Online Degrees in Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering Degrees

Civil engineering is concerned with the design of large structures and infrastructure, such as bridges, tunnels, roads, dams and sewage systems. Civil engineers are also involved in project management, as they often oversee the construction and maintenance of the structures they've designed.

You may begin a career in civil engineering by earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in engineering. You will usually spend the first two years of your college career studying general educational requirements such as those in the arts and sciences as well as math, science, and general engineering courses. Your final college years will consist of civil engineering courses, and give you a chance to focus on subspecialties such as  structural, environmental, construction and transportation engineering.

In order to offer your services to the public directly after you graduate, you will need to obtain state licensure in civil engineering. Obtaining licensure will involve working in the field for four years, usually under the guidance of a more experienced civil engineer, and then passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) or Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exams.
Earning a master's degree in civil engineering will allow you to further focus on an area of specialty such as geotechnical or water resource engineering. With such a qualification, you should have no shortage of well-paid high-level job opportunities open to you. A PhD in civil engineering will enable you to teach at the university level.