A civil engineer typically makes a career out of designing and planning a range of structures, including buildings, tunnels, sewage systems, and bridges. Earning an online civil engineering degree is one way to get started in this field. Depending on the school you choose, you may find online associate's, bachelor's, master's and PhD programs in civil engineering. Typically, the requirements to earn an online civil engineering degree are similar to those required at most colleges. Acceptance criteria usually includes a high school diploma or its equivalent, completion of standardized entrance exams, school transcripts and a personal essay. Advanced degree programs typically require the completion of a bachelor's degree as well. Schools also may offer a variety of online program formats; some will allow you to study whenever you want while others may require you to attend real-time lectures that are delivered over the Internet.
Like most college programs, online civil engineering degree programs have criteria you’ll have to meet for acceptance. In most cases, you’ll need to earn a high school or equivalent diploma to gain admission to the undergraduate degree program of your choice, and a bachelor's degree is typically required for graduate-level studies. Often, online civil engineering degree programs require applicants to submit high school or college transcripts and the results of standardized test scores. Some may require essays or personal statements as well.
Once you’ve been accepted to an online civil engineering degree program, or even during the application process, you’ll need to decide which civil engineering degree program you want to pursue. An associate’s degree program typically requires a two-year commitment to study, which may be attractive if you need to start working as soon as possible. A bachelor’s degree program requires about four years of study, while a master’s degree program may require you to study for about two years after you earn a bachelor’s degree. If you decide you want to pursue a PhD, the most advanced degree available in civil engineering, you may need to commit three to five years to this program.
Online civil engineering degree programs may function in a couple of different ways. You may attend real-time lectures online, or you may be permitted to log in whenever you want. Some online degree programs will allow you to complete all of your work, including tests, online while others may require you to visit the school’s campus periodically. If you have a selection of online civil engineering degree programs from which to choose, you may do well to select the program that fits best with your schedule. If you are working and pursing a degree at the same time, for example, you may find it easiest to pursue a degree program that does not require you to visit the campus or attend real-time lectures.
