Earn your BS in Civil Engineering online from San Diego State University. Our degree completion program will teach you to plan, execute, and analyze many different types of engineering projects. With a BS in Civil Engineering for SDSU, you can launch a career in civil engineering without putting your professional life on hold.

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Fall Start:  Oct. 1 - May 15

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Earn your B.S. in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University. This degree completion program will teach you to plan, execute, and analyze many different types of engineering projects. With a B.S. in Civil Engineering for SDSU, you can launch a career in civil engineering without putting your professional life on hold.

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About the Program

Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that designs, constructs, and maintains the physical and naturally built environment. Civil engineers work on a variety of projects, including the bridges, roads, canals, dams and buildings that serve our communities. Civil engineering takes place on all levels: in the public sector from municipal through to federal levels, and in the private sector from individual homeowners to international companies. In short, civil engineers play an important role in ensuring that our human environment is safe and functioning properly.

$46,768

Total Estimated Cost
Includes Fees

As short as 2.5 years

Completion Time

Hybrid

Course Format

Acquire the skills you need to enter this important field of work with SDSU’s Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Degree Completion Program. You’ll learn how to design and maintain the construction projects and civil infrastructure that shape our communities. You’ll receive comprehensive training in the planning and construction of complex, environmentally friendly systems that supply clean water to our cities, remove sewage, control floods, and perform other functions which are vital to our continued health and safety.

The coursework is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

What’s a Degree Completion Program?

This degree completion program is specifically designed for students who have started, but not finished, their four-year undergraduate degree. If you've completed 60 transferable units, satisfied all CSU requirements, and have a 2.7+ GPA, you can earn a valuable degree from San Diego State University that fits your busy schedule.

Is This Program Right for Me?

Students in the B.S. in Civil Engineering Program tend to be working professionals who’d like to launch a career at the crossroads of construction, engineering, and public safety. The coursework will prepare you for work in several different fields in the public and private sector.

Graduates can find gainful employment in a range of industries, including:

  • Construction
  • Engineering
  • Public utilities and transportation
  • Water resource management
  • Civil infrastructure
  • Research
  • Academia

Many graduates also choose to continue their formal studies on a full- or part-time basis. And with growing demand for housing, industrial spaces, and public transportation, especially those that are energy efficient, you can use your degree to start a career in a rapidly growing field.

Visit San Diego, Work in the Field

To help you gain vital hands-on engineering experience, and to provide you with an opportunity to connect with your classmates and instructors, you’ll visit San Diego State University’s beautiful campus for five days to complete one instructional course.

This five-day portion of your program studies is designed to help immerse you in the practice of civil engineering, since textbooks can only teach part of the work. Being out in the field with actual civil engineering tools and doing the work you are studying is the best way to absorb the knowledge and skills of your instructor and fellow classmates. The fact that your on-site portion is held in and around sunny San Diego, with its year-round mediterranean climate and mild temperatures, makes it just that much better.

The remainder of the degree completion program is held online, which makes earning your B.S. in Civil Engineering easier for busy working professionals.

Millions of Americans are unable to complete their degrees on time each year due to having full-time or part-time jobs, families to take care of, and other commitments. This B.S. in Civil Engineering Program removes those barriers, making it easier to earn your degree in civil engineering no matter what your schedule looks like. And best of all, you’ll graduate with the same degree as our on-campus students: a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University.

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What Can I Learn

SDSU’s B.S. in Civil Engineering Program is designed to help you build a solid foundation that you can use to launch a successful career in civil engineering.

Upon graduation, you’ll have the knowledge you need to:

  • Become a successful engineer in your specific field of work
  • Continually progress in your chosen career through formal and informal development
  • Contribute to your profession for the betterment of society and the environment

Through intensive online and in-person courses, you’ll learn how to identify, formulate, and solve a variety of complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics. You’ll learn how to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.

You’ll learn how to communicate complex engineering concepts to a range of audiences with clarity, and you’ll learn how to work on projects ethically and professionally by making informed judgements and understanding the impact of engineering projects in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts. You’ll also learn how to function effectively on a team in order to create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.

The courses you will be taking are taught by the expert faculty from SDSU’s Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering. Many of your instructors are leading researchers in their fields, producing studies and papers on some of the pressing engineering-related issues facing San Diego and the Southern California region. As a student you’re able to draw on their professional knowledge in every lesson, turning the classroom into a unique, research-driven academic community.

Career Outcomes

New job opportunities in civil engineering will result from growing demands in housing, industrial buildings, power generating plants, and more robust public transportation systems. We’re also likely to see an increase in environmentally-friendly construction projects over the next several years.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates holding a BS in Civil Engineering are in a good position to launch a successful career. There have been nearly 375,000 jobs posted over the last 12 months seeking qualified degree-holders with the same skills you’ll learn in an undergraduate civil engineering program, and those numbers are expected to grow by nearly 9% over the next decade. The average salary for someone with a BS in Civil Engineering is over $84,000 per year, compared to an average yearly salary of $64,044 for those with an Associate’s degree or less.

Labor Analysis
B.S. In Civil Engineering — Nationwide

Job Postings
373,223
Job Postings
Last 12 months

Projected Growth
+10.6%
Projected Growth
Over 10 years

Salary Range
$63,000-$102,000
Salary Range
Average


Source: BLS & Burning Glass Technologies, 2020

Why Should You Choose Us?

Connections

The SDSU Global Campus civil engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, an industry-leading accreditation body, which is valued highly by employers. We’re proud of our strong connections with local businesses, and we also work closely with national engineering organizations like the Associated General Contractors, the American Public Works Association, the Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society, and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Versatility

This innovative program is designed to prepare you for an engineering career in many different types of fields. Through Professional Elective Courses, you’ll learn how to apply the knowledge you’ve learned to different areas of civil engineering, including water-based projects, transportation projects, environmental initiatives, structural and geotechnical projects, and construction. No matter what field you’re interested in, this degree completion program will help you accomplish your professional goals.

Reputation

Through our connections, our research output, and the success of our graduates, the Civil Engineering program at SDSU has developed a reputation that carries weight in the professional world. According to U.S. News and World Report, San Diego State University is also ranked as one of the top 15 best engineering schools in the state of California.

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In order to earn a B.S. in Civil Engineering, you’ll need to complete the following:

  • 76 Required Course Units
    • 3 Writing Proficiency Units (if applicable)

Required Courses (76 Units)

Aerospace Engineering 280: Methods of Analysis (3)*
- Recommended Prerequisite: MATH 252
Aerospace Engineering 340: Fluid Mechanics (3)
Construction Engineering 101: Construction and Culture (3)
Construction Engineering 330: Principles of Engineering Economy (3)
Construction Engineering 401: Construction Planning and Scheduling (3)
Construction Engineering 480: Design of Temporary Structures (3)
Environmental Engineering 320 - Designing Solutions for Environmental Problems (3)
Environmental Engineering 355: Environmental Engineering (3)
- Prerequisite: CHEM 200 or 202
Civil Engineering 100: Introduction to Civil Engineering (1)*
Civil Engineering 218: Surveying for Civil Engineering and Construction (3)* (completed on campus)
- Prerequisite: CIV E 160
Civil Engineering 220: Civil and Environmental Engineering Computer Applications (3)*
- Students must have a personal computer with the system requirements necessary to run ArcGIS 10.7 (software will be provided). Software will not run on Macintosh operating systems..
Civil Engineering 225: Mechanics for Civil Engineers (3)*
Construction Engineering 240: Introduction to Construction Materials (3)
Civil Engineering 301: Introduction to Solid Mechanics (3)
Civil Engineering 302: Solid Mechanics Laboratory (1)
Civil Engineering 321: Structural Analysis I (3)
Civil Engineering 401: Civil Engineering and Society (1)
- Prerequisite: CIV E 160
Civil Engineering 421: Reinforced Concrete Design (3)
Civil Engineering 444: Applied Hydraulics (3)
Civil Engineering 462: Geotechnical Engineering (3)
Civil Engineering 463: Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory (1)
- Prerequisite: CHEM 200 or 202
Civil Engineering 465: Foundation Engineering and Earth Retaining Structures (3)
Civil Engineering 481: Transportation Engineering (3)
- Prerequisite: CIV E 160
Civil Engineering 495W: Capstone Design Project (3)
Civil Engineering 596: Introduction to Coastal Engineering (3)
Natural Sciences and Quantitative Reasoning (3)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (3)
Humanities (3)

*This course can be transferred from community college

Writing Proficiency Requirements (3 Units)

Civil Engineering 495W: Capstone Design Project (3)

To successfully complete the program and earn your degree, you’ll need to complete all required units of coursework. You'll need to complete any remaining lower division CSU and General Education requirements externally before graduation at SDSU (with the exception of approved bridge courses that are offered internally at SDSU Global Campus). Once admitted, please refer to your degree evaluation to determine if there are any remaining degree requirements listed in the SDSU General Catalog for your major, as well as requirements outlined in your degree evaluation. If you have any questions, your Admissions Advisor is here to help.

Click here for information about our drop policy.

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Learn More About Transferring to SDSU Global Campus

We host a series of application workshops and transfer information sessions throughout the year to answer any questions about finishing your degree.

Upcoming Workshops

Out-of-State Applicants
While we welcome out-of-state students, SDSU Global Campus currently cannot accept applications from students residing in some specific states. Please check back often, as this list of approved states does change. View the list of authorized states here.

Admission Requirements

Below is a list of general admission requirements for the B.S. in Civil Engineering degree completion program.

We understand that every student's academic journey is unique, and we encourage you to contact one of our Student Service Representatives to find out what you'll need to successfully apply to the program.

  • Have a minimum of 60 transferable semester (or 90 quarter) units by the end of the fall term prior to spring transfer and the end of the spring term prior to fall transfer, which includes:
    • 33-34 Preparation Course Units
      • 4 out of 10 preparation courses:
        • MATH 150 - Calculus I (4 units)
        • MATH 151 - Calculus II (4 units)
        • PHYS 195 - Principles of Physics (3 units)
        • PHYS 195L - Principles of Physics Laboratory (1 unit)
      • If students meet the criteria above, provisional admission can be granted with the contingency that the following courses should be completed before graduation at SDSU:
        • CIV E 121 - Computer Graphics for the Built Environment (3 units)
        • PHYS 196 - Principles of Physics (3 units)
        • BIOL 100 - General Biology or
        • BIOL 101 - World of Animals (3 units)
        • CIV E 160 - Statistical Methods for the Built Environment or STAT 250 (3 units)
        • CHEM 200 - General Chemistry (5 units) or
        • CHEM 202 - General Chemistry for Engineers ( 4 units)
        • MATH 252 - Calculus III (4 units)
    • A minimum of 30 Units of General Education Courses
    • The Golden Four Requirement, which includes:
      • Oral Communication — complete a basic public speaking course or other communication course with a grade of "C-" or higher in at least 3 semester (or 4 quarter) units
      • Written Communication — complete a freshman composition course that emphasizes essay writing or reading and writing concurrently with a grade of "C-" or higher in at least 3 semester (or 4 quarter) units
      • Critical Thinking — complete a mathematics course above the level of intermediate algebra with a grade of "C-" or higher in at least 3 semester (or 4 quarter) units
      • Mathematics — complete a mathematics course above the level of intermediate algebra with a grade of "C-" or higher in at least 3 semester (or 4 quarter) units. Mathematics 150, 151, and 252 will satisfy this requirement.
  • Have an overall 2.7+ college GPA
  • Important Note for Potential Students — Part of our curriculum requires that you visit our San Diego campus for five days to complete one hands-on instructional course, CIV E 218 (Surveying). Please be prepared to visit San Diego for five days to complete this course.

Graduation Requirements

  • Satisfy the CSU mathematics and writing requirements
  • Complete the American Institutions Graduation Requirement
    • The American Institutions requirement is designed to demonstrate that students have an understanding of American history, the United States Constitution, and California state and local government.

Application Instructions

If you meet the admissions requirements and wish to apply, please complete an application through Cal State Apply.

A $70 nonrefundable application fee is required of all applicants at the time of application.

Admission decisions are initially based on self-reported information provided via Cal State Apply. You must provide complete and accurate information on your application. Any misreporting will jeopardize an admission offer.

Please do not send your official transcripts unless you are offered admission.

Electronic transcripts are highly encouraged. Please ensure that you indicate this preference when making your request. If you are required to provide an email address to send the secure online document to SDSU, please use transcriptsforsdsu@sdsu.edu.

For more detailed admission requirements and other application information, please consult our Transfer Admissions Information.

Financial Aid

This program is approved for financial aid. To begin the financial aid process, visit the Financial Aid webpage. There, you'll be able to access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

We encourage you to apply for financial aid as soon as possible.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will my degree say it was earned online?

No, it won’t. Upon graduation, you’ll have earned the same degree as SDSU’s on-campus students — a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University.

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How is the program structured?

Our online civil engineering bachelor’s degree program is specifically designed for students who have started, but not finished, their four-year undergraduate degree. The coursework, which is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, will prepare you for work in several different fields in the public and private sectors.

Back to Top >

What is the program format?

This program is offered in a hybrid format, which means your classes will be completed both online and in person. To help you gain vital hands-on engineering experience, and to provide you with an opportunity to connect with your classmates and instructors, you’ll visit San Diego State University’s beautiful campus for five days to complete one instructional course.

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What other programs does SDSU Global Campus offer?

When you enroll in an academic program at SDSU Global Campus, you’re joining the San Diego State University community even if you’re not on campus. This means that you’ll have access to many of the same services, programs, cultural centers, clubs, and resources that SDSU’s on-campus students enjoy. Click here to learn more about our comprehensive student services.

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I’m interested. How do I get started?

Ready to take the next step? Click here to connect with the SDSU Global Campus Welcome Center.

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Want to Learn More?

Submit this web form and we’ll be in touch to answer all your questions and explain the next steps in the process. Or, you can reach a program recruiter by emailing recruiter.global@sdsu.edu or by calling (619) 594-7700.

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Courses

2023 Fall2024 Winter2024 Spring2024 Summer2024 Fall
CIV E 0100 Introduction to Civil Engineering
Introduction to diverse field of civil and environmental engineering to include structural, geotechnical, water resources, transportation, construction engineering and management, and environmental engineering. Legal, ethical, and international dimensions of the profession.
Course Date(s)

Register
CIV E 0220 Civil and Environmental Engineering Computer Applications
Graphical information systems (GIS), specialized civil engineering software, advanced problem solving.
Course Date(s)

Register
CIV E 0225 Mechanics for Civil Engineers
Applied forces and reactions of simple structures, beams, and large structures such as bridges, buildings, and dams. Static equilibrium. Not open to students with credit in Mechanical Engineering 200 [or Aerospace Engineering 200] or Mechanical Engineering 220 [or Aerospace Engineering 220].
Course Date(s)

Register
CIV E 0301 Introduction to Solid Mechanics
Mechanics of solid deformable bodies involving analytical methods for determining strength, stiffness, and stability of load-carrying members. Not open to students with credit in Mechanical Engineering 304.
Course Date(s)

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CIV E 0302 Solid Mechanics Laboratory
Laboratory studies in solid mechanics. Experimental stress analysis. Experimental confirmation of theory.
Course Date(s)

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CON E 0101 Construction and Culture
Cultural context of construction, emphasizing its centrality in evolution and expansion of built environments as expressions of ethical and historical value systems. Relationship between culture, geography, construction materials, and built expressions of cultural legacy. Interdependence of built environment and society.
Course Date(s)

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ENV E 0320 Designing Solutions for Environmental Problems
Human interaction with the land, water and air environment; environmental pollution; role of engineering in solving environmental problems.
Course Date(s)

Register