Program History

In 1984, the department was renamed the Department of Technology and moved into the School of Applied Arts and Technology, introducing a Bachelor of Science in Technology aimed at preparing professional managers for industry rather than teachers. This broad institutional foundation is where today's construction program eventually took root.

Source: Department of Engineering Technology, program history records

The 1998 to 2000 university catalog documents a defined Construction Technology curriculum within the Industrial Technology major, with coursework in construction materials, estimating, scheduling, and construction management related business courses. This is a direct academic predecessor of today's CSM curriculum.

Source: Southwest Texas State University, Undergraduate Catalog, 1998–2000 — https://gato-docs.its.txst.edu/jcr:c799dd3d-d044-4f99-a2b0-139d44cef0c3/1998-2000%20Catalog

The Construction Advisory Board (CAB) was created, bringing industry representatives together to guide the program's curriculum and direction. The program also began hosting twice yearly Construction Career Fairs connecting students with employers, drawing roughly 150 employers per fair by Fall 2022.

Source: CSM program historical records

Texas State formally established the Bachelor of Science in Construction Science and Management as its own major, launching the 30 semester hour Pre-Construction curriculum required before students could enter upper level CSM coursework. This is the point at which CSM became the name of the degree itself.

Source: Texas State Undergraduate Catalog, 2010–2012, Department of Engineering Technology — https://docs.gato.txst.edu/86105/Engineering-Technology.pdf

CSM earned its initial accreditation from the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), a five year term and the maximum allowed for an initial accreditation, becoming only the third accredited construction program in Texas and the 70th in the nation.

Source: CSM program historical records

Following an October 2017 ACCE site visit, CSM was reaccredited in Spring 2018 for a six year term, with three annual progress reports required to address reviewer feedback.

Source: CSM program historical records

The program added a dedicated Residential specialization with the hiring of Professor of Practice Will Holder, former president of TrendMaker Homes in Houston, who developed a residential capstone course and helped build out the business and finance side of the curriculum.

Source: CSM program historical records

Texas State enrolled its first Master of Science in Construction Management cohort, 15 students, offered both on campus and online, growing to 42 students within two years. The degree offers thesis and non-thesis tracks for working professionals and those bound for doctoral study.

Source: The Graduate College, Texas State University, “Construction Management (M.S.)” — https://www.gradcollege.txst.edu/programs/construction-management.html

Source: CSM program historical records

Building on the early success of the master's program, the department submitted a feasibility study in August 2022 exploring a Ph.D. in Construction Management, the first step toward what would become the program's doctoral degree.

Source: CSM program historical records

CSM successfully completed its second ACCE reaccreditation visit. Both student quality and industry support were cited by reviewers as program strengths. The next scheduled reaccreditation review is Spring 2031.

Source: CSM program historical records

The Doctor of Philosophy in Construction Management was approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and began enrolling students as a fully online, applied doctoral program covering research methods, leadership, risk management, emerging construction technology, and sustainability, and requiring a dissertation.

Source: Texas State University, “Strategic Plan for Research” (THECB report) — https://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/reports/data/strategic-plan-for-research-texas-state/

Source: The Graduate College, Texas State University, “Construction Management (Ph.D.)” — https://www.gradcollege.txst.edu/programs/construction-management-phd.html

Source: Texas State University Catalog, Ph.D. in Construction Management — https://mycatalog.txstate.edu/graduate/science-engineering/technology/construction-management-phd/

As part of a broader college level reorganization creating a new Ingram College of Engineering, the department is transitioning to become the Department of Civil Engineering and the Built Environment, continuing to house CSM, CIM, and the Construction Management graduate programs alongside Civil Engineering.

Source: Program planning records, 2026