Learning Abroad Center

Learning Abroad in Construction Management

“Our students can greatly benefit from learning what’s happening globally in the fast-changing and exciting world of construction.”

Ann Johnson, Faculty Director, Construction Management, College of Continuing and Professional Studies

The Construction Management program encourages you to consider an international experience as part of your undergraduate education and will work with you on an individual basis to approve related courses to keep you on track for a timely graduation.

College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCaps) Costa Rica Pura Vida Tour

Formerly known as the Construction and Facility Management Pura Vida tour since 2013, the program incorporated Integrated Behavioral Health students in 2016, and is now a college-wide program of the College of Continuing and Professional Studies, integrating the varied disciplines into a unique cultural immersion.

Special Considerations for Construction Management Students

Working students

Even if you work full-time while you are a student, there are still opportunities for you to have an international experience. The Learning Abroad Center offers short-term programs such as Global Seminars, which are three-week programs focusing on varying topics and led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff. Global Seminars are taught in English and do not have pre-requisites.

If three weeks is too long to be gone, there are 1-2 week volunteer abroad programs through the Learning Abroad Center typically during winter break and spring break. There are also many short-term volunteer opportunities offered through the affiliated volunteer organizations.

Lastly, some individuals take a leave of absence with their employer to pursue international experiences. Talk with your Construction Management adviser and a Learning Abroad Center adviser to determine the best option for you.

Student parents

Learning abroad is a possibility for students with families. Several student parents have worked with the Learning Abroad Center and onsite staff to study abroad with their family. Speak with a Learning Abroad Center adviser for more information. You could also identify programs you are interested in and then contact the program teams directly to get started.

Academic Planning

Review the following suggestions from the Construction Management program before beginning your study abroad research.

Work on your Construction Management major or minor

  • Most students can find one or more classes from study abroad that fit within the construction major or minor.
  • Early planning and consultation with the Construction Management major or minor adviser will permit you to coordinate your on-campus and overseas course selections.

Fulfill Liberal Education requirements

  • Advance planning can help you apply study abroad credits to many of the University’s Liberal Education requirements.
  • Decide early which requirements you want to satisfy through courses taken abroad and plan your coursework accordingly.
  • Consult the Learning Abroad Center’s U Credit Abroad Search to find courses that have been approved for Liberal Education.

Once You Have Selected a Program

  • Use the Academic Planning for Study Abroad (APSA) form to structure your academic planning.
  • Once you have identified the courses that you want to take abroad (always choosing more courses than you intend to take), meet with the Construction Management adviser—preferably at least 3 months before departure. Bring your transcripts, your APSA form, and the course descriptions. Do the same in other departments for additional majors or minors.

While You Are Abroad

  • If once you are in-country, you become interested in a course that was not included on your APSA, and if you hope to apply that course to your major or minor, gather as much information as you can about the course and then consult by email with the Construction Management adviser before committing yourself.
  • Hold onto your course materials (e.g., exams, papers, reports, and at least a photocopied table of contents of any key textbook) and bring them home with you.

After You Return

  • Make an appointment with the Construction Management adviser to review overseas courses for which you wish to obtain final approval for use toward the major or minor. For other majors or minors you will need to do the same in a different department.
  • Bring to that appointment the course materials plus a brief explanation of why you think the course should be counted.
  • Check to see if your study abroad coursework has been posted to your U of M transcript.  If your study abroad courses were evaluated and approved for liberal education requirements and completion of these requirements is not reflected on your APAS report, please contact the Learning Abroad Center.
  • Be aware that courses taken abroad may require many weeks, or even several months, to get accepted and posted at the University of Minnesota. Times vary with programs. Let the Learning Abroad Center know well in advance if impending graduation or other special circumstances lend urgency to your case.

College/Department Scholarships for UofM Students

CCAPS students can apply for CCAPS Collegiate scholarships in addition to other Learning Abroad Center scholarships.

Programs

Africa and the Middle East

South Africa

University of Cape Town (available through IES South Africa)

  • Program Type: Host-University Study
  • Construction Management courses are available in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment in the Construction Economics & Management Department. 
  • Instruction is in English.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic or calendar year

Asia and Oceania

Australia

University of Melbourne (offered through IFSA Australia)

  • Program type: University Study
  • Faculty of Architecture, Building & Planning offers Construction Management courses.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic or calendar year

University of New South Wales (offered through IFSA Australia)

  • Program type: University Study
  • Courses available in the Faculty of the Built Environment.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic or calendar year

University of Technology, Sydney (offered through IFSA Australia)

  • Program type: University Study
  • Courses available in the Faculty of Design Architecture & Building and the School of Built Environment.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic or calendar year

Europe

United Kingdom

City University London (available through IFSA United Kingdom)

  • Program type: University Study
  • The Engineering department offers courses in Construction Management, Design, Surveying, Structures and more. Courses in a wide variety of other subjects are also available.
  • Fall or spring semester and academic year

Additional Options to Consider

LAC Global Seminars

  • 3-week, 3-credit programs at the 3000-level led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff over winter break or May session.
  • Explore an exciting location and topic, Fulfill Liberal Education requirements, or earn major/minor credit.

LAC Freshman Seminars

  • Combine on-campus instruction during the spring semester with a study abroad component during spring break, on a 3 credits, 1xxx level Seminar.
  • Freshman Seminars Abroad are designed specifically for first-year students as an introduction to study abroad, an opportunity to explore an exciting location and topic, and likely fulfill a liberal education requirement.

Additional LAC Seminars

  • Check out additional LAC Instructor-led Seminars that might run over winter break, spring break, May, and summer sessions. They vary in length, dates, and content so students can find one that best fits their academic and professional goals.

Intensive Language Programs

  • Begin your language study or work toward completing requirements for a language minor.
  • Complete a semester of language on a short-term program or explore options to complete two or more semesters of language on semester-long program.