Civil Engineering: Study Resource & Degree Program Information

General Information About Civil Engineering Degree Programs

In order to obtain a civil engineering job, you will be required to obtain a civil engineering degree. Students may get a certificate in civil engineering, an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree or a higher degree. Undergraduate degrees in civil engineering will give students a basic idea of how cities and surrounding areas are constructed and designed for the population. This will qualify the student for many entry-level civil engineering jobs as well as set the groundwork for more advanced positions in civil engineering.

Civil Engineering Degree Study Options

Students interested in a career in civil engineering can major in civil engineering during their undergraduate education. Typically, this will result in a Bachelor of Engineering or a Bachelor of Science in Engineering after approximately four years of study. Students will learn basic ideas in project management and design as well as supplementary courses in areas such as mathematics and physics. Each specific area of civil engineering will usually be touched upon briefly. If a student chooses to pursue a higher degree in civil engineering, he will take more courses focused on a specific civil engineering discipline.

Advanced Civil Engineering Degrees

While a Bachelor of Engineering or a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering may be sufficient for many civil engineering jobs, further education in a specific subset of civil engineering can improve a student’s career options and desirability as an employee. The natural progression from a bachelor's degree in civil engineering is a Master of Science in some area of civil engineering.

Master Of Science Degree In Civil Engineering

Students looking to continue their civil engineering education after graduating from college or university with a bachelor's degree can choose from a number of disciplines, including a Master of Science in Engineering or a Master of Engineering specializing in Construction Engineering and Management, Structural Engineering and Mechanics, Transportation Engineering or Sanitary Engineering.

Further Education In Civil Engineering

Once acquiring at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, most civil engineers will pursue professional certification. Students can take courses to prepare themselves for the certification exam if they so desire. Professional engineers have a wide range of engineering careers open to them even if they choose not to pursue a master's degree.

Choosing A Degree In Civil Engineering

High school students who are curious about how the structures and access ways that we use every day will love learning about civil engineering. Individuals interested in using their math and science skills in a productive way to help create a safer, more efficient and more desirable habitat for their fellow man should gravitate towards a civil engineering degree.

Career Opportunities In Civil Engineering

The career path a civil engineer will follow will depend heavily on his level of experience and the sub discipline of civil engineering he chooses to pursue. Construction engineers will naturally be coveted by construction companies, often in a management role, assessing the costs of approaching various projects in different ways. Environmental engineers will find themselves in green positions, helping with areas such as water purification and waste management. Hydraulic engineers will work with the flow, containment and transport of water, and structural engineers will obtain positions that focus on the design and structural analysis of buildings.

Earning Potential For Civil Engineering Careers

Salaries for civil engineers vary considerably according to specialization and experience, but the median income for civil engineers in general according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics is $68,600, with the highest paid civil engineers making over $100,000 a year.

Getting Your Civil Engineering Degree Online

Associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and certification courses in civil engineering are all available through online distance learning programs. These programs can be completed in a few years, and if the coursework is taken at an accredited online college or university, the degree can be used just as easily as an offline degree to qualify for many civil engineer positions. An online civil engineering program is also ideal for continuing education students who have had to put their education on hold in order to pursue other work or family obligations. Online programs allow students to do the work according to their own schedule, making the degree achievable for virtually anyone with the drive to succeed.

Getting Your Civil Engineering Degree Offline

Many students will choose to pursue their civil engineering degree at a traditional college or university. Students moving straight from high school to the world of civil engineering may naturally gravitate towards a brick-and-mortar institution with a top civil engineering program. Those who go on to a master's degree at a physical college or university should be sure to find the best program for the type of engineering that interests them. Students will generally be required to devote more time to a program from a traditional university, but many report that the experience is worth that commitment.