Studying and getting a degree in Civil engineering doesn’t have to take that long again. You can obtain a two-year or an associate civil engineering degree, even online, and still be gainfully employed. Check out this writing to know all about it.
For clarity, note that a two-year degree is referred to as an associate degree and can be an associate of arts (AA) or an associate of science (AS).
This differs from a bachelor’s degree, that requires 4 years of courses. Students can receive associate degrees from the community, technical and junior colleges.
While more advanced engineering jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree, engineering technicians can expect some of the best-paid jobs that can be achieved with an associate’s degree, which typically takes two years to complete.
An Associate Degree in Civil Engineering requires a two-year course, and some students continue their studies to get a bachelor’s degree in the discipline.
For those planning to enter the world of work, an associate degree in civil engineering can open the door to challenging career opportunities.
Associate Degree in Civil Engineering
An associate degree in civil engineering includes surveying, mathematics, mapping, physics, engineering, hydraulics, and mechanics. The two-year study program trains students to use current hardware, software, and instrumentation in civil engineering.
Associated courses include materials, building structures, natural sciences, and environmental studies. Students must complete courses in English, technical writing, and public speaking to prepare for a career in civil engineering.
An associate degree can be applied to a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, but some students can start a lucrative career after completing a two-year degree.
What Can I do with a Two-Year Degree in Civil Engineering?
An associate degree in civil engineering prepares students for a career as a technician working under the supervision of a civil engineer. Technicians check construction plans and work with superiors at project locations. Evaluate work and document project information and activities.
Engineering technicians perform many tasks as civil engineers, but the position does not require a state license to work on site.
You can have your graduate degree in Civil Engineering in any of the best schools in the World. Check out the 17 Best Graduate Civil Engineering Schools in the World.
What Types of Civil Engineering Associate Degrees are there?
Associated courses in civil engineering can be divided into Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS). The Associate of Science is aimed at students who want to move to a four-year university to complete a BS in civil engineering.
These programs typically require 60 credit hours, divided into general education and civil engineering courses.
The Associate of Applied Science is a professionally-oriented course of study for people seeking entry-level civil engineering or related roles, including surveying engineers, construction engineers, or CAD operators.
Like the AS, these programs typically take between 60 and 65 credit hours to complete.
Online Associate in Civil Engineering
Earning your civil engineering degree online offers a variety of advantages. Online programs often allow students to watch lectures and complete assignments on their schedule, making reconciling your studies with full-time employment or family responsibilities easier.
Distance learning also gives students more school options than their local community, making finding a program tailored to your needs easier.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing an online associate in civil engineering.
Accessibility
With asynchronous programs, you can learn anytime and from anywhere with an internet connection. This convenience appeals to students who balance school with work and family commitments.
Some synchronous online programs may require students to log into a virtual classroom at set times each week.
Flexibility
Many programs offer multiple start dates throughout the year so that you can sign up for courses during quieter hours or when you can access childcare services.
In online programs at their own pace, students can continue their coursework as soon as they demonstrate mastery of the material.
School Options
Online learning enables students to enroll in civil engineering programs anywhere in the country. Distance learning gives you access to cheaper options and more specialized courses.
Diversity
Since online programs attract applicants worldwide, they tend to attract a diverse student population. This diversity introduces you to new classroom ideas and approaches and helps you build a broader professional network.
Technology
Distance learning programs introduce students to learning technologies that can benefit them throughout their careers. For example, suppose you are working on a transnational infrastructure project. In that case, you can use online collaboration tools you came across during your studies, such as: Wikis and common design areas, to coordinate the work of engineers from multiple countries.
How much Can I earn with a Two-Year Civil Engineering Degree?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the lack of a state civil engineering license prevents technicians from approving building designs or overseeing a construction project.
According to the United States Department of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for civil engineers in 2011 was $46,900.
Accreditation for Associate Degree in Civil Engineering
Students seeking an online civil engineering degree should select ABET-accredited programs. Programs accredited by ABET (Accreditation Body for Engineering and Technology) have curricula that meet industry standards and are often respected by potential employers and graduate programs.
ABET is the recognized standard for outstanding technical performance and is highly valued by government and private bodies.
ABET accreditation also allows graduates to secure specific jobs that require the curriculum and administrative confirmation, including government jobs and other positions based on formal civil engineering training.
What are the requirements for an Associate Degree in Civil Engineering?
Civil engineering associate programs consist of 60 credits and typically take two years to complete. Part-time students may need up to four years to graduate.
In addition to general education courses in the social sciences and humanities, associate programs include 30 credits in engineering courses covering topics such as advanced mathematics, engineering mechanics, and unique design software.
You usually need a high school diploma or a GED to earn an associate degree. Admission standards vary by university, but most programs require applicants to have a GPA of at least 2.0 during high school.
Community colleges do not usually require prospective students to have work experience or take entrance exams such as SAT or ACT.
With a two-year degree as a civil engineer, you can take on entry-level and support positions, e.g., B. as a civil engineer, draftsman, surveying, and map technician.
However, to become a full civil engineer, you must have a bachelor’s degree. Many community colleges work with public universities in their state, making it easy to transfer credits from an associate program to a four-year degree.
How long does it take to get an Associate Degree in Civil Engineering?
Associate degrees in civil engineering typically take two to four years, and applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent. Due to the laboratory component of the program, it is rare to find degree programs that are entirely online.
Most civil engineering associate programs are offered at community colleges or engineering colleges at 4-year universities. As good mathematical skills are required for coursework, students must pass an internship exam at some universities before enrolling in engineering courses.
Students not meeting the minimum requirements may need to take development or support courses. For other programs, only an introductory course in algebra may be required.
The associate program’s coursework is numerous and is divided into CAD courses (Computer Aided Drafting) and their applications, both in the classroom and on-site. The course topics examined include:
- surveying
- Cartography and topography
- Computer-aided drawing
- Soil and material testing
- Material statics
- Estimate
Best universities for Two-Year Civil Engineering Degree
Some of the known civil engineering colleges offer associate’s degrees. An associate’s degree in civil engineering prepares students to graduate from high school or to work in the industry as an engineering assistant, technician, or draftsman.
Community colleges typically have articulation agreements with four-year institutions in their region to make the transfer of coursework more seamless.
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
The University of North Dakota is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The University of North Dakota is the oldest public university in North Dakota and offers bachelor’s and master’s programs in art and science, education, law, and medicine. UND was founded in 1883 and promoted creativity, research, inclusiveness, and diversity.
AND offers an online civil engineering associate degree that includes 128 credits that are split between general education and critical requirements. As a project-based program, an online degree in civil engineering offers small class sizes and unique design options.
Core courses include general surveying, geology, graphic communications, hydrology, and structural mechanics. Students acquire technical knowledge and learn to apply practical engineering skills.
The courses use a mix of synchronous and asynchronous formats. The school offers all courses online, but learners must participate in a 1-2 week laboratory experience on the main AND campus.
Tuition: $20,047
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 53%
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
Old Dominion University prepares students for civil engineering for admission and careers immediately upon graduation. The school’s bachelor’s degree program is entirely online and requires students to earn at least 30 credits from Old Dominion.
To complete the degree, students need at least 120 credits and a concentration on construction management, structural planning, or site development.
The courses are offered in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. The tuition fees for foreign students are slightly higher than for domestic students.
Tuition: $6,330
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Graduation Rate: 55%
Ferris State University
A Civil Engineering Associate Degree from Ferris State University offers students tuition in soil and material testing, road technology, engineering, design, and construction processes.
An associate degree in civil engineering prepares college students for work in construction or helps meet the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
Those seeking an associate degree in civil engineering need a background in math and physics and knowledge of building materials, methods, and equipment.
The Ferris State University Civil Engineering Degree Program is an ACCE accredited construction management program.
Tuition: $12,949
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 45%
University of Idaho Moscow, ID
The University of Idaho civil engineering program, includes an associate’s degree with 60 credit points. Doctoral students can concentrate on specific areas of study, such as environmental and geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, traffic engineering, hydrology, and hydraulics.
The university has partnered with various community colleges in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to offer transfer routes for students with an associate’s degree in civil engineering or other two-year engineering degrees.
Tuition: $7,864 in-state, $25,500 out-of-state
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 58%
Cecil College, North East, MD
Cecil College offers a 65-credit civil engineering associate program with a curriculum that includes engineering design, statics, dynamics, materials mechanics, and thermodynamics courses.
The college has transfer agreements with civil engineering universities in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and several online institutions.
Tuition: $7,710 in-state, $9,210 out-of-state
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Graduation Rate: 11%
Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, CA
The Civil Engineering Associate program at Cuyamaca College requires 12 credits of general education courses and 58 credits of core courses, including engineering mechanics, materials, design, computer applications, and aircraft surveying.
Most of the courses offered by the college can be delivered at the University of California, at all California State University locations, and at other civil engineering schools in the country.
Tuition: $1,386 in-state, $7,196 out-of-state
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Graduation Rate: 33%
Lone Star College, The Woodlands, TX
An Associate of Science in Civil Engineering at Lone Star College is an academic transfer grade designed for students aiming for a Bachelor of Science degree at a four-year college/university.
The Lone Star College civil engineering associate program requires 60 credits. The course work includes technical graphics, composition and rhetoric, electrical circuits, and programming.
Students can transfer their associate credits to any public civil engineering college in Texas.
Tuition: $3,880 in-state, $5,200 out-of-state
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Graduation Rate: 23%
Conclusion
An associate degree or a two-year degree in civil engineering is a great way to prepare for the future. Completing an associate’s degree in civil engineering online is a good choice for busy students who need flexibility for school.
It allows students to learn while fulfilling their personal responsibilities.
References
- www.topuniversities.com › courses › guide
- www.collegechoice.net › rankings › best-civil-engineeri…
- www.affordablecollegesonline.org › degrees › civil-eng…
- study.com › associate’s_degree_program_in_civil_engi…
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