Riverside, Calif. (July 29, 2015) -- CBU's Bachelor of Science Construction Management (CM) program has achieved accreditation through the American Council of Construction Education (ACCE). ACCE is the leading accreditation body for CM programs in the nation.

"The ACCE accreditation adds tremendous benefit to the Southern California construction industry at large in the development and training of accredited future industry graduates," said Dr. Francois Jacobs, department chair and associate professor of CBU's CM program. 

This program is now one of four ACCE accredited CM programs in Southern California and one of only two Christian programs in the country, Jacobs noted 

"An advantage of CBU program is that students can graduate with this degree in four years or less compared to longer anticipated graduation time frames at other ACCE accredited CM programs in Southern California," Jacobs said.  

CBU's CM program offers students the opportunity to take up to 45% of their courses online which can help students achieve an expedited graduation date.  

Ryan Kahrs, a 2014 CM graduate, credits the "practical and hands-on experience" of the program with helping him secure a job locally. The internship he started with Tilden-Coil Constructors eventually turned into a full-time position after graduation.

"I'm learning that all the practical experience and knowledge that I gained during my time at CBU is coming in handy at my current job," said Kahrs. "With the addition of a lot of biblical principles this was a plus for the program."

Graduating students obtain several certificates as part of their degree requirements including LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), OSHA 30 Hour (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and DBIA Fundamental Certificate (Design Build Institute of America). The CM program also requires all students to do an internship totaling 200 hours before graduating.

The construction management program began in 2012 with eight students. The enrollment for the upcoming fall semester is projected to exceed 40, with an additional 10 students enrolled in a minor in CM, Jacobs said.

Jacobs believes the ACCE accreditation will attract more students to the program including students from CM related community college programs where they can transfer their associate degree credits into a bachelor degree in CM at CBU.