Civil and Construction Engineering

Civil Engineering (B.S. in Engineering)

Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding career planning and designing structures or working in multiple industries? Civil engineering holds opportunities for rewarding careers in facilities, bridges, roads, dams, airports and more. Choosing Western Michigan University to earn your bachelor's degree is an important step in achieving your career goals. Western and the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering offer everything you will need, including an accelerated master's program.

Pride Points

100%

of civil and construction engineering graduates working full time are satisfied with their job

—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report
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$70K to $80K

median starting salary for recent College of Engineering and Applied Sciences graduates working full time

—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report
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100%

of civil and construction engineering graduates are working or continuing their education

—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report
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Pursue a bachelor's degree in civil engineering

If your goal is to use math, physics and design in your career, pursuing a degree in civil engineering from WMU is a great way to achieve this goal. You'll master the skills needed to design sturdy structures to improve the safety on roads and bridges and buildings. You could improve a building's stability during an earthquake or ensure a bridge can withstand wind and temperature changes.

As you broaden your technical knowledge, you'll experience real-world projects and hands-on learning using the latest industry technology to elevate your understanding. Your time at WMU culminates in a Senior Engineering Design project where you will be part of a team completing a project for industry.

If you are thinking about graduate school, you can save time and money with our accelerated master's program.

By graduation, you'll be ready to take on the evolving challenges in such industries as water resources and environment, transportation, construction, urban development and energy.

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What you'll learn

As a civil engineering major, you'll build a solid foundation in structural engineering, construction engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, and water resources engineering. From the start, your courses will emphasize design along with hands-on learning using some of  the latest industry technology. You will also develop the oral, graphic and written communication skills and learn to work as part of a multidisciplinary design team—skills you will put to use after graduation.
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Erin Pietruszka

My favorite academic experience about the civil engineering program has to be my senior design project. It is very enticing to see the process of real world projects. Being able to apply my knowledge from the past 5 years to an engineering project is so rewarding.
— Erin Pietruszka, B.S.E.’25

Where you'll be after graduation

At Western, you’ll graduate with the technical ability civil engineers need to take on challenges in facilities, bridges, roads, dams, airports and more. You’ll also build the professional skills you need to succeed. Recent graduates have roles including architectural engineer. bridge engineer, facilities engineer, city engineer, construction supervisors and more.

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Making the most of your learning experience

Professors and advisors will support your participation in real-world experiences that will set you apart when you launch your professional career. You'll make lifelong friends and apply your skills by joining student organizations such as American Society of Civil Engineers and Concrete Canoe Team or Institute of Transportation Engineers. Internships and co-ops will all boost the knowledge you build in your coursework. Your time at Western culminates in a Senior Engineering Design project, where you will team you up with peers and industry to apply your knowledge to a real world project.

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Nas Brooks Civil Engineering Major

Nas Brooks in mechanical engineering lab

What scholarships are available to civil engineering students?

A number of scholarships are available for students enrolled in the civil engineering program at Western. We encourage you to apply for all scholarships that match your interests, career goals and financial or academic needs.

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Frequently asked questions

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from WMU pursue careers in fields such as structural analysis, traffic design, architectural engineering and construction project coordination. They plan, design and oversee construction and maintenance of everything from roads and bridges, to airports and power plants. Graduates have job titles such as civil engineer, structural engineer and project coordinator.

Browse civil engineering coursework

Yes, in the mechanical engineering program you will learn through hands-on opportunities.

  • Professors incorporate hands-on learning into your coursework, including projects in academic labs.
  • WMU’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences has more than 25 student organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Concrete Canoe. These organizations allow you to compete and network with peers at other institutions while extending your learning.
  • Many students also complete internships or co-ops during their time in the program.
  • All students complete a Senior Engineering Design capstone project, where you work as a team to address real-world projects.

Yes, there are a number of scholarships available for students enrolled in the civil engineering program at Western. You may also be eligible for additional scholarships from WMU. We encourage you to apply for all scholarships that match your interests, career goals and financial or academic needs. 

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As a civil engineering student, you should enjoy solving problems using math and science and have three and a half years of college preparatory mathematics, including trigonometry, and two years of basic science, such as physics and chemistry.

At Western, you'll start with foundational engineering courses. Once you successfully complete these pre-engineering requirements, you’ll apply to the upper-level professional program where you’ll dive deeper into your specific major.

View admissions information for first-year students

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Yes, we welcome students who are interested in transferring to WMU from a community college or other college or university. View transfer information and set-up an appointment to meet with an advisor.

Yes, we offer an accelerated degree program that allows you to complete a master’s degree in civil engineering in just one additional year. Weave graduate courses (up to 9 credits) into your WMU undergraduate degree in civil engineering, and earn both your bachelor's and master's degrees. Learn more about accelerated master’s degrees at WMU and view the requirements for the accelerated master’s degree in civil engineering.

Many students in the civil engineering program participate in internships or co-ops during their time at WMU. Check with a faculty member or your academic advisor for more information.