The construction industry and engineering management fields have high demands on students’ professional skills and practical ability. The engineering management education, however, has been focusing more on classroom theories than industry professional skills or student hands-on practice. In contrast, engineering education in the United States traditionally emphasizes student practice and hands-on skills. We compared and analyzed different models, approaches and effects in developing students’ professional skills of engineering management between Chinese and American construction majors. General recommendations were made to reform the engineering management education in China.