Construction Administration Degree Criteria

Application to the Program

Forms and guidelines for enrollment into the University of Oklahoma Graduate College can be found and downloaded at http://gradweb.ou.edu. Along with these completed forms, applicants should submit a letter of interest containing a brief narrative about reasons for seeking the degree, goals for use of the degree after graduation and a current resume (portfolios are not required). The letter of interest is very important and weighed heavily by the CA Program Application Review Committee. If the applicant meets Graduate College criteria and is accepted in the Graduate College the application packet is forwarded to the CA Graduate Liaison. Acceptance in the program is contingent upon approval by the CNS Applicant Review Committee. Enrollment in the program is limited and based upon available resources. Upon acceptance, the applicant should meet with the Graduate Liaison prior to enrollment.

Application Deadlines

FALL SEMESTER ENTRY ONLY. Applications submitted early are typically reviewed around the end of March, however the formal application deadline is April 30. Late applications will be accepted until August 15, but acceptance into the program at this time is based upon availability and not guaranteed.

Conditions for Degree Completion

  • Meet all OU Graduate College criteria and paperwork requirements.
  • Completion of six (6) core Construction Administration courses.
    • CNS 5513 Project Management and Controls
    • CNS 5523 Design-Build Contracting
    • CNS 5613 Information Technology Applications for Construction
    • CNS 5623 Construction Contracts and Finance
    • CNS 5813 Facility Acquisition Planning
    • CNS 5823 Quality Management in Construction
  • 35 total hours of graduate coursework approved by the Graduate Liaison.
  • Completion of a comprehensive final exam after all coursework is complete.
  • At least 51% of total courses are letter graded.
  • No more than six (6) credit hours of CNS 5960, Directed Reading.
  • No more than six (6) credit hours of CNS 5993, Special Studies Research; student must receive permission of the Graduate Liaison for credit.
  • No more than three (3) credit hours of CNS 5940, Industry Practicum; student must receive permission of the CNS 5940 coordinator for credit.
  • No more than six (6) credit hours of CNS 5970, Graduate Seminar; student must receive permission of the Graduate Liaison for credit.

Comprehensive Final Exam

The exam will typically be offered the Friday before the last week of semester classes. The comprehensive final exam will cover information from the core Construction Administration classes. Candidates will receive three or four written questions. Candidates will have one hour to choose a question and hand-write their answer. No questions or resources are allowed. The CNS Comprehensive Final Review Committee will review the individual answers. If necessary, the candidate will be allotted fifteen minutes to present their answer to the Committee. A whiteboard can be used for points of discussion. Committee members can ask the candidate about their answer during the presentation. Candidates must be enrolled in at least two hours of coursework in the semester in which they take the exam. If necessary, candidates will be allowed to take the exam twice per OU Graduate College rules (one time per semester).

Special Project

This project is an opportunity for the student to explore and develop significant expertise in a particular area of construction administration. Students must secure a committee chair and advisory committee by the end of their first semester. Students must follow the “Construction Administration Special Project Guidelines”.

Deadlines and Paperwork

By the end of October (approximately) of the Fall semester or end of March (approximately) of the Spring semester prior to the graduation semester the candidate and the Graduate Liaison must fill out the “ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY FORM, MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION, 0209P PROGRAM”. It is the responsibility of the candidate to determine and meet the specific dates set forth by the Graduate College.

The completed candidacy form must be submitted to the Graduate College verifying completion of necessary coursework for the MS degree and the degree option chosen. It is the candidate's responsibility to schedule an appointment and meet the Graduate Liaison to complete and to deliver this paperwork to the Graduate College.

Each candidate must complete a preliminary candidacy form the first semester of attendance in the CNS 5513 class. This completed form is submitted to the Graduate liaison and placed in the candidate's file. It is the candidate's responsibility to notify the Graduate Liaison by email of any changes to the candidacy form after first semester enrollment.

Two weeks prior to the final comprehensive exam or special project presentation the candidate must notify the Graduate Liaison to obtain the “Graduate College Authority Report Form of the Comprehensive Examination/Thesis Defense”. After completion of the comprehensive final exam or presentation of the special project the authority form is dated and signed by Committee members signifying satisfactory or unsatisfactory completion. It is the candidate's responsibility to submit this to the Graduate College as soon after completion as possible.