Civil Engineering (CE CA)

Click here for program requirements as listed in Penn State's Undergraduate Degree Programs Bulletin.

The Civil Engineering program at Penn State Harrisburg is designed to provide the basic undergraduate education required for private and public service in civil engineering, and/or continue formal education. Emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of civil engineering principles and design techniques. The program requirements allow for flexible scheduling, enabling students to focus on one of following concentration areas: construction, environmental, general, and structural. Study through these areas may lead to opportunities as structural designers for buildings and infrastructures, project engineers for construction projects, or representatives for owners or contractors. Employers include consulting firms, contractors, industry, and governments.

For the B.S. degree in Civil Engineering, a minimum of 130 credits is required.

Opportunities in Civil Engineering

Accreditation and Licensure

The College will seek accreditation of the Civil Engineering Program by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) at its earliest eligibility. ABET requires all new programs to have at least one graduate to be eligible for accreditation. The College anticipates that the Civil Engineering program will have its first graduate in May 2011. The accreditation process includes an on-campus visit and reporting procedure during the academic year following the first graduation. Therefore, the Civil Engineering program will be informed of its accreditation status in early Fall 2012. However, upon accreditation at that time, the program is accredited retroactively to its inception.

Civil Engineering graduates are encouraged to continue their professional development by taking the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination at the end of their senior year, a prerequisite for taking the Professional Engineering Examination.

Student Organizations

The School of Science, Engineering, and Technology encourages student involvement in American Society of Civil Engineers.

Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to the traditional types of financial aid offered by Penn State, outstanding undergraduate students may qualify for other available scholarships.

Job Titles

The following list provides examples of the opportunities available for graduates: Civil Engineer, Construction Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Facility Engineer, and Structural Designer.

Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts the demand for civil engineers to continue to grow by more than 15 percent annually.

Mission, Objectives, and Outcomes

Please click here for detailed information on the Civil Engineering’s Mission, Objectives, and Outcomes.

Selection of Major in Civil Engineering

Excellent guidance for students, parents, friends and others regarding civil engineering is available at the ASCE Website, as well as the CE Website.