Lyles College of Engineering, Department of Construction Management and Architectural Studies • Fresno, CA • Campus • $288/Credit (In-State, incl. fees)
Fresno State offers 2 construction management pathways:
Program Pathways Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.S. | $34.5K in-state / $91.1K out-of-state | 4 years (8 semesters) | 120 |
| M.S. | $20.7K in-state / $34.8K out-of-state | 2 years (4 semesters) | 30 |
Tuition estimates use Fresno State’s 2026-27 full-time semester tuition plus mandatory campus fees; out-of-state adds $471 per unit.
- Why choose it: At about $34,500 in-state, Fresno State’s ACCE-accredited B.S. requires a 1-unit internship and gives plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems their own courses, and graduates can continue into a 30-unit M.S. in the same department.
- Trade-off: ACCE’s 2024 list showed the B.S. accreditation expiring in July 2026, and a renewal could not be confirmed from ACCE, though Fresno State’s current catalog still lists the program as accredited.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Credentials Offered | B.S. in Construction Management; M.S. in Construction Management |
| Format | Campus |
| Campus Location | Fresno, CA |
| Credit Hours | 120 (B.S.); 30 (M.S.) |
| Internship | Required for the B.S. (CM 193I, 1 unit); hours not stated |
| Programmatic Accreditation | ACCE (B.S.), per Fresno State; 2024 ACCE list showed expiry 07/2026 |
| Software Taught | BIM elective (CM 152); department mobile device requirement; specific software not named |
| Industry Certifications | None embedded |
| Major Entry | MATH 70 or MATH 75 and PHYS 2A with a C or better to declare the major |
| Tuition | $4,317.50 per semester undergraduate; $5,172.50 graduate (2026-27, in-state) |
B.S. in Construction Management
The estimated tuition for the B.S. in Construction Management at Fresno State is approximately $34,540 in-state (120 credits at $287.83/credit, derived from 8 semesters at $4,317.50).
The program can generally be completed in about 4 years (8 semesters).
The B.S. in Construction Management combines 56 units of construction management courses with 28 units of math, science, and business. The out-of-state estimate is about $91,060.
B.S. Curriculum
The major covers estimating, scheduling, project controls, and building systems, with a two-semester capstone.
- Foundations (7 courses, 13 units): CM 1 and CM 2 orientation, CM 17 Construction Materials and Basic Building Systems, CM 18 Construction Graphics, CM 19L Integrated Construction Lab, CM 20 Construction Documents, and CM 21L Quantity Take-Off Lab.
- Management core (6 courses, 15 units): CM 110 Estimating and Bidding, CM 116 Construction Scheduling, CM 120 Construction Safety Management, CM 122 Construction Laws, CM 170 Construction Project Controls, and CM 174L Integrated Construction Management Lab.
- Structures and building systems (7 courses, 16 units): CM 105 Construction Structures (or CE 20 Statics), CM 107 and CM 107L Advanced Construction Structures, CM 127 Soils and Foundation, CM 160 Plumbing Systems, CM 162 Mechanical Systems, and CM 164 Building Electrical Systems.
- Capstone and field (4 courses, 6 units): CM 179 Tech Topics Seminar, CM 180A and CM 180B Capstone 1 and 2, and CM 193I Internship/Work Experience.
- Electives (2 courses, 6 units): from building codes, site planning, building construction, heavy civil construction, BIM for construction management, sustainable construction, architectural design, and competition courses.
- Math, science, and business (28 units): MATH 70 or MATH 75 calculus, statistics (DS 73 or MATH 11), PHYS 2A and PHYS 2B, ACCT 4A, BA 18 Business and the Legal Environment, ECON 40 or 50, and MGT 104 Administrative Principles of Management.
Fresno State gives each building system its own course, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical, alongside two structures courses and soils, so graduates leave with more MEP coursework than a single combined systems course provides. Heavy civil and BIM are electives rather than requirements, so students headed for either should choose them deliberately.
More curriculum details are available here.
You Should Know
- All CM courses require a C to pass, and CM, math, and physical science courses taken credit/no credit do not count.
- Students in CM courses must meet the department’s mobile device requirements.
- Students must see an advisor at least once each semester.
- The catalog suggests using free electives toward a second major or minor, such as business.
B.S. Internship and Field Experience
- Required: Yes, CM 193I Internship/Work Experience (1 unit).
- Hours, pay, and placement: Not clearly stated.
- Employer partners: Not clearly stated.
- Related options: CM 98 Construction Management Competition can count as an elective.
The required internship guarantees every graduate some industry experience, though at 1 unit it is a lighter requirement than a semester-long co-op. Fresno State does not publish hours or placement support, so students should ask the department how placements are arranged.
B.S. Admissions
Students must pass calculus and physics before they can declare the major.
- Declaring the major: MATH 70 or MATH 75 and PHYS 2A with a C or better; applications without MATH 70 or 75 are declined, per the department.
- Transfer students: complete calculus and General Physics before transferring to declare the major on arrival.
M.S. in Construction Management
The estimated tuition for the M.S. in Construction Management at Fresno State is approximately $20,690 in-state (30 credits at $689.67/credit, derived from 4 semesters at $5,172.50).
The program can generally be completed in about 2 years (4 semesters).
The M.S. in Construction Management requires 30 semester units and a culminating experience under one of three study plans, and Fresno State designs it for recent graduates and working professionals from architecture, engineering, construction, business, or related fields. The out-of-state estimate is about $34,820. Duration is derived from 30 units at about 7.5 units per semester.
M.S. Curriculum
The structure below comes from Fresno State’s 2018 program proposal, since the current graduate catalog page was not available.
- Core (5 courses, 15 units): CE 210 Research Methods, MBA 210 Leadership and Organizational Behavior, CM 220 Advanced Planning and Preconstruction, CM 230 Advanced Construction Operations Management, and CM 240 Advanced Construction Business Strategy.
- CM electives (6 units): two courses such as site planning, building construction, heavy civil construction, sustainable construction, or graduate technical topics.
- Outside elective (3 units): one finance, MBA, or civil engineering course.
- Culminating experience (6 units): thesis, project plus a study course, or coursework plus a comprehensive exam.
The M.S. pairs advanced preconstruction, operations, and business strategy courses with an MBA leadership course, so it leans toward company leadership rather than technical specialization.
You Should Know
- The course list and admission rules come from the 2018 proposal and may have changed; confirm current requirements with the graduate coordinator.
- The 2018 proposal planned mostly face-to-face classes, with some on weekday evenings for working professionals.
M.S. Internship and Field Experience
- Required: No internship is listed for the M.S.
- Project option: the project study plan includes a 3-unit project.
The M.S. assumes students bring construction background or are working; the thesis or project plans are the closest it comes to applied field work.
M.S. Admissions
The 2018 proposal set these requirements; Fresno State’s current page does not list them.
- Degree: a construction management bachelor’s from an accredited program, or a related degree with a CM minor or certificate; applicants without CM background take foundation courses first.
- GPA: 2.8 overall and 3.0 in CM-related courses, unless the Graduate Committee approves otherwise.
- Other: college algebra, trigonometry, and statistics; a GRE score of 300 or better was highly recommended; personal statement, resume, and two letters.
Tuition
Fresno State charges full-time undergraduates $3,419 in tuition plus $898.50 in mandatory campus fees per semester in Fall 2026. Full-time graduate students pay $4,274 in tuition plus the same fees. Nonresidents add $471 per unit.
| Item (2026-27, per semester, 6.1+ units) | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $3,419.00 | $4,274.00 |
| Mandatory campus fees | $898.50 | $898.50 |
| Total, in-state | $4,317.50 | $5,172.50 |
| Nonresident tuition | +$471 per unit | +$471 per unit |
- B.S. estimate: 8 × $4,317.50 = $34,540 in-state; plus 120 × $471 = $56,520, for $91,060 out-of-state (derived).
- M.S. estimate: 4 × $5,172.50 = $20,690 in-state; plus 30 × $471 = $14,130, for $34,820 out-of-state (derived).
Be aware that:
- Graduate students taking 6 units or fewer pay $2,480 in tuition, or $3,378.50 with fees, per semester.
- Course fees of $4 to $1,000 appear in individual course listings and are not included.
- CSU tuition has risen each year, so later years may cost more.
- Students must own a mobile device that meets the department’s requirements.
- Housing, meals, and books are not included.
At about $34,500 for four years in-state, Fresno State’s B.S. costs about half of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s in-state estimate, largely because Fresno State charges no college-level academic fee. See Fresno State’s 2026-27 tuition and fees.
Why Choose This Construction Management Program?
Fresno State fits Central Valley students who want an ACCE-accredited construction management degree at standard Cal State prices, with a built-in path to a master’s.
Building systems depth: Separate plumbing, mechanical, and electrical courses suit students interested in MEP coordination or specialty contracting, and the soils and two structures courses round out the technical side.
Undergraduate to graduate: Graduates can stay in the same department for a 30-unit M.S. focused on preconstruction, operations, and business strategy, which suits those aiming for company leadership.
Accreditation check: Students who need ACCE accreditation for an employer or license plan should confirm Fresno State’s current status with ACCE, since the 2024 list’s expiry date has passed.
Accreditation and Credentials
California State University, Fresno is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, which supports federal financial aid eligibility and credit transfer.
Fresno State’s current catalog says the B.S. in Construction Management is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), and the department says its programs undergo periodic ACCE reaccreditation. ACCE’s baccalaureate list (Rev. 2024.03.13) showed the accreditation expiring in July 2026; a newer ACCE list could not be retrieved. The M.S. does not appear on ACCE’s bachelor’s list, which covers bachelor’s programs only.
Neither program embeds an industry certification. The B.S.’s value rests on its ACCE accreditation and required internship.