Career Preparation
Through our co-op program, you can complete professional work experience and still graduate in 4 years. The benefit: you will not only save educational costs, but also start your career earlier than most engineering graduates.
Undergraduate Major
Civil Engineering (BS)
Pursue a career that allows you to build the future.
Program Overview
Civil engineers use imagination, creativity, and technical knowledge to design, construct, and maintain the systems that keep our society functioning. Look almost anywhere and you will find the work of a civil engineer—roadways, buildings, clean water, environmental protection, railroads, airports, and much more.
Since 1862, Widener has taught civil engineering in a supportive environment that encourages analytical and creative thinking, with exposure to real-world practice.
A Widener civil engineering degree is your gateway to a career of building the next generation of the world's infrastructure.
The civil engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. See recent enrollment and graduation data.
Program Options
The Widener civil engineering program is designed to give you a broad, practical-oriented education that prepares you to work in all areas of the profession.
You will learn from the structural, transportation, geotechnical, water resources, and environmental engineering fields and also take specialized elective courses.
During your senior year, you will participate in a year-long project that simulates both the technical and business aspects of a professional engineering project. So when you graduate, you'll already know how real engineering work is done.
For educational objectives, student outcomes, and a curriculum sequence, view our Loading....
To add a competitive edge to your career, the School of Engineering offers an optional cooperative education program where you can complete up to 1 year of professional work experience and still graduate within 4 years. Co-op at Widener allows you to start your professional career 1 year earlier than a typical 5-year co-op program and earn an additional year of salary. You may also have the opportunity to receive full-time employment from your co-op or internship employers upon graduation.
As a co-op student, you'll spend your first year in the classroom, but in your sophomore year you'll spend 4 months working in the industry. Your third year can contain up to 8 months of work experience and you'll finish your final year on campus.
Learn more about our co-op programs.
You can earn both a bachelor of science and a master of science in engineering degree in just 4-5 years through the accelerated BS/MSE program. This is a great option to take advantage of if you are considering a master's degree.
You can apply for admission to the program any time after your second semester for freshmen or after the first semester for transfer students.
View the Loading... for more information.
Minors
You can earn a minor while studying civil engineering. Options include engineering (such as environmental or mechanical), mathematics, science, business or many other areas in which you may have an interest.
Concentrations
Customize your civil engineering degree by choosing elective courses to specialize in environmental, construction, or structural engineering. View our Loading... for more information.
If you're interested in ways to protect and restore the quality of our air, water, and land resources—and want to learn more about the environmental issues and problems that are vitally important to the sustainability of our society’s infrastructure—a minor in environmental engineering may be good option for you.
Visit our Loading... to see the required courses, and contact the Civil Engineering Department with any additional questions.
Admissions Opportunities
Need a new laptop to start college? The School of Engineering awards laptops to high school and transfer students who meet the following requirements:
- High school graduate with a combined math and critical reading SAT score of 1310 or higher or ACT composite score of 28 or higher with a GPA of 3.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). Or, a college transfer with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better (on a 4.0 scale) and have completed 1 calculus and 1 science course approved for engineering.
- Enroll in one of Widener’s engineering majors—biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, or robotics—and remain enrolled full-time for 4 semesters while pursuing a designated engineering curriculum.
Students who meet the above criteria are guaranteed a laptop! A Widener application for admission is required. No separate application for a laptop is needed.
The Engineering LLC provides freshman engineering students a unique opportunity to live and learn together through a variety of co-curricular activities and social events.
This peer support system eases the transition to college. Monthly meetings introduce freshmen to scholarly faculty work and diverse programming complements the classroom while addressing personal development, academic skills, and success in the engineering profession.
To request housing in the engineering LLC, look for an email from admissions after you've made your deposit that describes how to complete the online housing application.
The engineering honors program is an exciting opportunity for academically talented students to enrich their engineering education with advanced honors courses, an honors seminar, collaboration with faculty on research, civic engagement, and professional and leadership development opportunities.
Students can complete their program of study in 4 years while graduating with a certificate of honors in engineering.
See our Loading... for eligibility and program requirements.
Program Highlights
From senior projects to co-op experiences, your education will stretch beyond the classroom. Here, you'll partner with expert faculty on research projects, build relationships with industry professionals, and participate in hands-on learning opportunities.
Faculty Mentorship
You will be the priority of our civil engineering faculty. Through small class sizes, faculty mentorship, and student-faculty research projects, you'll meet professors who are deeply invested in your success. As you prepare for a career in engineering, you'll learn from our faculty—not graduate assistants.
Research & Applied Education
Shape the future of engineering by partnering with renowned faculty on cutting-edge research. You will conduct applied research in 2,510 square-feet of state-of-the-art laboratories that include advanced water and structural testing equipment and a geotechnical lab that houses a soils mechanics test facility.
Faculty
Engineering education at Widener is distinguished by close student-faculty interaction. Meet the faculty who will lead you to a powerful engineering career.
Chair of Civil Engineering
"In our department we not only build the future of society, but we also build relationships with our students. We support an engaged classroom, where you can ask questions."
Associate Professor
“My goal as an educator is to equip students with the technical skills, intellectual aspiration, and humanistic appreciation needed for their future professional career in civil engineering.”
Recent New
Widener Celebrates Honors Week and Voices of Leadership
The 2019 Honors Week included multiple special events around campus, highlighted by the eighth annual Voices of Leadership program featuring Leanne Caret, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
Your Inside Track to Success
Your Inside Track to Success
Here, you will prepare for your engineering career before you graduate.
- AECOM Technology Corporation
- Duffield Associates
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Federal Highway Administration
- Master Locator's
- O'Donnell & Naccarato Structural Engineering
- Pennoni Associates
- Turner Construction
- Urban Engineers
Outlook & Outcomes
Get in Touch
Have a question? Want to talk with us more about your options? Give us a call, or send an email today.
Civil Engineering Department
-
Kirkbride Hall, Room 349
- 610-499-4042
- jcgilbert@widener.edu
Ronald L. Mersky
Chair of Civil Engineering
-
Kirkbride Hall
Room 349A - (610) 499-1146
- rlmersky@widener.edu