*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Mining and Geological Engineers, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mining-and-geological-engineers.htm (visited March 24, 2022).
Your path to graduate is personal and individual. While someone else may graduate later even though they started school when you did, they may have had other academic commitments to satisfy. Others may be able to finish their programs sooner than you because they don't have to deal with Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) or work during their college years.
Look at how many credits are required for a Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology. This is usually 120. If you take 30 credits per year, you'll graduate in about four years. If you can take more classes, this will shorten the time you're in school. Don't forget to seek information from your assigned advisor. Doing so means you're less likely to miss a required class, which could delay your graduation.
Before choosing a major there are some important facts you should know about.
When you know that you want to major in Construction Technology, you should find out if the colleges and universities you're most interested in carry this major. You should check the academic catalogs of each university to verify which ones do carry an Construction Technology major and verify with your state's department of education that the colleges you're considering offer the appropriate Construction Technology education program you need for your field.
If a university you're considering doesn't carry a Construction Technology major, then it's time to cross that school off your list. Keep checking the other schools. For those that do have a Construction Technology major, begin looking over their programs so you get a better idea which university interests you the most.
Before you declare a major in Construction Technology, you should have an idea of what kind of timeframe you're looking at. If you are trying to achieve an associate degree, you will only need to finish about 60 credit hours over 2 years. However, if you are going for you bachelor's (B.S. or B.A.) degree in Construction Technology, you will need to complete 120 credit hours over four years. And, if you want to attain a master's degree as well, you will have to finish your bachelors first and then spend around 2 years completing 60 more credit hours. Some of the coursework you will find in a typical Construction Technology degrees are:
These days fewer and fewer students graduate in four years. In fact, the government now sets the bar at a six-year term from starting a degree to graduation. Accredited programs in Construction Technology, on the other hand, are more likely to graduate in 4-5 years. That is because those programs are more competitive, and studies have shown that students in highly competitive programs have more success with graduating in four years (or less.) Keep it mind there are also other determining factors that play a role in how long it takes to graduate like full time vs part time, funding for college, working at the same time (can potentially decrease how many credit hours you can take) etc. A good goal to shoot for is to graduate within 4 to 6 years.
Your school's accreditation is an important aspect of getting your Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology degree. The two most common forms of accreditation are regional and national.
Regional accreditation is the most recognized and most prestigious available. Because of this label, these colleges often have higher tuition and have more competitive admission standards. Regional accreditation accounts for over 85% of colleges across the United States. There are 6 different regions, including:
MSA (Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools)
NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges)
NCA (North Central Association of Colleges and Schools)
NAC (Northwest Accreditation Commission)
SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)
WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges)
National accreditation is less common. National accreditation agencies oversee the accreditation process for career, vocational, and trade schools across the United States. As a result, these schools tend to be less expensive, require less general coursework, and feature a more practical, career-oriented curriculum. Because it is less structured, schools are only reviewed every 3-5 years to ensure that they still meet accreditation requirements.
Accreditation is an important part of the selection process. It adds value to a Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology degree by offering wider acceptance than degrees from non-accredited schools receive. Accreditation ensures employers and other reviewers of your educational background that you have a quality education in Construction Technology. It informs potential employers that the graduate has the expected level of education and knowledge to perform work in today's high-paced, technology-driven environments.
The Department of Education designates regional and national accreditation agencies. It is also through this department that educational loans and grants are provided to college students. The federal policy is to limit student loans to schools and colleges with acceptable accreditation. Which means that, if your school isn't accredited, you will likely not be eligible to receive any financial aid. For many students, accreditation is key to getting funds to pay for the substantial costs of a degree in Construction Technology.
The cost of a Construction Technology degree depends on the type of school and the amount of coursework required. Private schools typically charge more than public institutions. Online education reduces the costs of living on campus or in an expensive location. For-profit schools may charge less than the other types. Many public institutions have a two-tiered system of fees with lower fees for in-state students and higher fees for out-of-state students. National averages shed some light on costs and help students understand the costs charged by institutions they might select.
According to the US Department of Education, the average, annual out-of-state cost for a bachelor program in Construction Technology will vary based on the following factors: public, private, in-state or out-of-state and state of the school you are attending.
Below are The National Center for Education Statistics reports for average annual undergraduate cost estimates, in current dollars, for the 2016–17 academic year. The NCES surveyed the average annual costs for undergraduate tuition, fees, room, and board for public and private institutions. Keep in mind this is an average cost and does not factor in any financial aid like scholarships, grants and loans a student may be receiving.
The average cost of tuition: $19,488 at public in-state institutions or about $77,952 for four years. $24,854 at public out-of-state institutions or about $99,416 for four years. $41,468 at private nonprofit institutions or about $165,872 for four years.
If your university offers career and/or placement services, you'll be able to take advantage of both as a student or graduate. You can receive career counseling, career assessments, and resume reviews, where you'll learn how to spruce your resume up. It is important to research if your potential college has post career placement assistance. This demonstrates that the college or university Construction Technology program is with you from start to finish.