UW-Stout's Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Construction prepares you to lead and direct even the most complicated construction projects. Our program focuses not only on technical and engineering processes but also on the business, management, and marketing aspects of the construction industry.
ACCE Accredited
The construction program at the University of Wisconsin - Stout has been accredited by the American Council of Construction Education (ACCE) since 1994. Learn more about UW Stout's Construction Program Accreditation and Assessment.
Individualized Attention
Construction courses average 30 students to ensure that you are getting the most individualized attention possible. The relationship between students and faculty is evident by faculty diligently helping students for co-ops and full-time jobs.
Industry-Experienced Faculty
The faculty members in the UW Stout construction program are committed and supportive of the students. All of the faculty have construction industry experience in the areas of energy, heavy/civil, industrial and water/wastewater, commercial and residential construction.
Team-Based Learning
Team-based learning forms the basis for many of the courses in the UW Stout construction program's curriculum. This enhances students learning, mimics real-world industry project scenarios, and provides a competitive advantage for graduates.
Real-World Experiences
Local construction industry alumni and leaders share their real-world management experiences by regularly presenting to construction courses and student organization events. They also are enthusiastic mentors who present networking and hands-on experiences through co-op opportunities for the construction program students.
100% Graduates Are Employed
Construction graduates get hired with an average starting salary of $56,000. Many of the construction companies that hire UW Stout graduates state that our students have the best work ethic and are the most knowledgeable students that are in the industry.
Program Overview
Hands-On Experience
Modern and well-equipped construction, design, and computer laboratories provide you with hands-on experience in learning the construction industry. In addition, a required cooperative education or field experience will give you practical real-world training that will be a plus when looking for a job.
UW-Stout's Construction program prepares you for several different career options including:
- Project management
- Estimating
- Scheduling
- Safety
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Project supervision
Your instructors include professional architects, engineers, builders, and construction managers who will share with you the experiences they have gained from working in the field.
Student Testimonials
"The University has impacted my academic success in many ways. The first is the professors have field experience and that is the class they are teaching. This is extremely beneficial to the students because those professors can make a direct correlation between what is going on in the field and what they are teaching in the classroom.
The second way the university has impacted my success is the relationships that I have developed with the professors. I have had multiple professors volunteer to help me in other classes to help me get a different view of the course material.
The third way is being involved with the SCA. I have been involved since I was a freshman, and I am so grateful I joined this club. The small jobs that we perform around the city of Menomonie have given me the chance to learn from the older students and teach the younger ones. The contractor presentations provide the students with another opportunity to network with professionals and ask specific questions to gain further knowledge to better their own future. These presentations helped me decide which path I wanted to go down. I chose the project manager path.
The career fair is the number one reason why I got a full-time job before graduation. The career fair got me connected with so many companies, it was hard to narrow my search. Without the career fair, finding a job would be a lot more stressful."
-- Sam Sippl
Use the Request Information form to receive a program summary and learn more about the Bachelor of Science degree in Construction.
Request Information
Graduates of the BS Construction program will be able to:
- Apply skills needed to administer a construction project
- Apply industrial standards related to a construction project
- Demonstrate the use of construction industry technology
- Identify and validate best practices within the construction industry
- Engage in construction professional practices
- Identify and evaluate design variables related to a construction project
- Research and innovate construction processes and methodologies
High school preparation is important if you want to study construction at UW-Stout. Since the construction curriculum requires calculus and physics, we recommend that you take as many math and science classes as possible. Students with a limited math background may have to take preparatory classes to reach the calculus competency level. Courses in English and communications are also highly recommended because you must know how to write and communicate if you are to succeed. High school business and general education courses are also recommended.
Starting Out
In your first two years of study, you’ll find a strong balance between general education and professional requirements. Courses the first year include English, sociology, geology, architectural graphics, speech, calculus, light construction methods, and psychology. An “orientation to construction industry” class will acquaint you with career opportunities and professional organizations.
Sophomore year courses include accounting, economics, architectural technology, heavy construction methods and equipment, concrete and masonry technology, physics, government, and principles of management.
Instructors will assist you with your academic plan and career choices. Assistance is also available through the Advisement and Career Centers, the Counseling Center, and Career Services.
As You Progress
Employers look for people with the ability to solve problems. This is what the upper-level courses will teach you. Classes that prepare you to understand the construction process include structural systems, writing, environmental systems, estimating, construction safety, organizational leadership, project scheduling and cost control, human resource management, and management of construction.
Entry Positions
Most Construction program graduates will enter the industry in assistant positions as project or field engineers, assistant superintendents, estimators, or schedulers. Some graduates may enter the trades and serve an apprenticeship or they may start their own companies and become professional contractors. Job opportunities are excellent, particularly for people from the Midwest because of the strong work ethic associated with the region.
Economic cycles do play a role, especially in housing, but less so in commercial, industrial, institutional or heavy construction. Grade point average is a factor, but what matters more is field experience, work ethic, and personal integrity.
Employers
- Bright KEYS Building and Development Corp.
- Centex
- Miron Construction, Co.
- TIC Holdings Inc.
- Adolfson and Peterson, Inc.
- Market and Johnson, Inc.
- TCI General Contractors, Inc.
- Hans Hagen Homes
- Hensel Phelps
- M.S. Mortenson Co.
- Kraus-Anderson
- BOR-SON Construction, Inc.
- Hoffman Corporation
- Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.
- Weis Builders
- Encore Construction
- Kraemer Brothers, LLC
- AZCO
- Pulte Homes
- Lunda Construction
- Hyatt Hotels
- Cherne Contracting Corp.
- Marshall Erdmann
- Hines
- Hanscomb, Faithful & Gould
- Ryan Companies U.S. Inc.
- St. Paul Travelers
- Western Summit Constructors
- Pepper Construction
- M.A. Mortenson Co.
Membership in the Student Construction Association (SCA) will help prepare you to compete with others looking for jobs in the construction industry. Employers look for membership in the SCA because it shows a commitment to the construction industry.
Employers look for people with the ability to solve problems. This is what the upper-level courses will teach you. Classes that prepare you to understand the construction process include structural systems, writing, environmental systems, estimating, construction safety, organizational leadership, project scheduling and cost control, human resource management, and management of construction.
The Student Construction Association sponsors local projects that provide you with experience in constructing garages and home additions, as well as small projects such as installing windows, siding, and insulation.
Sigma Lambda Chi is the international honor society for construction. The fundamental purpose of Sigma Lambda Chi is to provide recognition to outstanding students in construction curricula. Sigma Lambda Chi is the society that offers students the opportunity to be recognized locally and internationally for their academic accomplishments as a construction major.
This chapter includes twenty - eight current members. The chapter advisors are Tim Becker and Jim Bunkelman. Current SLC Board Members are Eric Fabich (President), Neil Wieser (Vice President), Garrett Rasmussen (Secretary), Damion Blechinger (Treasurer), Kyle Zagel (Public Relations).
UW-Stout's Bachelor of Science degree in Construction program is a member of the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) a professional association of construction educators and industry practitioners working together for the development and advancement of construction education. ASC promotes the sharing of ideas and knowledge and inspires, guides and promotes excellence in curricula, teaching, research and service. The ASC is made up of 8 regions; 7 regions from the United States and Canada and one European region.
Associated Schools of Construction
PO Box 1821
Fort Collins, CO 80522-1821
970.818.1041
www.ascweb.org
Student Competitions
Students in the Bachelor of Science degree in Construction program are involved through competitions in the following organizations:
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
The UW Stout Construction Industry Advisory Committee consists of 49 members that consist of corporate, education, association, recent graduate, and individual/special corporate representation from construction or construction-related industries.
Companies on the Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CIAC)
AON Risk Services AZCO, Inc Bill Rascher Mechanical, Inc. Blackstone Asphalt of Wisconsin, LLC Blenker Companies, Inc. Borton Construction Carciofini Company Consolidated Construction Creative Homes Doran Construction ERDMAN Faithful & Gould Hensel Phelps Hoeft Builders Hoffman Construction Company Integrity Grading & Excavating, Inc. J.F. Ahern | J.H. Findorff and Sons, Inc. Kiewit Kirco Kraus-Anderson Construction Company Lampert Lumber Company Lunda Construction Company M.A. Mortenson Company Marathon Petroleum Company Market & Johnson McGough Construction Co., Inc. Michels Corporation Miron Construction Co. Inc. Moore Construction Services, LLC Murphy Construction Services Nova Fire Protection Parsons Corporation | PCL Construction Services Inc Pieper Electric Precision Infrastructure Red Cedar Steel Royal Construction Smart Safety Group Stevens Construction Corp. Sundt VJS Construction Services, Inc. Weis Builders Inc. VJS Construction Services, Inc. West Bend Mutual Insurance Western Specialty Contractors Wieser Brothers General Contractors, Inc. Xcel Energy Zurich |
Objectives & Purpose
The objectives and purposes of the Construction Program Industry Advisory Committee are to:
- Advance and support the highest quality faculty, educational facilities, and program for students enrolled in the Construction Program.
- Provide liaison between the Construction Industry and the Construction Program.
- Develop and implement innovative programs that will benefit the Construction Program and better serve the Construction Industry.
- Offer advice, counsel, and provide the vision for the Construction Program.
University of Wisconsin - Stout Construction Program Industry Advisory Committee Bylaws
Program Advisory Committee Members
| Mona | Afifi | Assistant Professor, Construction | UW-Stout |
| Royce | Aslbach | VP, Project Management | Miron Construction Co. Inc. |
| Mark | Bentfield | Building Systems Manager | PCL Construction Services Inc |
| Josh | Bernhard | Sr. Construction Risk Engineer | Zurich |
| Chris | Bever | Division Manager | Staab Construction Corporation |
| Cory | Bjerke | Project Manager | Pieper Electric |
| Jason | Blenker | Owner/President | Blenker Companies, Inc. |
| Jeremy | Budish | General Superintendent | Hensel Phelps Construction Company |
| Jim | Bunkelman | President/CEO | Royal Construction, Inc. |
| Alex | Charland | Senior Project Manager | Sundt Construction Inc. |
| Calvin | Chen | Associate Professor, Construction | UW-Stout |
| John | Dzissah | Department Chair, Operations and Management Department | UW-Stout |
| Eric | Fabich | Lead Preconstruction Coordinator | AZCO, Inc |
| Ken | Fermanich | Retired | |
| Daniel | Freedman | Dean, College of STEMM | UW-Stout |
| Dave | Galetka | Operations Director | Faithful & Gould |
| Al | Greco | Project Manager | Zenith Tech, Inc. |
| Logan | Griesmer | Project Manager | Integrity Grading & Excavating, Inc. |
| David | Hertel | Assistant Project Manager | McGough Construction Co., Inc. |
| Brian | Hovick | Project Coordinator | AZCO, Inc |
| Jason | Ivers | Project Manager | Hoffman Construction Company |
| Cody | Kaplanek | Director, Infrastructure Division | Precision Infrastructure |
| Andy | Karll | Senior Project Manager | ERDMAN |
| Thomas | Kennedy | Engineering Manager | Nova Fire Protection |
| Noah | Koch | Project Controls | Sundt |
| Jeremy | Kolbe | Vice President | Ironmark Building Company |
| Joe | Larson | Vice President | Lunda Construction Company |
| Ben | Lato | Senior Superintendent | Weis Builders, Inc. |
| Dave | Leisses | General Manager | J.F. Ahern |
| Travis | Loeffler | Risk and Safety Advisor | West Bend Mutual Insurance |
| Kevin | MacDonald | Assistant Professor | UW-Stout |
| Joe | Malchow | Project Executive | Miron Construction Co. Inc. |
| Tony | Marchiafava | Project Manager | Western Specialty Contractors |
| Matt | McGregor | Senior Project Manager | Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction Inc. |
| Mike | Moore | President | Moore Construction Services, LLC |
| Ben | Olkowski | Construction Coordinator | AZCO, Inc |
| Ben | Oswald | Manager , Project Controls | Michels Corporation |
| Dustin | Phillips | Project Manager | Kraus-Anderson Construction Company |
| Brian | Pinnow | Senior Project Manager | Wieser Brothers General Contractors, Inc. |
| Travis | Pisarek | Distribution Operations Manager | Xcel Energy |
| Seth | Plenge | Field Engineer | Hensel Phelps Construction Company |
| Bill | Rascher | President | Bill Rascher Mechanical, Inc. |
| Doug | Smith | Vice President of Construction | Creative Homes Inc. |
| Mitchell | Spencer | Professor Emeritus, Construction | UW-Stout |
| Matt | Stadelman | Senior Project Manager | J.H. Findorff and Sons, Inc. |
| Tyler | Swanson | Project Manager | Market & Johnson |
| Hans | Timper | Professor Emeritus, Construction | UW-Stout |
| Mark | Ver Voort | Northern Operations Manager | Boldt |
| Paul | Ver Voort | Project Director | Consolidated Construction |
| Kevin | Wilkinson | Program Director, Construction | UW-Stout |
| Dean | Wirtanen | Assistant Professor, Construction | UW-Stout |
| Alex | Wolf | Project Manager | Stevens Construction Corp |
| Joe | Zanotti | Project Manager | Briohn Building Corporation |
