School of Technology and Engineering • San Diego, CA • Online and Hybrid • $644/Credit (incl. fees)
National University offers one construction management program: the B.S. in Construction Management.
Program Pathways Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.S. | $77.3K (all students) | About 40 months (average) | 120 |
Tuition estimates use National University’s listed rate of $640 per semester credit plus a one-time $450 learning management fee; the rate is the same for California and out-of-state students.
- Why choose it: National University’s B.S. runs online or hybrid, one course at a time with monthly starts, and costs less for out-of-state students than a California State University degree at nonresident rates.
- Trade-off: The program holds no ACCE or ABET accreditation, requires no internship, and costs about twice a CSU degree for California residents.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Credentials Offered | B.S. in Construction Management |
| Format | Online and hybrid; in-person sections at the San Diego main campus and Palomar College University Center |
| Campus Location | San Diego, CA |
| Credit Hours | 120 semester credits (92 in major preparation, major, and senior project) |
| Internship | Not required |
| Programmatic Accreditation | None stated |
| Software Taught | AutoCAD (DEN 219) and computer-aided engineering (DEN 308) |
| Industry Certifications | None embedded |
| Schedule | One course at a time, monthly start dates |
| Tuition | $640 per credit; $250 per credit military rate |
B.S. in Construction Management
The estimated tuition for the B.S. in Construction Management at National University is approximately $77,250 (120 credits at $643.75/credit, derived from $640 per credit plus a $450 learning management fee).
The program can generally be completed in about 40 months, National University’s reported average.
The B.S. in Construction Management requires 120 semester credits, including at least 46 in general education and 51 upper-division credits, with 30 credits, including the capstone, taken at National University.
B.S. Curriculum
The program’s course requirements total 92 credits across major preparation, the major, and a three-part senior project.
- Estimating, scheduling, and project management (5 courses, 15 credits): CEN 419 Estimating, Scheduling and Control, CEN 420 Estimating, Scheduling and Control II, DEN 440 Project Management Fundamentals, CEN 421 Construction Accounting, Finance and Law, and CEN 425 Design and Construction Process Integration.
- Building systems and methods (5 courses, 15 credits): CEN 410 Construction Materials and Methods, CEN 413 Plans and Specifications, CEN 416 Mechanical and Electrical Systems, CEN 422 Field Inspection and Safety, and CEN 480 Sustainable Construction.
- Engineering and site (6 courses, 19 credits): DEN 225 Statics and Strength of Materials, CEN 323 Structural Analysis, CEN 325 Soil Mechanics and Foundation, CEN 320 Surveying, Metrics and GIS, DEN 310 Engineering Economics, and DEN 320 Scientific Problem Solving with lab.
- Design technology and law (3 courses, 9 credits): DEN 219 Introduction to Graphics and AutoCAD, DEN 308 Computer Aided Engineering I, and CEN 316 Legal and Ethical Construction/Engineering Issues.
- Senior project (3 courses, 9 credits): CEN 486A, 486B, and 486C Construction Senior Project I-III, a team project taken after 10 core courses.
- Foundations (8 courses, 25 credits): COM 103 Public Speaking, MTH 215 College Algebra and Trigonometry, PHS 104 Introductory Physics with lab, ILR 260 Academic Information Literacy, CEN 220 Engineering Mathematics, ACC 201 Financial Accounting Fundamentals, MGT 309 Principles of Management and Organizations, and CSC 220 Applied Probability and Statistics.
National University covers the core construction management sequence with an engineering tilt: structural analysis, soil mechanics and foundations, and surveying with GIS. Its math stops at college algebra and engineering mathematics rather than calculus, and the capstone runs as a three-course team project.
More curriculum details are available here.
You Should Know
- National University’s tuition table lists 125 credits and a $71,875 estimated total for this program, while the program page lists 120 credits; $640 per credit for 120 credits comes to $76,800.
- Students without transfer credit may need general electives to reach 120 credits.
- The program is not offered or licensed in every state, so out-of-state online students should confirm eligibility.
- Transfer pathways exist from Palomar College and MiraCosta College.
B.S. Internship and Field Experience
- Required: No internship, practicum, or co-op is listed.
- Capstone: CEN 486A-C Construction Senior Project, a three-course team project.
- Field content: CEN 422 Field Inspection and Safety covers inspection, safety standards, and regulatory compliance.
- Hours, pay, and employer partners: Not clearly stated.
National University’s format suits students already working in construction, who bring field experience into the program. Students new to the industry should plan to find site work on their own.
B.S. Admissions
National University reviews applications year-round with no application fee, essays, or exams.
- Start dates: monthly, with some students starting as soon as the next month.
- Transfer credit: accepted, with at least 30 credits required in residence.
- Military: military admissions and a $250 per credit military tuition rate are available.
Tuition
National University lists tuition of $640 per semester credit for its bachelor’s programs, updated October 13, 2026, with a one-time $450 learning management fee. Students pay the same rate regardless of state.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition per credit | $640 |
| Military tuition per credit (as of June 15, 2026) | $250 |
| Learning management fee (one-time) | $450 |
| Course material fee | $0 per course |
- B.S. estimate: 120 × $640 = $76,800, plus $450, for $77,250 (derived).
- Military estimate: 120 × $250 = $30,000, plus $450, for $30,450 (derived).
Be aware that:
- Transfer credit reduces the number of credits, and the cost, for most students.
- National University’s own 125-credit, $71,875 program estimate does not match its $640 rate.
- Housing, meals, books, and travel to in-person sections are not included.
At about $77,300, National University costs about twice the in-state price at San Diego State, but less than San Diego State’s out-of-state estimate and well under California Baptist. See National University’s tuition and fees.
Why Choose This Construction Management Program?
National University is built for adults who need to keep working, and it fits some students far better than others.
Working professionals: One course at a time and monthly starts let students already in the trades or construction offices move into management without leaving their jobs.
Military and veterans: At $250 per credit, the military rate brings the degree to about $30,500 before transfer credit.
Look elsewhere if accreditation matters: Students whose employers or graduate plans call for an ACCE- or ABET-accredited degree should compare CSUN or Cal Poly Pomona.
Accreditation and Credentials
National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, which supports federal financial aid eligibility and credit transfer.
National University lists no programmatic accreditation for the B.S. in Construction Management, and the program does not appear on ACCE’s baccalaureate list (Rev. 2024.03.13).
The program embeds no industry certifications.