Before investing time in the pursuit of this career, it behooves aspiring civil engineers to have a solid grasp of the skills, knowledge, duties, specializations, and other important aspects of this field. Here is a brief, authoritative primer on what to know about civil engineering.
Must-Have Skills & Knowledge: The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge: Preparing the Future Civil Engineer, Third Edition is a widely-recognized, highly-respected document that defines the field of civil engineering, its methods, principles, and its core knowledge; employers and colleges adhere to its standards. According to the document, civil engineers use math, science, nature’s forces, and materials for the “progressive well-being of humanity.” They create, improve, and protect structures that support community living, industry, and transportation, while simultaneously striving to protect our environment.
Typical Duties: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), civil engineers analyze survey reports, plans, maps, and other data related to project design; manage the repair or construction, maintenance, and replacement of infrastructure and buildings; oversee or perform surveying to establish site layouts, building locations, and elevations to guide construction; use design software to plan hydraulic systems, structures, and transportation systems; prepare cost estimates for materials, labor, and equipment to determine economic feasibility; analyze the results of tests on building materials; and consider regulations, site selection, and other factors relevant to a project.
Personal Qualities: To successfully fulfill their duties, civil engineers must be able to make decisions; lead groups; organize their work and that of others; understand and apply mathematical and scientific principles; solve problems; and communicate effectively.
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Civil engineering is a broad field divided into several specializations with differing educational and certification options. Here are six of the civil engineering subfields with brief descriptions:
According to CareerOneStop (2024), civil engineers may assume such job titles as bridge or structure inspection leader; structural engineer; county engineer; city engineer; railroad design consultant; water engineer; design engineer; project administrator; chief engineering officer; or chief technical officer, among others.
CareerOneStop notes that while most civil engineers have bachelor’s degrees, employers also prefer candidates with master’s degrees. The BLS and the ASCE’s Body of Knowledge also recommend graduate degrees for promotion to senior positions.
Whatever their eventual path, students’ journeys begin with bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering or one of its specializations. Common options include a bachelor of science (BS) in engineering with a specialization in civil engineering (or defined civil engineering specialty); a BS in civil engineering (BSCE); or a specialized BS (e.g., a BS in environmental science). Typical admissions requirements to bachelor’s programs in engineering include:
Bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering establish a solid foundation of the mathematical and scientific principles used in the field of engineering, but they also impart other abilities in areas such as communication and information technology. Electives and specialized civil engineering coursework round out this base of core engineering and general education classes. Typical classes include:
Old Dominion University (ODU) offers an online bachelor of science in engineering technology (BSET) with a major in civil engineering technology where students will further be able to choose a concentration in structural design, site development, or construction management. Students will be able to access the curriculum online from any preferred location. Graduates of this program will be eligible to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
Made up of 120 to 126 credits, the program requires students to complete at least 30 credits at ODU. Sample some of the coursework: structural analysis; fluid mechanics; sustainable building practices; energy and the environment; engineering economics; and advanced technical analysis.
Graduates will be prepared for roles such as construction managers, transportation engineers, materials engineers, cartographers & photogrammetrists, civil engineering technicians, water resource specialists, and energy engineers.
Liberty University’s bachelor of science in a civil engineering program can be completed online but also requires two on-campus intensives. Students through these intensives will be provided with valuable hands-on training in topics such as fluid properties, surveying, and material properties as well as the chance to collaborate and meet with their professors and peers. Graduates will be prepared for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and will be ready for engineering roles in the industry, military, government, and many other industries.
Comprising 130 credits, the program includes courses such as engineering economy; mechanics of materials; geotechnical engineering; transportation engineering; concrete structure design; steel structure design; project & construction management; and structural analysis.
At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities such as construction managers, environmental engineers, geotechnical engineers, project managers, and transportation engineers.
The University of North Dakota offers a bachelor of science in a civil engineering program immersing students in unique research and design projects where they will be participating in project-based learning that will bring them new ideas for the designing, planning, and construction of civil infrastructure. Offering both on-campus as well as online options, the program prepares graduates to sit for the NCEES PE examination.
Consisting of 128 credits, the curriculum includes coursework in fluid mechanics; structural mechanics; transportation engineering; steel design; hydraulic engineering; foundation engineering; introduction to civil engineering; and environmental engineering.
Graduates of the program will be able to apply knowledge of science, engineering, and mathematics to the field of civil engineering, conduct experiments for proving or disproving engineering designs or theories, develop critical thinking skills, and gain expertise with computer software.
They will be able to explore job opportunities in areas such as construction management, geotechnical engineering, water resources engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, and environmental regulation.
UND also offers a combined BS and MS/MEng in civil engineering that can be completed in a relatively shorter period.
As noted, master’s degrees are quickly becoming the entry-level standard of civil engineering employment. Like bachelor’s degrees, civil engineering graduate paths include a master of science (MS) in civil engineering or an MS in a civil engineering specialty. Unlike bachelor’s degrees, however, these programs are often much more specialized, targeting advanced engineering concepts. Students can pursue on-campus or online degrees in civil engineering. Online programs can be especially appealing to working professionals advancing their education or satisfying continuing education requirements for credentialing.
Graduate civil engineering program admissions requirements vary, but typically include the following:
Please note that some civil engineering graduate programs require applicants to answer supplemental questions or sit for interviews. Also, like bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees in civil engineering frequently offer specialty tracks. Real examples from Stanford University include:
Civil engineering master’s programs comprise core and specialized engineering courses and electives. The curriculum typically includes some variation of the following classes:
To become a credentialed civil engineer, most state and national licensing boards call for bachelor’s (or master’s) degrees plus varying levels of professional experience. The ASCE advises new civil engineers to find internships, co-ops, and apprenticeships that reinforce the following skills and knowledge:
Most states require civil engineers to gain “Engineer in Training” (EIT) status before assuming internships, co-ops, apprenticeships, or other types of employment. The EIT designation confirms that recent graduates have mastered fundamental skills and principles through the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. The FE exam is available in the following disciplines:
The NCEES offers an alternate generalized exam called the FE-Other Disciplines. Readers can visit the Council online to review all options and eligibility requirements.
In addition to the EIT, a wide range of state, national, and board-issued credentialing is available for civil engineers.
According to the National Society of Professional Engineers, all states regulate professional civil engineering standards. For example, most states require civil engineers to obtain licenses before assuming formal titles such as general engineering contractor, structural engineer, and erosion specialist. The professional exam, licensing, and other civil engineering requirements vary by state and specialization. Students can learn more about geographical standards and requirements through their state’s board of licensing. There’s a complete list of these available from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
The Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) encourage all civil engineers to become licensed Professional Engineers (PEs). Most employers prefer (or require) candidates with PE licenses, which verify advanced knowledge and experience. Some tasks can only be completed by PEs. PEs usually enjoy better earnings, employment rates, and advancement potential even if not required.
PE Licensing Requirements
According to the NSPE, each state sets its unique PE eligibility criteria, but all require the following:
According to the NSPE, most states require PEs to maintain their licenses to meet certain continuing education standards. Many professional civil engineering organizations and the NSPE offer online continuing education courses, sometimes free. Graduate civil engineering courses also count.
Professional and board certifications distinguish civil engineers who are highly knowledgeable in certain areas of interest. Professional organizations oversee many specialized civil engineering credentials. Construction engineers, for instance, might pursue professional certification from the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) while environmental engineers seek those offered by the Association of Environmental Professionals. Some of the other professional organizations offering specialized civil engineering certifications include:
Another popular and advanced civil engineering certification is available through the ASCE. These professionals can become certified in the following specializations:
Eligible candidates must have master’s degrees, PE licenses, and at least eight years of post-licensure engineering experience. ASCE certifications are overseen by Civil Engineering Certification, Inc. and accredited by the Council of Engineering & Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB).
Finally, civil engineers are vital to public safety, industry, and progress, and their earnings and career prospects reflect this. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023), the average annual wage for civil engineers was $101,160 with the following percentiles:
United States (327,950 civil engineers employed)
Earnings vary substantially by education, advancement, certification, and experience, but usually grow with each. Geography can also impact one’s earnings.
Civil engineers are however less in demand; the BLS (2024) projected their employment opportunities would swell by 1 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is slower than the average growth anticipated across all U.S. occupations during that time (3 percent).
The BLS credits continued urbanization, population growth, and aging infrastructure for most of those gains, though an aging workforce certainly helps. An environmental push for renewable energy projects, such as wind farms and solar arrays, also plays a significant role in this trend. Above all, employment prospects are best for candidates with graduate degrees, certifications, and professional licensure and those acquainted with the ASCE’s Body of Knowledge.
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