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Civil EngineeringMajor

Civil engineers specialize in engineering issues related to civil infrastructure development and environmental challenges. Our graduates pursue careers in industry, government, consulting, management, teaching, research and sales.

Overview

What is Civil Engineering at WVU like?

Description

Civil engineers oversee the design and construction of facilities for society's use. Working with problems that directly affect the health and economic vitality of people and communities, civil engineers contribute their expertise to such problems as:

  • waste disposal
  • environmental pollution
  • transportation systems
  • design
  • water resource development
  • design, construction and rehabilitation of constructed facilities

We provide programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. Faculty conduct novel and high-impact research in a number of areas, with several taking the discipline to new levels by incorporating biology and microbiology into their research. Our students incorporate up-and-coming sciences as well as other types of engineering courses into their plans of study.

Civil Engineering program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Fast Facts

What makes Civil Engineering at WVU unique?

Dual Major

This major offers the option to simultaneously complete a second bachelor's degree in:

Research and Academic Opportunities

  • Research opportunities throughout the academic year and summer.
  • Steel bridge and concrete canoe competitions.
  • Solar Decathlon and other programs available outside the major.

Early College Program

Get a head start (and save money) in our High School ACCESS program for high school students. Choose from online, on-campus or dual credit courses that fulfill requirements for general education or Civil Engineering. Online courses to consider for this major include:

  • ENGR 101: Engineering Problem-Solving 1
  • ENGR 102: Engineering Problem-Solving 2
  • ENGR 140: Engineering in History

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Nearly all of our graduates get jobs in the private or public sector or attend graduate school.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Civil Engineering major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Civil Engineering at WVU?

CE 332:
Introduction to Transportation Engineering

Integrated transportation systems from the standpoint of assembly, haul, and distribution means. Analysis of transport equipment and traveled way. Power requirements, speed, stopping, capacity, economics, and route location. Future technological developments and innovations. (3 hr. lec., 3 hr. lab.)

CE 347:
Introduction to Environmental Engineering

Introduction to physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of waters and wastewaters, and fundamental principles of water and wastewater treatment including hands-on laboratory exercises.

CE 351:
Introductory Soil Mechanics

Introduction to geotechnical engineering, fundamental soil properties, classification of soils, soil compaction, permeability, compressibility, and consolidation of soils, shear strength, lateral earth pressures.

CE 361:
Structural Analysis 1

Stability, determinacy, and equilibrium of structures; shear and bending moment diagrams of determinate and indeterminate beams and frames; analysis of trusses; displacement of planar structures by geometric and energy methods.

CE 414:
Construction Engineering

Introduce student to the role of the civil engineer in the construction process, including critical path analysis, productivity estimation, equipment capability and selection.

Capstone Projects

Before graduating, all undergraduates in this major complete an academic project (or "capstone") to demonstrate their research, communication and critical thinking skills.

Compilation of capstone project titles for CE 479 – Integrated Civil Engineering Design in recent years:

Cost and Aid

How much does Civil Engineering at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Early College Program

Get a head start (and save money) in our High School ACCESS program for high school students. Choose from online, on-campus or dual credit courses that fulfill requirements for general education or Civil Engineering. Online courses to consider for this major include:

  • ENGR 101: Engineering Problem-Solving 1
  • ENGR 102: Engineering Problem-Solving 2
  • ENGR 140: Engineering in History

Learn About Our HS ACCESS Early College Program

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Civil Engineering at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Civil Engineering major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Engineering Requirements:

  • ACT Math: 22
  • SAT Math: 540

Engineering Requirements for Test Optional Students:

  • GPA: 3.00

Requirements for Engineering Technology:

To be admitted to WVU's Engineering Technology major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2025-26 academic year.

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Civil Engineering at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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