Civil Engineer Education and Training

Take your career to the next level with civil engineering training
By R.N. Dolgener, Special Education Teacher 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

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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.

• 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.