Civil Engineering Degrees and Programs

Civil engineering is one of the oldest construction disciplines. It dates back thousands of years ago and includes one of the profession's most impressive achievements: the Great Pyramid of Giza. The planning, design and teamwork that went into building that 454-foot-high wonder of the world is the same spirit that drives civil engineers today. Those best suited to work in engineering often love to take things apart and put them back together. Engineers are creative, pay close attention to detail, and ask plenty of questions. They work well with others, communicate effectively and can see a project through from concept to completion.

Civil engineering is one of the oldest construction disciplines. It dates back thousands of years ago and includes one of the profession's most impressive achievements: the Great Pyramid of Giza. The planning, design and teamwork that went into building that 454-foot-high wonder of the world is the same spirit that drives civil engineers today. Those best suited to work in engineering often love to take things apart and put them back together. Engineers are creative, pay close attention to detail, and ask plenty of questions. They work well with others, communicate effectively and can see a project through from concept to completion.

Build a career with a civil engineering program

A bachelor's degree in engineering is almost always required for an entry-level job as a civil engineer, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Civil engineering courses can focus on engineering specialties, the physical and life sciences, design courses and more. Those who have a degree in another field, such as the natural sciences or mathematics, could find themselves qualified for some civil engineering jobs.

Employment of civil engineers is expected to rise 24 percent from 2008 to 2018. Many of those new jobs will result from population growth and the need to repair and upgrade existing infrastructure. Most civil engineers are employed by architectural or engineering firms, or related service companies, with state and local governments also using their services.