BS in Civil Engineering

The BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Cincinnati is strongly built around learning by doing, combining classroom study with laboratory work, design projects, research opportunities, and the university’s integrated co-op program. Civil engineering students can gain professional experience through five full-time co-op semesters while also accessing specialized facilities for structural testing, infrastructure materials, transportation, geotechnical engineering, and large-scale civil engineering research.

Students can develop practical skills through:

• Co-op experience: Civil Engineering is among the UC College of Engineering and Applied Science programs with mandatory co-op, involving 2–5 full-time co-op terms of at least 35 hours per week; CEAS reports that students typically complete five co-op semesters. Civil engineering co-op employers include the Ohio Department of Transportation, Kokosing Construction, Bayer Becker, Messer Construction, Walsh Construction, and The Kleingers Group.
• AutoCAD and Autodesk Civil 3D: UC highlights civil engineering co-op experience using AutoCAD and Autodesk Civil 3D for land-development design work, along with exposure to surveying, construction oversight, client meetings, and field-based assessments.
• High Bay Structural Laboratory: This teaching and research laboratory includes a 30 × 60 ft strong floor, 10-ton overhead crane, servo-controlled actuators, testing machines, sensors, and data-acquisition systems. The university specifically states that the facility is used for classroom demonstrations and group projects in Steel Design, Reinforced Concrete Design, and Prestressed Concrete Design.
• University of Cincinnati Large Scale Test Facility: Students and researchers can work around large-scale structural testing equipment, including a 30-ton overhead crane, computerized actuator controllers, data-acquisition systems, sensors, and hydraulic actuators. The facility can test full-scale bridge girders up to 108 feet long and buildings up to two stories.
• Civil Engineering research laboratories: The department lists dedicated facilities including the Construction Materials Lab, Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, High Bay Structural Lab, Large Scale Testing Facility, Advanced Research in Transportation Engineering Systems Laboratory, and Structural Bolts & Connections Lab.
• Infrastructure research: The University of Cincinnati Infrastructure Institute (UCII) works on nondestructive testing and evaluation of civil infrastructure, using tools such as modal testing, truckload testing, and field-calibrated finite-element modeling and conducting research at both laboratory and full-scale field sites.
• Smart infrastructure facilities: The Center for Smart, Sustainable, and Resilient Infrastructure provides infrastructure-material testing facilities, sensors for evaluating smart infrastructure, an autonomous Lexus RX450h vehicle, and a closed-course testing facility used for pavement-marking research.
• Industry-connected projects: CEAS connects students with more than 1,300 employers through its co-op and real-world learning network, giving civil engineering students opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in professional engineering, construction, transportation, and infrastructure environments.

 The BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Cincinnati prepares graduates for professional work across infrastructure, construction, transportation, structural, environmental, and related engineering fields, with the university’s co-op model allowing students to graduate with substantial paid workplace experience. Typical career roles include Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Transportation Engineer, and Construction Engineer:

• Career services and co-op support: The College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies supports students through employer connections, career fairs, professional development, job-search preparation, and co-op opportunities. UC reports that 9,614 students participated in co-op during 2025–26, with 1,798 employer partners involved.
• Employment and salary figures: UC reports that 98% of co-op students are employed or continuing their education after completing an undergraduate degree. For Civil Engineering, the university reports an average paid co-op wage of $21.27 per hour based on self-reported Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 data.
• Industry partnerships: UC’s employer network includes organizations such as Turner Construction, GE Aerospace, Boeing, Honda, Procter & Gamble, and Siemens, while civil engineering students have completed co-ops with firms including Michael Baker International and American Bridge Company.
• Professional accreditation: The BS in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs criteria. This provides an established quality framework for the engineering curriculum and supports preparation for professional engineering practice.
• Graduation outcomes: UC’s co-op model integrates paid professional experience into students’ academic journeys, and the university states that many students graduate with significant career-related experience, professional networks, and career plans. In 2025–26, UC co-op students collectively earned $99.5 million from paid work experiences.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Civil Engineering, graduates can continue into graduate-level engineering study, including master’s-level programs in civil engineering or related specializations, and can pursue advanced study aligned with areas such as structural, transportation, geotechnical, environmental, or construction engineering. The ABET-accredited undergraduate foundation can also support progression toward professional engineering practice and further qualifications, depending on applicable licensure requirements.