Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Civil Engineering 2024
Civil engineering is the backbone of our society’s infrastructure, and today, you can become a part of this exciting field! Whether you’re looking to jumpstart your career or advance your skills, there are plenty of online bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering.
But here’s the catch – to become licensed in this field, you must ensure that your degree is ABET-accredited, with few exceptions. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! Check out our article below to learn more about this essential requirement. And that’s not all!
We also list the best online engineering programs to help you plan and achieve your career goals. So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in and discover the exciting world of civil engineering!
Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Civil Engineering 2024
Liberty University
- Annual Tuition: $11,700
- Locations: Lynchburg (VA)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
Liberty University is a large private nonprofit institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. The program requires 130 credit hours and takes 3.5 years to complete. It aims to prepare students for a career in civil engineering. The curriculum covers government regulations, water resources protection, and environmental hazards.
Online students at LU use Canvas to complete their coursework on a flexible schedule. LU offers a range of resources to support online students, including tutoring, academic advising, IT support, and a writing center. Admission to the program requires applying and submitting college or high school transcripts.
Old Dominion University
- Annual Tuition: $30,960
- Locations: Norfolk (VA)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
Old Dominion University (ODU) is a significant public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology. This program is designed for students interested in learning about engineering and technology and provides three areas of concentration: Construction Management, Structural Design, and Site Development.
The program requires 126 credit hours to complete, and some of the courses that students will take include Fluid Mechanics, Structural Analysis, and Engineering Economics.
At ODU, online students use Canvas to complete their coursework, allowing them to work at their own pace and on their own time. Additionally, ODU offers online services such as career advising, coaching, and technical support to help students succeed in their studies.
Students must submit an application, official high school or GED transcripts, and SAT/ACT scores to apply to the program.
University of North Dakota
- Annual Tuition: University of North Dakota
- Locations: Grand Forks (ND)
- Accreditation: HLC
Students interested in pursuing civil engineering can earn a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree online at the University of North Dakota (UND), an institution of public importance with a student body of medium size. The degree is worth 128 hours of credit and requires four to five years. Some core courses are Fluid Mechanics, Foundation Engineering and Statics.
UND online students take on their courses through Blackboard using a hybrid, synchronous learning style. Online student support includes tutoring, writing help, tech support, and an online library, to mention a few. The requirements for admission to UND include transcripts from high school or college and an average of 2.75 GPA.
Idaho State University
- Annual Tuition: $25,326
- Locations: Pocatello (ID)
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Idaho State University (ISU) is a medium-sized university that provides an online bachelor of science degree in Surveying and Geomatics Engineering Technology. The online degree consists of 130 to 133 credit hours. Students who enrol in the program first earn an associate’s diploma in Civil Engineering Technology (CET) before continuing their studies for the four-year degree. Specific courses comprise Route Survey and Design, Principles of GIS, and Public Works.
At ISU, online students take their courses synchronously through the platform for digital learning, Moodle. Online students can avail of career services, disability support counselling, tutoring, and counselling. The requirements for admission to ISU include achieving the minimum SAT, ACT, or ALEKS scores in addition to making an application.
List Of Accredited Online Civil Engineering Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty University | ||
| Old Dominion University | 6,609 | $30,960 |
| University of North Dakota | 2,118 | $15,037 |
| Idaho State University | 1,535 | $25,326 |
What Is a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering Degree?
The bachelor’s program in civil engineering seeks to equip students with the expertise and knowledge required to develop into civil engineers and create crucial infrastructure. Faculty members of the program offer classes in material science, physics, math, calculus, and structural mechanics to ensure that students know how to design secure structures, such as bridges, roads, dams and bridges. In light of online education’s increasing popularity and demand, some institutions offer bachelor’s degrees online via online learning platforms. Online students typically take synchronous classes that do not have live sessions. However, this is different for each school. Specific civil engineering programs require students to visit campus twice or more yearly for intense laboratory sessions. Students may also complete their lab work using home-based kits and virtual models.
Degree Requirements
Bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering offered online typically comprise 120-130 hours of coursework divided into primary and general education courses. These programs can be completed in four years if students follow a full-time schedule. Many students need longer than four years to finish their studies, and some colleges offer part-time degrees for students who must manage classes and other obligations. Some programs require the completion of an externship or internship for you to gain hands-on experience. You’ll be working in person at an office, which is deemed acceptable by your program administrators, regardless of whether all of your classes are offered online.
Civil Engineering Courses
Courses required for a major in civil engineering are focused on applying the knowledge of mathematics, physics, material mechanics, geology and many other disciplines to the design of the public infrastructure. Since civil engineers typically are employed by government agencies, many degrees offer courses on public policy and discussions on professional ethics and managing projects. We’ve provided a list of popular classes online below to give potential applicants a taste of a bachelor’s in civil engineering program.
Calculus for Engineers
This area of mathematics comprises the notions of limits, differential equations and derivatives. Engineering students use calculus to calculate the strain of the various structures they design and construct.
Fluid Mechanics
Faculty members discuss the flow of fluids (liquids, gas, and liquids) and the force that influences their movement. Students learn to calculate drag, flow, conserving rate for mass, the velocity of motion, and viscosity. Civil engineering students are exposed to the practical application of the theories of fluid mechanics in their discipline.
Physics for Engineers
Students study the nature of forces and their numerous applications in the civil infrastructure. They include kinetic energy, magnetic waves, electricity, and sound waves. In later units, the course might introduce concepts related to advanced engineering physics, including nanotechnology and lasers.
Structural Mechanics
In this online course, the professors will discuss structural engineering through the forces that connect structures and the different materials civil engineers may employ to construct. Students will test a range of physical loads to assess the strength of a system. The instructor may teach classes on the possibility of structural failure and ways to limit the physical strains that can cause collapse.
Apply To An Online Master’s in Civil Engineering
The typical college application timetable can last up to a year before the actual start of classes. Most applicants are admitted to college in November or February. They are enrolled for the fall semester.
The majority of colleges require applicants to provide the following information:
- High school transcripts or GED transcripts that show the minimum GPA is 2.0-2.5 (though minimums may differ)
- An endorsement letter from an educator
- A personal statement about the education and career goals
- Official Test (or scores from the SAT with minimums which vary according to school (note that some schools have removed the entrance test requirements)
FAQs About Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering Programs
Why Is Civil Engineering Important?
Civil engineers create and construct the everyday infrastructure that lets societies run smoothly. You’ve benefitted from their knowledge and hard work if you had the pleasure of walking down a street, across bridges, or taking a sip of water from taps.
Is Civil Engineering Hard?
Engineering programs in civil engineering include STEM degree programs, meaning that the most challenging issues involve sciences and math. It is possible to find this degree reasonably easy if you are proficient in these fields. Still, it is possible to need help with the latest concepts, technology tools or even soft skills like collaboration and critical thinking.
What Can You Do With a Civil Engineering Degree?
You can be a civil engineer by obtaining an undergraduate degree. However, you may also get a similar type of engineering job. This is contingent on how you can convince people interviewing you that your education and abilities match what they are searching for.
