Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Illinois Institute of Technology

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management) at Illinois Institute of Technology is a 4-year, on-campus program that combines a broad civil engineering foundation with specialized preparation in construction planning, site operations, contracts, and project management. It suits students who want to design and manage infrastructure projects while developing technical, analytical, and professional skills across areas such as structures, transportation, geotechnical engineering, water resources, and construction management.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students begin with core engineering and mathematical foundations through CAE 100 – Introduction to Engineering Drawing and Design, CAE 101 – Introduction to AutoCAD Drawing and Design, and CAE 105 – Surveying, alongside MATH 151 – Calculus I and chemistry and physics courses. This year introduces students to engineering graphics, computer-aided design, surveying, and the quantitative skills required for later civil engineering study.

Year 2: Students develop stronger analytical and engineering mechanics skills through CAE 286 – Theory and Concept of Structural Mechanics, CAE 287 – Mechanics of Structural Materials, and CAE 302 – Fluid Mechanics, supported by MATH 251 – Multivariate and Vector Calculus and MATH 252 – Introduction to Differential Equations. CAE 312 – Engineering Systems Analysis further develops systematic approaches to engineering problem solving.

Year 3: The curriculum moves into major civil engineering systems through CAE 304 – Structural Analysis I, CAE 315 – Materials of Construction, CAE 323 – Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, and ENVE 401 – Introduction to Water Resources Engineering. Students also complete Interprofessional Projects (IPRO), providing an interdisciplinary component alongside their technical civil engineering studies.

Year 4: Students apply their knowledge through advanced courses including CAE 419 – Introduction to Transportation Engineering and Design, CAE 431 – Steel Structures II, CAE 432 – Concrete Structures II, and CAE 457 – Geotechnical Foundation Design. For the Construction Engineering and Management specialization, students select at least nine credit hours from CAE 471 – Construction Planning and Scheduling, CAE 472 – Construction Site Operation, CAE 473 – Construction Contract Administration, and EMGT 470 – Project Management, while completing CAE 495 – Capstone Senior Design.

Focus areas: Construction engineering and management, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, civil-environmental engineering.

Learning outcomes: Engineering analysis and design, structural and infrastructure analysis, surveying and computer-aided design, construction planning and scheduling, site operations, contract administration, project management, technical problem solving, professional engineering practice, and preparation for the Fundamentals of Engineering examination.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Illinois Tech also requires civil engineering students to register for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination during their senior year, supporting the program’s preparation for professional engineering practice.

Reputation (employability rankings): Illinois Institute of Technology is ranked #=620 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and QS reports a 92.8% employment rate within six months of graduation for Illinois Tech's 2021 graduating class.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management) at Illinois Institute of Technology combines civil engineering fundamentals with construction management through applied coursework, laboratory experiences, design projects, and exposure to professional construction practices. Students can develop practical skills through the university’s engineering facilities and construction-focused learning environments, while the program’s senior-level design work allows them to apply engineering and management concepts to realistic projects.

Students can gain practical experience through:

Construction Engineering and Management coursework: Students study construction-focused subjects within the civil engineering curriculum, connecting engineering analysis with construction planning, scheduling, cost, and project management.
Senior design experience: Advanced civil engineering coursework provides opportunities to apply technical knowledge to comprehensive engineering design problems, supporting the transition from classroom learning to professional practice.
Engineering laboratories: Civil and architectural engineering students have access to specialized laboratory environments for applying concepts in areas such as materials, structures, and construction.
Construction management applications: The curriculum incorporates construction engineering and management principles, giving students exposure to the planning and management processes used in construction projects.
Hands-on engineering projects: Illinois Tech's engineering education emphasizes project-based learning, allowing students to work collaboratively on engineering problems and develop practical problem-solving and design skills.
Professional experience: Students can pursue internships and co-op opportunities through Illinois Tech’s career resources, providing opportunities to gain industry experience before graduation.
Technology and digital tools: The program’s civil engineering and construction-management coursework supports the use of modern engineering and construction technologies relevant to design, analysis, planning, and project delivery.
Rice Campus / Mies Campus resources: Students have access to Illinois Tech’s engineering facilities and laboratories at the Mies Campus, supporting hands-on learning and applied engineering work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management) at Illinois Institute of Technology prepares graduates for careers combining civil engineering with construction planning, project delivery, and management, with documented pathways including construction engineer, construction manager, and structural engineer project manager. The program also provides a route into Illinois Tech’s accelerated M.Eng. in Construction Engineering and Management, allowing eligible students to continue into graduate-level study.

Typical career roles: Construction Engineer, Construction Manager, Structural Engineer, Project Manager.

Career development and employment opportunities include:

Career Services: Illinois Tech provides career coaching, industry-focused Career Pathways, résumé and cover-letter support, employer networking, career fairs, and Handshake, which connects students with internships, co-ops, jobs, and career events.
Internships and co-ops: Students can access structured internships and co-ops aligned with their majors; Illinois Tech reports that its experiential-learning system provides opportunities with employers and includes dedicated coaching and employer-relations support.
Industry connections: Illinois Tech's employer network includes organizations recruiting for civil and construction-related positions. Current university-posted opportunities include Skanska, Illinois Department of Transportation, Sevan Multi-Site Solutions, Langan, and Wight & Company, with roles spanning civil engineering, construction, site development, transportation, and structural engineering.
Construction-sector experience: A current Illinois Tech-posted Skanska Heavy Civil Infrastructure Internship specifically seeks students studying civil engineering or construction-related disciplines and offers exposure to engineering, field engineering, cost engineering, safety engineering, estimating, and equipment/maintenance.
Employment and salary information: Illinois Tech's 2025 First Destination reporting collected responses from 91% of graduates and reports that the vast majority of graduates obtained full-time employment or continued their education. Current Illinois Tech-posted civil engineering opportunities provide examples of market salaries, including $87,300–$116,780 annually for a Civil Engineer I position and $75,000–$85,000 for an entry-level highway engineering position; these are job-specific ranges, not a program-wide graduate salary.
Professional accreditation value: The B.S. in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. Illinois Tech states that its civil engineering educational objectives include professional licensure and progression toward leadership in consulting, industry, academia, and government.
Professional community: The Illinois Tech American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter provides professional-development events, conferences, networking with companies, and participation in civil engineering competitions such as Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge.
Graduation outcomes: Illinois Tech tracks undergraduate outcomes within six months of graduation through its annual First Destination survey, covering employment, graduate study, military service, and other post-graduation destinations.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can pursue Illinois Tech's M.Eng. in Construction Engineering and Management through the university's accelerated bachelor's/master's pathway. Eligible students can apply after completing at least 60 credit hours, must have at least one full-time semester of applicable undergraduate study remaining, and require a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA for the accelerated program.