Bachelor of Science in Building Construction
Make a tangible impact on the built environment through planning, designing, estimating, procuring, scheduling, implementing, and maintaining sustainable, safe, and efficient buildings.
The Bachelor of Science in Building Construction program at Virginia Tech's Myers-Lawson School of Construction is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) and focuses on the business and process of making buildings and the performance of buildings including operations, finance, energy, and sustainability. Our program aims to prepare students for successful careers in the building industry and to equip construction industry professionals with the necessary tools for excellence in all phases of the built environment.
100%
Post-graduation job placement rate
400+
Enrolled Building Construction students
#2
Building construction program in the U.S.
$100,000+
In scholarships available each year
Before student can be considered for freshman admission, they must complete:
- 18 units of high-school course work
- 4 units of English
- 3 units of math (includes algebra I, geometry, and algebra II)
- 2 units of laboratory science (chosen from biology, chemistry or physics)
- 2 units of social science (one must be history)
- 3 additional academic units (foreign language is highly recommended)
- 4 elective units
If students have already graduated high school and have attempted 12 or more credits at the college/university level, then they should apply as a transfer applicant. If credits were attempted or completed in high school, they are still first-year applicants.
Eligibility for admission to the Building Construction major is determined holistically by the Virginia Tech Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The admissions committee will look at the achievement inside of the classroom, as well as who the students are outside of the classroom. This includes looking at an application within the context of the respective high school. The committee will consider a school’s course offerings, grading scale, and any other school-related information provided to review the student's academic achievement.
For an overview of the process as well as application requirements, key dates, and deadlines for incoming first-years, look here:
Learn more about what Virginia Tech looks as a transfer student and find information on transferring to Building Construction within the College of Engineering here:
If you're a current student at Virginia Tech and you're interested in changing your major to Building Construction, learn more here:
About our Program
The curriculum of the program includes a mix of core classes in construction science, building technology, and construction management, as well as elective courses in specialized areas such as structural engineering, sustainability, and historic preservation. The program also includes opportunities for hands-on experience, such as internships and co-ops, which allow students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings.
After the first three semesters of a science-based core curriculum, undergraduate students can elect to follow one of four tracks:
- Emergent Technologies for Construction, Housing, and Development
- Information Systems in Built Environments
- Sustainable Building Performance
- Restricted Elective Track (suitable for students pursuing double majors)
Our four tracks also offer opportunities to students seeking leadership. These options often overlap, and each prepare graduates for the challenges of tomorrow in the construction industry:
- Leadership
- Non-technical skills
- Entrepreneurship
- Best practice management principles
- The Program Educational Objectives of Building Construction are that, within a few years of program completion, graduates should be effectively serving society as construction professionals by:
- reviewing design elements to optimize project constructability, collaborating with architects, engineers, owners, and other stakeholders by application of teamwork, and professional and ethical behaviors.
- analyzing data and preparing cost estimates, budgets, and schedules, interpreting contracts and technical information, and ensuring the project complies with all legal requirements and codes.
- monitoring projects, responding to work delays, incorporating safety, environmental sensitivity, and social awareness into all operations and processes.
- innovating new technologies within vertical structures and optimizing the performance and sustainability of these structures.
The Student Outcomes are that, upon completion of the Bachelor of Science of Building Construction, students should be able to:
- Create written communications appropriate to the construction discipline.
- Create oral presentations appropriate to the construction discipline.
- Create a construction project safety plan.
- Create construction project cost estimates.
- Create construction project schedules.
- Analyze professional decisions based on ethical principles.
- Analyze methods, materials, and equipment used to construct projects.
- Apply electronic-based technology to manage the construction process.
- Apply basic surveying techniques for construction layout and control.
- Understand different methods of project delivery and the roles and responsibilities of all constituencies involved in the design and construction process.
- Understand construction accounting and cost control.
- Understand construction quality assurance and control.
- Understand construction project control processes.
- Understand the legal implications of contract, common, and regulatory law to manage a construction project.
- Understand the basic principles of sustainable construction.
- Understand the basic principles of structural behavior.
- Understand the basic principles of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems.
The Bachelor of Science in Building Construction degree offered by the Department of Building Construction is accredited by American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). As an ACCE accredited program, we are required to continuously review and assess our performance.
The objective of the ACCE review and assessment is to evaluate our organization, adequacy, and completeness of our courses and effectiveness of our academic program so we can continuously make modifications and adjustments to improve and meet the changing needs of academia and the construction industry.
Data is collected from individual faculty, graduating seniors, and industry focus groups. Data is also used to plot trends and determine current strengths and weaknesses.
Preparing World-Class Construction Professionals
The post-graduation success of building construction majors from Virginia Tech is strong, with a 100 percent job placement rate and a wide range of career opportunities available to graduates. Our students are highly sought after and many have multiple job offers from which to choose. Many go into their senior year with their offer in place and can concentrate fully on the last year of classes. If you want a high-paying and exciting job then look no further.
Students and graduates are obtaining internships and jobs in various traditional construction management positions such as field engineers, project managers, estimators, and field superintendents. Students are also obtaining jobs in sectors such as development, real estate, IT, and others. These roles may be in a variety of settings such as general contracting firms, consulting firms, architecture firms, or government agencies.
With 100 percent job placement rates and above-average starting salaries, building construction majors from Virginia Tech are well-positioned for success after graduation.
Browse data on what our students do after graduating here:
Our Faculty
The faculty in building construction at Virginia Tech is made up of a diverse group of experienced professionals with expertise in a wide range of areas related to construction and building design. Our faculty includes architects, engineers, construction managers, and other specialists who are dedicated to advancing the field through research, teaching, and service. Each are committed to providing students with a comprehensive and cutting-edge education that prepares them for careers in the construction industry.
From Our Ambassadors
CONNOR HETMAN
FALL 2024
"As cliche as it sounds, MLSoC is a second family, and Bishop-Favrao Hall is a home away from home. Every professor and advisor will go above and beyond to do whatever they can to help you succeed both in and out of the classroom."
NIKOLAI CLAYTON
SPRING 2025
"It is a beautiful campus with one of the best Army ROTC and Building Construction programs in the country. The connections you form here and resources the program provides cannot and is not mimicked anywhere else."
KELVIN ZAVALA-DIAZ
SPRING 2024
"Construction is a growing field that needs new voices, new perspectives, and needs you. It is an industry that continues to grow in multiple areas and needs people that can lead the change."
BENJAMIN DEANGELIS
SPRING 2025
"Once you join Myers-Lawson School of Construction, you are part of the family. You will have many opportunities that could benefit your career goals."
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