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Civil Engineering Major

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is offered by the College of Engineering and prepares students for professional engineering careers in the design, construction and maintenance of the built environment. 

Civil engineers design bridges, buildings, canals, dams, roads, tunnels and industrial or municipal water treatment plants to physically support collective social needs. They create structural designs and infrastructure solutions that improve quality of life by making it possible for people to drink clean water, gather comfortably in public spaces and travel safely. 

Civil engineers can choose from numerous career paths and industries, such as construction engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, water-resource engineering and more. However, they must learn the basics of structural design and elements of construction, transportation and geotechnical engineering. The Civil Engineering undergraduate curriculum at Temple provides students with a solid engineering foundation and the ability to focus on their interests, as well as a course dedicated to navigating the engineering profession after graduation.

Time to Completion

At Temple, the 128-credit Civil Engineering major typically takes four years to complete, even if you choose to study in Rome for a semester. 

If you choose to take part in the co-op program, it may take up to five years to be awarded your degree. 

Concentrations

This degree program can be completed with or without a concentration. Your concentration options include

  • Environmental Engineering

    Further focus your Civil Engineering degree with an in-depth understanding of air, land and water issues, and sharpen the skills needed to design solutions and promote sustainability. Gain hybrid expertise in Civil and Environmental Engineering in your course work and lab experience.

    View Concentration Details

Co-ops

Cooperative education (co-op) is an optional program that can provide you with the opportunity to work professionally before graduation. Students apply the knowledge they have learned in the classroom to real-world problems in the field. A co-op will help you create valuable connections with industry professionals, build a strong résumé and have an enhanced perspective on your field.

Civil Engineering students working in a lab

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $24,096.00 per year
Out-of-state: $39,672.00 per year

Related Graduate Degrees

+1 Accelerated Programs

The College of Engineering also offers accelerated +1 Bachelor-Master programs. Qualifying students earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in one five-year course of study, instead of the usual six years. 

Civil Engineering undergraduate majors can earn a Master of Science in Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering in one year. Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate in this program are charged at the undergraduate rate. Learn more about the College of Engineering’s accelerated programs.

+1 Accelerated Degree Programs

The College of Engineering also offers accelerated +1 degree Bachelor-Master programs. Qualifying students earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in one five-year course of study, instead of the usual six years.

Engineering undergraduate majors can earn an MS in one year. Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate in this program are charged at the undergraduate rate. Learn more about the College of Engineering’s +1 accelerated degree programs.

Our Academic Advisors

Through advising workshops, career coaching, individual appointments and walk-in advising, support services are available to all undergraduate Engineering students. Such services range from academic mentoring, career development, choosing a major, degree planning, learning support and post-graduation planning.

All academic advisors are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., to answer questions regarding General Education (GenEd), college and major requirements, and university academic policies and procedures. 

Learn more about the Center for Academic Advising and Student Affairs.

Student Clubs & Organizations

Participating in one or more of the College of Engineering’s 15 student groups usually also means greater success at Temple. Further, you’ll find peer support and like-minded students, and have opportunities to affect positive change, either locally or around the world. Among other groups, students can join 

See the full list of Engineering clubs and organizations.

Student Competitions

Each year, Temple Engineering students compete rigorously in regional and national events that celebrate design, engineering and innovation, including 

  • the Formula SAE Collegiate Design Series, 
  • the NASA Robotic Mining Competition and 
  • the Student Design Competition.
Study Away Opportunities

Spend a semester in Rome and explore aqueducts, bridges and roads that are still standing 1,000 years after their construction. One of the big advantages of Temple Engineering’s study abroad program is that students take the same classes in Rome as they would on Main Campus: three Engineering classes and Italian I. 

Temple’s College of Engineering is one of the few schools able to offer coursework that keeps you up to speed with the demands of an engineering curriculum. Learn more about the Temple Rome Engineering study abroad program.

Accreditation

The Civil Engineering (B.S.) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. Learn more about our accreditation, program educational objectives and student outcomes.

Additional Program Information