Online Civil Engineering Technology Degrees by Program Level

Civil engineering degree programs are designed to advance a student's knowledge of civil engineering principles. These programs are rare at the bachelor's or doctoral levels, though several schools offer fully or partially online master's degree programs in this engineering discipline.

Online Master's Degree in Civil Engineering

Online master's degree programs in civil engineering typically require applicants to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering or complete specific coursework in math, physics and engineering. Often intended for practicing engineers who want to specialize in a specific field of civil engineering, such as constructional, environmental or transportation engineering, online master's programs teach concepts in computer-aided design, project scheduling, cost management and leadership.

Program Information and Requirements

Students can complete these degree programs in 2-3 years, and many civil engineering master's degree programs are available entirely online. Coursework often consists of downloadable multimedia presentations, streaming video or DVDs students can access from home. Students communicate with professors and other classmates using e-mail and online message boards. Course information and materials are available to students at any time, though a large portion of online discussions and tests require adherence to a schedule set by the instructor.
In addition to high-speed Internet access, students generally need to have audio capability to be able to hear lecutures and communicate during live class sessions. Some online coursework might require specific software, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or Real One Player, to view reading materials or watch pre-recorded video lectures.

List of Common Civil Engineering Courses

Depending on the chosen specialization, students can expect to take core civil engineering courses in addition to specific electives in a chosen concentration. Master's programs do not require general education coursework.

Foundation Engineering Course

This course provides students with fundamental knowledge of the function, design and principles of structural foundations. Topics include material strength analysis, excavation support systems, settlement evaluation and computer-aided design.

Concrete Structures Course

Course topics include design capacity, concrete building components, concrete material properties and steel reinforcement design. Upon completion of this course, students have an advanced understanding of concrete structure principles and should be able to adequately design a reinforced concrete structure.

Engineering Law Course

Students gain a fundamental knowledge of principles and laws of engineering practice. The course covers topics in liability, risk analysis and licensing. In addition, students develop problem-solving skills and the expertise to evaluate potential engineering hazards.

Career Information for Graduates

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 259,320 employed civil engineers nationwide as of May, 2009 (www.bls.gov). The BLS estimated that the employment rate of civil engineers was expected to increase 24% between 2008 and 2018. The average annual wage of a civil engineer was reported at $81,180 in May 2009 by the BLS. Those in oil, gas and pipeline transportation industries averaged over $107,000 during that time, according to BLS data.