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.

Applications Are Now Open!
Spring 2021 Applications
Extended - now due Oct. 31

Fall 2021: Oct. 1-April 30

Apply Now

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.

×

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.

Estimated CostTotal Estimated Cost
$44,992-$48,544
Completion TimeCompletion Time
As short as 2.5 Years
Course Format Course Format
Hybrid

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.

Request Info

What is 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.

This program is designed for students who have not earned a bachelor's degree. If you already have a bachelor's degree, we will not be able accept your application for this program.

Program Is Perfect For...

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 find gainful, fulfilling 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.

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 nine days to complete two instructional courses. Other than the two on-campus courses, 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.

Contact Us

What you can 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:

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

Learn More

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...

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.

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 B.S. in Civil Engineering are in a good position to launch a successful career. There have been nearly 375,000 jobs posted over the 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 B.S. 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
Job Postings
Last 12 months
373,223

Projected Growth
Projected Growth
Over 10 years
+10.6%

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


Source: BLS & Burning Glass Technologies, 2020

Request Info

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

When you earn your B.S. in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University, you’re earning a degree that means something. Through our connections, our research output, and the success of our graduates, this program has developed a reputation that carries weight in the professional world. According to U.S. News and World Report, San Diego State University is ranked as one of the top 15 best engineering schools in the state of California.

×

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

  • 76 Required Course Units
  • 3-6 Writing Proficiency Units (if applicable)
Courses Cost FALL
'20
SPRING
'21
XX 0000 COURSENAME $NUM 0/00-2/22 3/33-4/44
XX 0000 COURSENAME $NUM 0/00-2/22 3/33-4/44
XX 0000 COURSENAME $NUM 0/00-2/22 3/33-4/44
XX 0000 COURSENAME $NUM 0/00-2/22 3/33-4/44

Required Courses (76 Units)

Aerospace Engineering 280: Methods of Analysis (3)
Aerospace Engineer 340: Fluid Mechanics (3)
Communication 371: Intercultural Communication (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)
History 441: Unnatural Disasters: History of Current Environmental Problems (3)
Civil Engineering 100: Introduction to Civil Engineering (1)*
Civil Engineering 218: Surveying for Civil Engineering and Construction (3)* (completed on campus)
Civil Engineering 220: Civil and Environmental Engineering Computer Applications (3)*
Civil Engineering 225: Mechanics for Civil Engineers (3)*
Civil 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)
Civil Engineering 421: Reinforced Concrete Design (3)
Civil Engineering 444: Applied Hydraulics (3)
Civil Engineering 445: Applied Hydrology (3)
Civil Engineering 462: Geotechnical Engineering (3)
Civil Engineering 463: Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory (1) completed on campus
Civil Engineering 465: Foundation Engineering and Earth Retaining Structures (3)
Civil Engineering 481: Transportation Engineering (3)
Civil Engineering 482: Highway Engineering (3)
Civil Engineering 495: Capstone Design Project (3)

*This course can be transferred from community college

Writing Proficiency Requirements (3-6 Units)

RWS 305W: Writing in Various Settings (3 units)
RWS 280: Academic Reading & Writing (3 units)

RWS 280 — Academic Reading & Writing will be waived for the Fall 2020 cohort due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can take your WPA Test in the spring, but if you don’t score a 10 on your exam, you’d have to take both RWS 280 and RWS 305W. If you decide not to take the test, you’ll only be required to take RWS 305W. If you take the WPA Test and pass, you won’t be required to take any additional Writing Proficiency courses.

General Education Explorations Courses (9 Units)

Environmental ENG 320: Designing Solutions for Environmental Problems (3)
Communication 371: Intercultural Communication (3)
History 441: Unnatural Disasters: History of Current Environmental Problems (3)

Preparation for the Major (19 Units)

CIV E 100: Intro to Civil Engineering (1)
CIV E 218: Surveying (3) completed on campus
CIV E 220: Computer Applications in Civil Engineering (3)
CIV E 225: Civil Engineering Mechanics (3)
CIV E 240 (3 units)
Aerospace Engineering 280: Methods of Analysis (3)
Construction Engineering 101: Construction and Culture (3)

×

Admission Requirements

This program is designed for students who have not earned a bachelor's degree. If you already have a bachelor's degree, we will not be able accept your application for this program.

To be fully qualified for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Degree Completion Program, you must:

  • Have a minimum of 60 transferable semester (or 90 quarter) units by the semester prior to transfer, which include:
    • 36 Preparation Course Units completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better:
      • Civil Engineering 121, 160 (or Statistics 250)
      • Biology 100 or 101
      • Chemistry 202 (or 200)
      • Mathematics 150, 151, 252
      • Physics 195, 195L, 196
        These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC)
    • 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
  • Complete the American Institutions 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.
  • Satisfy the CSU mathematics and writing requirements
  • Passed the Writing Placement Assessment with a score of 10, or completed an approved upper division writing course with a grade of C (2.0) or better (to be completed in your first semester once admitted to the program)
  • Important Note for Potential Students — Part of our curriculum requires that you visit our San Diego campus for nine days to complete two of our hands-on instructional courses — CIV E 218 (Surveying) and CIV E 463 (Geotechnical Engineering Lab). Please be prepared to visit San Diego for nine days to complete these courses.

Application Instructions

To apply for our program, 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.

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 SDSU’s Financial Aid webpage. There, you'll be able to access to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

If you have any questions regarding the financial aid process, please call the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships on weekdays from 10 am–3 pm at (619) 594-6323.

Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid as soon as possible.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Online Degree Completion Program

  Unit Cost Program Unit Range* Cost
Tuition $531 76-82 $40,356-$43,542
Fees
Associated Students $19 76-82 $1,444-$1,558
Technology $21 76-82 $1,596-$1,722
Student Success $21 76-82 $1,596-$1,722
Total Estimated Cost $44,992-$48,544

* Everyone is unique, your admissions advisor will work with you to determine the right path that suits your needs.

 Back to Top >

Contact Information