Smart Cities Construction Management Master of Science Degree
Designed for students who want to become experts and thought leaders in the civil and construction industries, and contribute to the development of smart cities and urban infrastructure.
11%
Employment Growth in this Field
88K+
Annual Salary for these Jobs
#2
Best Construction Job: Construction Manager
Overview for Smart Cities Construction Management MS
Why Study Smart Cities Construction Management at RIT?
STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
Innovative Curriculum: Engage in cutting-edge courses that blend traditional construction management with modern technological advancements.
Flexible Learning Options: Attend classes entirely online, on-campus, or via a combination of both, and complete your degree with either a thesis or capstone project.
Career Readiness: Our curriculum is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in various roles within the smart cities and civil engineering sector, including construction management, project management, urban planning, infrastructure development, and more.
What is a “Smart City?”
A smart city is an urban area that uses advanced technologies and data-driven solutions to improve the quality of life for its residents. It involves the integration of various engineering systems, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and digital technologies to create a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient city.
Opportunities in Smart Cities Construction Management
Construction management jobs are projected to grow 11% by 2030, double the overall labor market growth.
Due to this rapid growth, a graduate degree in smart cities construction management (sometimes known as urban development) is an excellent fit for those interested in pursuing roles such as:
- Construction manager
- Building services engineer
- Construction engineer
- Project engineer
- Project manager
- Estimator
- Real estate developer
- Site manager
- Land developer
- Transportation engineer
- Transportation planner
- Civil engineer
- Municipal engineer
- Municipal manager
- Urban and regional planner
- Infrastructure asset manager
- Critical infrastructure data analyst
- Transportation and logistics analyst
RIT’s Smart Cities Construction Management Master’s Degree
The smart cities construction management MS is tailored for students with a BS in civil engineering and construction-related fields, as well as professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and leadership skills in developing next-generation smart cities and infrastructure systems. Designed for both domestic and international students, this program prepares graduates for leadership roles in construction management and smart city infrastructure. It also focuses on integrating emerging technologies in civil and transportation engineering, equipping students to apply these innovations to urban infrastructure development.
While a traditional construction management MS focuses on general construction management topics, the smart cities construction management (SCCM) degree provides you with two areas of concentration – built environment and transportation. The SCCM degree also exposes you to emerging technologies in construction management and transportation, equipping you with the necessary and in-demand skills to leverage technologies to address societal challenges and tackle climate change.
The rapidly evolving field of smart cities construction management highlights emerging technological advancements that set RIT’s MS degree apart from competitors, particularly through a strong emphasis on GIS, remote sensing and imaging, smart city design, and advanced data analytics as applied to transportation and urban infrastructure. Our program will prepare you to thrive in a rapidly advancing field by leveraging high-tech national and international growth opportunities, including the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which allocates $550 billion for transportation, clean water and wastewater, power grid, and cyberinfrastructure.
Students can expect to work on a range of research/industry projects led by the department faculty. These esteemed program faculty have been awarded several research grants from the National Science Foundation, Department of Labor, American Society for Engineering Education, and other research foundations. Faculty have access to multiple industry connections that can provide valuable resources and potential job leads to students.
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Don't Delay Your Ambitions Until the Fall
This program offers a spring start, which means you can jumpstart your graduate journey and begin your studies this January.
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Affordable Now. Valuable for Life.
Earn your master’s degree without the full price tag. With Master Up you can receive a 30% tuition scholarship for an RIT master’s degree.
Careers and Cooperative Education
Typical Job Titles
| Construction Manager | Building Services Engineer | Construction Engineer |
| Project Engineer | Project Manager | Estimator |
| Real Estate Developer | GIS/Remote Sensing Specialist | Smart Cities Consultant Or Policy Advisor |
| Smart City Administrator/Project Manager | Smart City Ethics Officer | Smart Transport Planner |
| Project Coordinator | City Planner | Urban Planner |
| Site Manager | Land Developer | Transportation Engineer |
| Transportation Planner | Civil Engineer | Municipal Engineer |
| Municipal Manager | Urban And Regional Planner | Infrastructure Asset Manager |
| Critical Infrastructure Data Analyst | Transportation And Logistics Analyst |
Cooperative Education
What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.
Cooperative education is optional but strongly encouraged for graduate students in the smart cities construction management MS degree.
Featured Work and Profiles
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Researcher receives grant to build a virtual reality learning environment focused on the construction industry
Yewande Abraham is working with peers from Texas A&M and Virginia Tech on developing a VR learning environment to introduce middle school students to careers in the construction industry.
Read More about Researcher receives grant to build a virtual reality learning environment focused on the construction industry -
Research team awarded grant from NIST to develop new standards-based educational modules
Lisa Greenwood, Jennifer Schneider New work includes topics in smart energy grid security, sustainability and infrastructure resiliency to climate change.
Read More about Research team awarded grant from NIST to develop new standards-based educational modules -
Professor Champions Workforce Training Revolution for Transportation Sector
Lu Sun Lu Sun will spearhead a $2 million workforce training initiative funded by the Department of Labor, uniting academia, corporations, and regional agencies to enhance the transportation sector and...
Read More about Professor Champions Workforce Training Revolution for Transportation Sector
Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Smart Cities Construction Management MS
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Note for online students
The frequency of required and elective course offerings in the online program will vary, semester by semester, and will not always match the information presented here. Online students are advised to seek guidance from the listed program contact when developing their individual program course schedule.
Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is available on-campus or online.
On Campus
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | Yes |
| Part-time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | No |
Online
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | No |
| Part-time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | No |
Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.
Application Details
To be considered for admission to the Smart Cities Construction Management MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete an online graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college in construction management, civil engineering, civil engineering technology, or a related program that includes at least 15 semester hours of college-level math and science. Applicants holding other bachelor's degrees with appropriate, related work experience will be considered for admission on an individual basis. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
- Satisfy prerequisite requirements and/or complete bridge courses prior to starting program coursework.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Entrance exam requirements: None
- Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, etc.), if required. Details are below.
English Language Test Scores
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.
Duolingo (DET): 120
IELTS: 6.5
LanguageCert Academic: 70
PTE Academic: 56
TOEFL: 79
International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers with significant hearing loss do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.
How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application
Cost and Financial Aid
An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.
A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree
Additional Information
Additional English Language Test Score Accepted
TOEFL, IELTS, or CET-4 is accepted. For CET-4, an overall score of 530 is required (Reading ≥ 180, Writing ≥ 160, Listening ≥190).
Bridge Courses
If academic and/or work preparation is needed before being admitted and beginning graduate studies, applicants are encouraged to develop a plan with the program chair. Preparatory course(s) may be completed at RIT, or with pre-approval may be completed at other universities. Each course must be completed with a grade of B or higher.
Using edX MicroMasters Credit
Upon successful completion of your RITx Project Management MicroMasters program certificate and acceptance to RIT, you need only complete eight courses (graduate project option) at RIT’s online or on campus program to earn an accelerated MS degree in Smart Cities Construction Management. Applicants interested in leveraging their edX MicroMasters for credit should send their edX MicroMasters program record to RIT using these instructions and we will add the credential to their application for review.
Online Degree Information
Courses are a blend of synchronous and asynchronous, depending on the preference of the instructor. Synchronous courses are offered in the evening, between 5-8 pm, ET. For students who are unable to attend courses during this time due to their work schedule and/or time zone, sessions will be recorded and shared by request and faculty will work with students to be sure material is not missed. Full-time students can take 3 or 4 courses each semester, allowing them to graduate in 1.5 years. Part-time students usually take two courses each semester and can graduate in 2.5 years. Students need to take 6 required courses and 2 to 4 professional electives depending on the exit strategy they choose. For specific details about the delivery format and learning experience, contact the Program Contact listed on this page. The program offers two exit strategies: capstone project or thesis. RIT does not offer student visas for online study.
Online Tuition Eligibility
The online Smart Cities Construction Management MS is a designated online degree program that is billed at a 43% discount from our on campus rate. View the current online tuition rate.
Online Study Restrictions for Some International Students
Certain countries are subject to comprehensive embargoes under US Export Controls, which prohibit virtually ALL exports, imports, and other transactions without a license or other US Government authorization. Learners from the Crimea region of the Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria may not register for RIT online courses. Nor may individuals on the United States Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the United States Commerce Department’s table of Deny Orders. By registering for RIT online courses, you represent and warrant that you are not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of any such country or on any such list.
