position with CSU Facilities Management as a campus mechanical engineer, where he was eventually promoted to executive director. Hultin concluded his 30-year career with CSU in 2016. He now remains committed to protecting the environment and enjoys new solar projects, offering consulting services and occasionally turning wrenches and soldering pipes.

Kylee Samuels

Kylee Samuels is the President of The Samuels Group, LLC, where she has been involved in planning and scheduling over $10 billion in total construction projects. She is a government scheduling expert with an excellent understanding of demanding scheduling specifications and rigorous project requirements. Kylee’s core strength in the construction industry combines scheduling solutions and construction knowledge into an innovative approach to successfully drive projects to completion. Her excellent communication skills allow her to be an effective member of every project team.

Kylee started working as a planning and scheduling consultant as an intern in 2004. Upon graduation from CSU in 2007, she began working full time for that same planning and scheduling firm where she would continue to grow the client base and knowledge of the construction industry for another 9 years. In 2016, she started her company, The Samuels Group, LLC where her team continues to plan and schedule projects all over the US.

Christofer Harper

Dr. Christofer Harper, Ph.D., is an associated professor in the Department of Construction Management at Colorado State University’s main campus in Fort Collins. Dr. Harper joined the CM faculty in 2018 and is currently teaching construction scheduling and project controls, mechanical and plumbing systems, and post-award construction management at CSU.

Prior to joining CSU, Dr. Harper was employed as an assistant professor in the Department of Construction Management at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA, where he worked from 2014 to 2018. Prior to working in academics, Dr. Harper spent 13 years working in the construction industry.

Michael Randall

Michael Randall provides instruction on the electrical aspects of construction management.

Bret Gunnell

Bret Gunnell provides instruction on the legal aspects of construction management.

Students who have attended our certificate program are employed by the following organizations (partial list):

"The broad spectrum of experience and background represented in this program provides renewed assurance that our construction industry will be thriving for generations to come. The students are always very engaged, their insight and questions are extremely thoughtful, and their passion and motivation to succeed in the construction industry is palpable. I learn from – and am inspired by – CSU’s students and look forward to continuing to be a part of the program in the future."

Daniel Craig, SAR+ Architect

Are there any prerequisites for the Construction Management Certificate program?

There are no specific prerequisites for the program; however it is helpful if students have some experience in the construction industry or in a construction-related industry. It is also helpful if students have a basic understanding of how to read and interpret blueprints.

At what level is the Construction Management Certificate program course material?

The Construction Management Certificate program is a noncredit overview of CSU's respected 4-year undergraduate program offered on campus in Fort Collins. Therefore the certificate course is comprehensive and substantial. It is taught by many of the same instructors who teach in CSU's undergraduate and graduate programs, so the instruction is of the highest quality.

Who should take this program?

The Construction Management Certificate program is specifically geared for people who have experience in the construction industry and want to learn more and have a broader base of skills and knowledge within that industry or for those who want to transition into the construction industry and have some knowledge of the basic practices used in industry.

What will be expected of me?

First and foremost, we ask that participants make every effort to attend every session. The benefits of the course can only be realized by being present and active in the course. You will be expected to complete assigned readings in advance of the sessions, and to complete homework assignments as assigned. We make every effort to recognize you are likely a full-time working professional, so being present in the classroom and engaging in discussions is critical. Note that there are three (3) full-day Saturday sessions in addition to the regular Wednesday evening class. There will be assessments throughout the course to test knowledge gained.

Is the course well-recognized by local companies?

Due to the high quality of this certificate program, it is very well-respected and valued by the construction industry in Colorado. Many companies send their employees to the program as a result of word-of-mouth recommendations from students who have attended the course. This also makes the program an excellent networking opportunity, as many of the students are currently working in the construction industry.

What will I receive at the end of the program?

Upon successful completion of the course, you receive a framed certificate showing that you have completed 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), equal to 100 class-time hours.

Will this course appear on my official transcript?

The Construction Management Certificate is a noncredit program and does not appear on your official Colorado State University transcript. You can include this valuable credential on your resume.

Is there an online section?

No there is not. This certificate program can only be taken in person.

Are there scholarships?

No there are not.

Can I use financial aid?

With this certificate program, using financial aid is not an option.

What is the time commitment?

100 hours over a 6-month period.