Online Master of Science in Construction Management program gives grad the tools to build a better future for himself and his company
When John Downing enrolled in Purdue University’s online Master of Science in Construction Management (MSCM), he wanted to build his leadership skills and expand his knowledge of construction management. He graduated with far more than he expected.
Weeks after completing the MSCM program, Downing tested for the International Facility Management Association (IFMA)’s Certified Facility Manager (CFM) certification. He aced it, thanks to what he learned during the program. For those in the facilities management arena, the CFM certification is considered the gold standard.
“With minimal study and prep for the exam, I passed it easily because so many of the courses I took in facilities management and construction management — like risk management and strategic planning — were within that program,” Downing said. “I felt very well prepared and qualified to take that exam.”
Learn more about Purdue’s online master’s in construction management
But when he started in 2024, Downing was not focused on the CFM. He was looking for an opportunity to improve his skills as a construction manager with CSI Support & Development Services, an organization that builds, owns and manages affordable housing for seniors.
Downing’s role is unique. It requires both construction management expertise — covered by his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University — and senior-level facilities management, which he realized he lacked.
“Many don’t get those experiences until much later on or never at all,” Downing said. “For me, being in this role within my company and on my career path, pursuing this experience through Purdue felt like the right fit to help advance my career.”
Downing enlisted in the Army National Guard during his freshman year, serving in the Corps of Engineers. A few years later, he joined CSI as an intern and accepted a full-time position after graduating from Eastern Michigan. The company had just received millions of dollars in government green grants to retrofit senior housing. His supervisor at that time was the only person on the team who had the expertise to manage the projects.
After several years working on remodeling projects with CSI, he completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan and returned to CSI for another two years.
Driven to broaden his experience in the construction industry, he left CSI to pursue new construction projects across residential, commercial, and senior living sectors.
“I felt I needed to grow,” said Downing (pictured left). “I needed experience in the GC (general contractor) world, not just on the owner side, focusing on building new ground-up construction. So, I left for six years and got a wealth of knowledge and experience I could never get if I stayed there the first time.”
“Leaving and coming back was the best thing for me and for them, considering what they eventually needed from my position. It was it was a win for all of us.”
But when he returned, Downing discovered not only had the company grown, so had the role he left.
“My boss needed somebody to help oversee the preservation of their existing buildings,” Downing said. “It was still pretty much just him for our largest region in Michigan. It was just a much, much larger role.”
To excel in his role, Downing realized he needed to deepen his knowledge and strengthen his leadership skills, which led him to return to school.
“I knew the master’s program gave you more of an insight into the overall bigger leadership experience for construction management,” Downing said. “For professionals looking to be more in that leadership role, it covers risk management, contracts, value engineering, strategic planning, things that you don’t get taught in construction management at the undergrad level.”
Purdue’s MSCM proved to be more thorough than he initially suspected, Downing said. In addition to addressing construction management, the program’s coursework included facilities management.
“That program covers more than what the title says,” Downing said. “Entering the program, I did not think there was going to be a facilities manager focus as well, but it covered more stuff than what I imagined it. It was a very, very great program for anybody who is in the construction management field, facilities management field or in that cross between like I kind of am.”
A resident of La Grange, Ky., Downing travels a few times a month to his job sites in Michigan. As a working professional and a father of two active boys, Griffin, 6, and Gavin, 4, the online modality made the choice easy.
“I was still able to finish Purdue’s program one semester faster than the degree plan projected,” he said. “I was lucky it’s flexible enough to where I was able to accomplish that. If I can do it, I’m sure a lot others can. It’s definitely a good program.”
Learn more about the online Master of Science in Construction Management at the program’s website.