Civil Engineering: Requirements for Becoming a Civil Engineer
Civil engineers work for on construction, renovation and rebuilding projects. They often work alongside architects, technologists and other industry professionals. Engineers may alternate time between working in an office and visiting sites. Duties may range from reviewing government regulations and city ordinances to designing highways.
Educational Requirements for Civil Engineers
A bachelor's degree from an accredited program is the minimum requirement for most civil engineering jobs. Aspiring civil engineers may look to the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for a list of approved programs (www.abet.org). High school students may consider advanced courses in mathematics, such as calculus and trigonometry to prepare for college.
Core Courses
Aspiring civil engineers generally begin their college careers by enrolling in chemistry, physics and advanced mathematics courses. Some programs may include classes in computer-aided design (CAD) as part of the core requirements. Additionally, students may take courses in engineering statistics in order to develop their computational skills. Pre-major courses may also cover fundamental engineering principles and concepts.
Major Requirements
After completing core course requirements, civil engineering students delve into advanced topics, such as thermodynamics and structural analysis. Courses may include the completion of a design project, in which students assess structural integrity of materials. This may require the use of CAD programs to test their designs.
Most programs generally require students to complete laboratory courses in which they analyze substances ranging from soil to concrete. These courses help students identify basic properties of materials, as well as potential problems from using them.
Licensing Requirements
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), civil engineers who provide their services to the public must complete professional engineer (PE) state licensing requirements (www.bls.gov). Requirements vary by state, but generally include accruing four years of work experience and completing two exams administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (www.ncees.org).
Continuing Education
The BLS notes that most states have implemented mandatory continuing education requirements to maintain a license. Credit may be given for attending seminars, participating in workshops and completing online classes.
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5 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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School locations:
- Online Learning
- Ohio (2 campuses)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Bachelor
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- Bachelor in Construction
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- Bachelor in Construction Management
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Distance Learning Programs
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Non-Degree
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- AS in Engineering Technology
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applicants from Minnesota or Tennessee
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
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School locations:
- Nevada (1 campus)
Classroom-Based Programs
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Associate
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- Associate in Drafting Technology & Design
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Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Iowa (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Engineering
- Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- General Construction Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering Mechanics
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Systems Engineering
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School locations:
- Michigan (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate, Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Engineering
- Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering - Architectural
- Engineering Mechanics
- Engineering Physics
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- Geological Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Plastics Engineering
- Systems Engineering
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School locations:
- Rhode Island (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at New England Institute of Technology include:
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- Non-Degree: Coursework
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Construction Engineering Technologies, General
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering - Architectural
- Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
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School locations:
- Florida (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of South Florida include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Environmental Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
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School locations:
- Texas (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering - Architectural
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
