Choosing the Right College After high school, you may choose from hundreds of institutions that offer accredited civil engineering or technology programs. ABET develops accreditation policies and criteria and conducts a comprehensive evaluation process to ensure the quality of accredited programs. Entrance into a civil engineering or technology program may be at the freshman level following high school, or at the junior level after completing an approved two-year junior college program. The programs offered by different schools vary in details and you should request a catalogue from each of the schools you may be interested in before applying for admission. You can choose a program that best fits your needs.
Most programs require at least four years of study for the civil engineering bachelor's degree.
Some offer a five-year program leading to a bachelor's degree after the fourth year, and a master's degree after the fifth. Many schools also offer a five-year cooperative study program in which you may alternate periods of engineering study with related employment. This way, you can earn a good part of your tuition costs and get valuable first-hand experience. Typically, your first three years in college provide you with a solid foundation in science, with introductory courses in all of the civil engineering technical areas. This gives you an overview of the field, and helps you select an area in which to specialize.