Civil engineer education and training is a minimum four-year process, but there are also plenty of opportunities for advanced and continuing education. Civil engineers need to have extensive skills in planning and building large structural projects, including roads, bridges and tunnels. People entering the field as an apprentice can start at a yearly salary of $45,000. Salaries up to $85,000 per year are not uncommon once training is complete.

A civil engineer education qualifies a person for many job opportunities, from working with state and local governments to consulting for private civil engineering firms. The pricing and costs of civil engineer education and training depend on how much training you want. Besides a four-year degree in civil engineering, other training options include:

1. Civil engineering classes for earning a master's degree.

2. Civil engineer training through industry organizations.

3. Civil engineering seminars and conference events for industry professionals.

Action Steps
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Choose civil engineering schools to start your education

A bachelor's degree from one of many civil engineering programs is the best way to start your career as a civil engineer. These programs include extensive training in the skills needed by civil engineers, both in the classroom and out in the field. A four-year degree program averages $6,500 for in-state tuition at a public school and $25,000 at a private school. Out of state residents can expect to pay 25% to 50% more per year at a public school.

I recommend: San Diego State University offers a civil engineering degree that focuses on balancing technology and the environment. Kansas State University offers courses for civil engineers that provide concentration options in construction, environment and structures. WorldWideLearn offers information on what you can do and the salary you can earn with a degree in civil engineering.

Further your civil engineering education and training with a master's degree

While you do not need a master's degree to work in civil engineering, it is often a boost to your resume. This shows employers and clients you have honed your building and planning skills. A master's program can usually be completed in two years and costs anywhere between $34,000 to $50,000.

I recommend: Norwich University offers a master's program in civil engineering that provides a blend of technical and management training to further your skills. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale offers a master's program in civil engineering that focuses on the environmental impact of construction and how to design structures that balance with nature. The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers additional information on training options for civil engineers.

Continue your civil engineering education through professional organizations

Professional organizations offer many opportunities for civil engineering professionals, including continuing education, networking and annual conferences on engineering topics. Professionals pay $50 to $200 per year for membership in one of these organizations. Most organizations that accept students offer them free membership.

I recommend: The American Society of Civil Engineers offers membership to students, graduates and fellows. The membership rates change based on the time spent in the industry as a professional. The American Segmental Bridge Institute offers professional engineers membership for $95 per year.

Civil engineer training begins with a quest for undergraduate education, but it doesn't end once a graduate starts work in the field. Today, opportunities abound for civil engineers to seek advanced academic degrees and professional certifications in specific areas. In fact, in order to maintain Professional Engineer status, civil engineers are required to complete professional development hours (PDHs) and continuing education units (CEUs) for license renewal.

Civil engineer education and training at the postsecondary level is just the first step in a lifetime of learning for civil engineers. They must then meet state-specific licensure requirements and maintain a state license and any specialty certifications with Continuing Education (CE) units of instruction, tallied annually. Sources of primary and continuing civil engineer education include:

1. Civil engineering schools at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels

2. Civil engineering classes that focus on professional development and continuing education credit

3. Civil engineering seminars and conferences hosted by professional engineering societies

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Earn a basic civil engineering education or advanced degree in college

Classroom training for civil engineer proficiencies is the required foundation for other types of hands-on learning in the field. Any civil engineer-in-training should thoroughly research colleges, and choose one that best suits their ultimate career goals. Engineering schools should, as a rule, have a student chapter affiliated with a national engineering society to help students start networking while they learn.

I recommend: Consider an engineering education and training from Texas Tech University, or choose from online degree options at College of Engineering at Villanova University or an associate's degree at Penn Foster College.

Choose courses for civil engineers that expand your knowledge base in a field of specialization

Most courses in civil engineering that are designed for working, professional engineers, offer more detailed and current information that what is available in the traditional college engineering classroom.

I recommend: Take civil engineering courses for professional development through Auburn University, or meet most of your engineering Continuing Education (CE) requirements with one-day onsite or online seminar options from PEPDH.com.

Attend professional civil engineering seminars and conferences to learn and network

Develop professional affiliations within your specialty to find civil engineering programs and seminars, both locally and internationally, at professional conferences. This type of learning will usually apply to your annual CE requirement, and can afford you limitless opportunities for professional growth, networking, and practice improvement in a fast-paced and ever-changing career field.

I recommend: Keep in touch with your professional network, maintain your certifications and learn about the latest civil engineering programs through the American Society of Civil Engineers. To brush up on engineering research and the latest advancements in civil engineering education and training, consider attending an event sponsored by the American Society for Engineering Education.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take advantage of a continuing civil engineer education through associations which fit your chosen specialty. Whether your primary interest lies in bridge building, highway design or earthquake-proof urban building projects, your individual professional organization can point you toward specialty CE courses in your field.

Civil engineering education and training allows one to have a part in designing infrastructure, such as the highways and water and sewer systems that service our communities. Civil engineers are involved in the planning and design of highways that allow individuals to arrive to their destinations safely. In addition, to designing highways, civil engineers specializing in transportation also ensure the safety of motorists by conducting studies to determine what types of road improvements are necessary to alleviate congestion. For example, they may install traffic calming devices, such as traffic circles, stop signs or traffic lights and conduct bridge inspections to develop replacement and rehabilitation projects.

An individual possessing a civil engineer education may also find a career focusing on public water and sewer infrastructure, storm water management, water resources, and landfills. To see if a career in private investigation is for you, perform the following:

1. Look up the civil engineering education and training requirements to see if you have what it takes.

2. Learn about the civil engineer training and licensure requirements for employment.

3. Get a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

Action Steps
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Research civil engineering education and training requirements

Math and science constitute a large portion of the civil engineer education and training. For beginners, students must complete courses such as elementary surveying, calculus, chemistry, highway surveying and design, pavement design and management, construction project management and soil engineering.

I recommend: Education Portal and the Bureau of Labor Statistics provide further information on requirements for those interested in the civil engineering training.

Contact the NCEES for civil engineer training and licensure requirements

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) represents engineering licensing boards nationwide and serves as an excellent resource in providing information regarding the training and other requirements one must meet in order to be eligible for licensure.

I recommend: The National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES) provides contact information on state licensing boards in addition to information about the licensing requirements one needs to obtain civil engineer licensure.

Visit civil engineering schools that offer a Bachelor's degree program.

Contact colleges and universities that offer civil engineering programs that will result in a bachelor's degree. Schedule an appointment with a representative of the engineering department to discuss program requirements, civil engineering classes offered, and internships that may be available to students.

I recommend: The American Society of Civil Engineers and Construction WebLinks list colleges and universities located within the United States that offer four-year bachelor degree programs in civil engineering.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contact your local public works department and schedule an interview with a representative from their engineering division to gain further insight on civil engineer education and training. For beginners, you may ask what courses in civil engineering they recommend based on current trends in the field, recommended courses from other disciplines they find useful in their job duties and examples of projects they have worked on.

The field of civil engineering includes the design of bridges, roads and other infrastructure, construction of dams, operation of landfills and water and wastewater treatment plants. One’s civil engineering education does not end upon completion of the degree. Continued education and training such as completing certificate programs in Urban Water Resources Design is essential to remain informed on the latest in technology and materials related to the field. Courses in civil engineering related fields that can enhance one’s career and earning potential include courses in surveying engineering technology.

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Surveying engineering technology

Surveying engineering technology involves the development of technical reports, knowledge of field and office survey procedures and techniques and ability to perform land title surveys. Careers available to individuals holding a degree in surveying engineering technology include land surveying, field technician, mapping technologist, project surveyor and GPS surveyor.

I recommend: For information on surveying engineering technology, refer to the Alfred State University website.

Urban Water Resources Design Certificate

An Urban Water Resources Design Certificate entails the study of urban hydraulic and hydrologic systems and involves course work in open channel hydraulics, urban hydrology and storm water management, water resources planning management and watershed modeling.

I recommend: Refer to Villanova University’s College of Engineering website for information on earning a certificate in Urban Water Resources Design.

Civil engineering continuing education courses

Continuing education courses are an effective way for one to stay current on the field of civil engineering and may allow one to earn continuing education credits. Available asphalt-related continuing education courses include asphalt pavement preservation and rehabilitation and hot mix asphalt pavement construction.

I recommend: For information on civil engineering continuing education courses, refer to Auburn University’s College of Engineering.

Forensic engineering seminars

Forensic engineering involves the investigation of materials or structures that do not operate as designed and cause property damage, personal injury or loss of life. Forensic engineering investigations determine the cause of the failure such as faulty materials, materials past their life cycle or construction methods. Types of forensic engineering investigations include bridge and building collapses and industrial and vehicle accidents.

I recommend: Visit the PEPDH.com website for information on forensic engineering seminars.

Cold regions engineering

Cold weather is a factor civil engineers have to take into account when designing, constructing and maintaining projects. Cold weather affects pavement and other materials, roads, bridges and other infrastructure, such as water and sewer utilities.

I recommend: For information on cold regions engineering conferences, refer to the American Society of Civil Engineers website.

Professional engineer licensing

A civil engineer may earn professional licensing by meeting qualifications such as earning an engineering degree from an accredited college or university, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, meeting work experience requirements and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) examination.

I recommend: Refer to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying for more information on obtaining Professional Engineering licensure.