Online Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering

If you dream of building skyscrapers that soar above the traffic, take a look at civil engineering. These professionals create the structures that keep the economy moving. Whether civil engineers create water systems underground or steel spans across rivers, their job is to make sure the structures are well-designed, safe for public use and built to last.

Earning bachelor's degrees in civil engineering

Civil engineers balance the needs of society with the unpredictable nature of the earth itself, and the curriculum provides the knowledge and skills to make that possible. Bachelor's degrees in civil engineering encompass courses in dynamics, engineering economics, environmental awareness, fluid mechanics, geophysics, statics, strength of materials and thermodynamics, as well as structural analysis and design.

A strong background in chemistry, physics, computer sciences, economics and mathematics can prove useful. General education classes like English and speech help build the communication skills needed for team projects. Since some coursework requires hands-on training, a hybrid approach to online bachelor's degrees in civil engineering is typical.

Civil engineering career options, outlook and salary

Engineers can specialize in a particular area of the field, such as bridges or water systems. Engineers might also move into supervisory positions, overseeing a construction site or managing the needs of an entire city. Related career paths include consulting, design, construction, research and teaching.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job growth of 19.4 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is about average. The median annual wage for a civil engineer was $77,560 in 2010. The BLS notes that civil engineers who sell their services publicly need to be licensed.

Building on your bachelor's degree

In civil engineering, you need a balance of hard and soft skills: In addition to problem-solving skills and interpersonal communication, familiarity with computers is also important. The Department of Labor's O*NET site notes that engineers use tools ranging from computer aided design software to hydraulic modeling programs to project management applications. Web-based studies offer one way to build skills for this increasingly high-tech profession.

Civil engineers who want to move into management might benefit from a master's degree or higher, as well as the experience that comes from years of related work. Online degrees in civil engineering can be the answer to earning a higher education while continuing to gain that valuable work experience.

If you dream of building skyscrapers that soar above the traffic, take a look at civil engineering. These professionals create the structures that keep the economy moving. Whether civil engineers create water systems underground or steel spans across rivers, their job is to make sure the structures are well-designed, safe for public use and built to last.

Earning bachelor's degrees in civil engineering

Civil engineers balance the needs of society with the unpredictable nature of the earth itself, and the curriculum provides the knowledge and skills to make that possible. Bachelor's degrees in civil engineering encompass courses in dynamics, engineering economics, environmental awareness, fluid mechanics, geophysics, statics, strength of materials and thermodynamics, as well as structural analysis and design.

A strong background in chemistry, physics, computer sciences, economics …