Civil engineering (BSE)
Civil engineers design solutions in natural and urban environments.
Civil engineering is a broad field that applies engineering principles primarily to the public domain infrastructure, including transportation, water resources, buildings and other structures such as dams and bridges. Civil engineers plan, design and supervise the construction of facilities such as high-rise buildings, airports, roads, water treatment centers and sanitation plants. Civil engineers balance the needs of society with technical and economic feasibility. ASU engineers work to achieve safe and sustainable development through “green” engineering.
The civil engineering BSE degree program at Arizona State University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. Student enrollment and graduation data are available at engineering.asu.edu/enrollment.
Career opportunities for civil and environmental engineers
Graduates of the civil engineering, BSE program at ASU have many career opportunities that involve different activities, tools, situations, clients and venues. The completion of a civil engineering project requires the solution of technical problems in coordination with professionals from different disciplines. From conceptual design to forensic study of failed performance, civil engineers use mathematical, scientific and computational tools to develop and sustain modern communities. Civil engineering graduates go on to careers in both the public and private sectors, from small consulting companies to large corporations to government agencies.
What makes Civil engineering at ASU special?
Emphasis on sustainability
The civil engineering curriculum at ASU emphasizes sustainability as a revolutionary approach to engineering that focuses on the long lasting improvement of the human condition. Sustainable engineering transforms the traditional design and construction methods of complex systems by the application of life cycle and environmental assessment, risk and uncertainty analysis and other emerging techniques.
Concentrations
Undergraduate civil engineering majors have the option to complete a general civil engineering degree or to concentrate in sustainable engineering. Graduate civil engineering students are admitted to one of our research specialty areas.
Program demographics and professional preparation
There are 651 undergraduate students in the civil engineering program (2024-25). About 28% of those students are women.
The civil engineering curriculum prepares students for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and licensed Professional Engineer (PE) registration.
Faculty research areas
Our faculty is actively engaged in many local, national and international-level research efforts that greatly impact economic development and environmental quality. Our faculty specialties include environmental engineering, geotechnical/geoenvironmental engineering, hydrosystems engineering, structures, sustainable engineering and transportation/pavements. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to get involved in research while pursuing their degree through the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative.
Degree offered
Civil engineering, BSE
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
Location
Tempe
What is a major map?
A major map outlines a major’s critical requirements, elective and required courses, and optional course sequencing to help students stay on the right track to graduation.
Application requirements
ASU students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
Freshman
Transfer
International
Readmission
Admission requirements for many majors in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering are higher than University admission standards. Please review the Admissions Requirements link for a complete list of degree programs requiring higher admission standards.
Affording college
Scholarships
Find and apply for scholarships at ASU
Be sure to check out Fulton Schools’ scholarships available to both new and continuing students
Financial Aid
ASU has many financial aid options. Almost everyone, regardless of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid. In fact, more than 70 percent of all ASU students receive some form of financial assistance every year.
Our alumni
When Joy Marsalla was nearing high school graduation, she had little idea about what major to sign up for in college. She took a look at what she liked to do—math and science, but also an affinity for water from fond memories of family camping trips that were often near lakes and rivers. She combined the two and recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering. Read Joy’s story