Business Minor
Advantages
Elevate your impact as a business-minded engineer with well-rounded business, accounting, and marketing skills.
Outcome
Engineering Consultant at Boeing
Undergraduate Major
Civil Engineering Major (BS) Program
With a civil engineering degree, you can pursue a career that allows you to build the future.
At a Glance
Click to Open
Offered as
Major
4+1 Bachelor's + Master's
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the Civil Engineering Major
As a civil engineering major, you'll use imagination, creativity, and technical knowledge to design, construct, and maintain the systems that keep our society functioning.
Why Earn a Civil Engineering Degree?
Modern life wouldn’t be possible without civil engineers. By finding creative solutions, civil engineers are able to create a meaningful impact on the environment and people's everyday lives, from traveling to school to taking a shower. Look almost anywhere and you’ll find evidence of a civil engineer—roadways, buildings, clean water, environmental protection, railroads, airports, and much more.
Since 1862, Widener has offered civil engineering degrees in a supportive environment that encourages analytical and creative thinking, with exposure to real-world practice. A Widener civil engineering bachelor's degree (BS) is your gateway to a career of building the next generation of the world's infrastructure.
The civil engineering program is accredited by ABET. See recent enrollment and graduation data.
Program Options for Civil Engineering Majors
Widener's civil engineering program is designed to give you a broad, practical-oriented education that prepares you to work in all areas of the profession.
Program Details
- Full-time, 4-year program (transfer students may complete their degree in 2-3 years, depending on accepted credits)
- Completed in-person at our Chester, PA campus
You can customize your civil engineering degree by choosing elective courses to specialize in environmental, construction, or structural engineering. You will learn from the structural, transportation, geotechnical, water resources, and environmental engineering fields.
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. 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....
Earning an accelerated master's degree will enhance your job opportunities and prepare you for rapid career growth—all while saving you time and money.
Fast Track to an MSE Degree
As an engineering major, you have the unique opportunity to complete a bachelor's and master's degree in engineering in just 4 to 5 years through the Loading....
Accelerated 4+1 engineering students also have the option to apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships for their 5th year.
Earn a Master's in Another Field of Study
Widener also makes it possible to complete a 4+1 degree in a different field of study through our Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program.
Complete up to 1 year of professional work experience through the School of Engineering's optional cooperative education (co-op) program and still graduate within 4 years.
Our engineering co-op program allows you to start your professional career 1 year earlier than students in typical 5-year co-op programs. This means you'll get a head start on your career—not only by earning an income as a co-op student, but also by earning an additional year of salary compared to engineering students from other universities. You may also have the opportunity to receive full-time employment from your co-op or internship employers upon graduation.
How It Works
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.You'll finish your final year on campus.
Learn more about our co-op program and our Loading... for engineering students.
As a civil engineering student, you can pursue a dual degree in another field of engineering. This enables you to earn a bachelor of science in civil engineering and another discipline within 4 years.
To learn more about dual degree options, contact the chairs of both departments to arrange your schedule accordingly.
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 graduating with a certificate of honors in engineering.
Eligibility
- Qualified Engineering first-year students are invited to the Engineering Honors program upon matriculation and at the end of their first semester at Widener.
- Transfer students who have a GPA of 3.25 or better and who earned approved transferrable credit in MATH 141 (Calculus I), CHEM 135/175(General Chemistry I), and PHYS 161 (Physics I), with a grade of “B” or better at matriculation are also eligible.
- Students must maintain a cumulative GPA and technical GPA of 3.00 or higher while enrolled in the Engineering Honors Program.
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA and technical GPA of 3.00 or higher while enrolled in the Engineering Honors Program.
Learn more about the engineering honors program
If you have questions, contact Dr. Babak Eslami (beslami@widener.edu) in the Engineering Honors Program.
Engineering students are a great fit for Widener's ROTC program. Here you'll strengthen critical-thinking, self-discipline, and team-building skills that can help you excel in a variety of engineering leadership and military careers.
ROTC cadets are eligible for generous scholarships—up to 100% full-tuition coverage—as well as the opportunity to join the Army as a commissioned officer after graduation.
Pair Your Civil Engineering Major with a Minor or Certificate
Outlook & Outcomes
Why Study Civil Engineering at Widener?
Participate in Cutting-Edge Research
Shape the future of engineering by partnering with renowned faculty on cutting-edge research. While earning your civil engineering degree, 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 soil mechanics test facility.
Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One
We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish. Your Personal Student Success Team—faculty and peer mentors and liaisons for campus resources—will make sure your first year runs smoothly.
Without skipping a beat, you’ll have what you need to make Widener your second home. And you’ll know how to invest in the greater community, from professional opportunities in Philadelphia to volunteer experiences in your new backyard.
Lean more about faculty mentorship
Explore resources for academic & career support
Find support for health & wellbeing
Expand Your Network & Engage on Campus
Ease the transition to college by joining your classmates for a unique opportunity to live and learn together through our Engineering Living Learning Community (LLC). Monthly meetings introduce first-year students to scholarly faculty work and diverse programming complements the classroom while addressing personal development, academic skills, and success in the engineering profession.
Civil Engineering majors also have the opportunity to join various clubs and organizations across campus and beyond to expand their network, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and many more.
Student Stories
Civil Engineering Degree Program Highlights
Our Faculty
“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.”
"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."
Recent New
Why We Give Back: The Kane Family
From his work as the university's executive director of facilities management to her exceptional volunteerism, Kevin and Kristin Kane make giving to Widener a family affair.
Widener’s Unique Co-op Program Sets Students Apart
For more than 50 years, co-ops at Widener offer the unique experience for students to get hands-on, paid experience while still graduating on time.
A Camp to Inspire Careers: Would-Be Engineers Dive Deeper into the Field
Widener engineering’s annual summer camp provides local students with hands-on experience and an introduction into a potential career.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.
Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.
When to Apply
We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app.
Key dates to keep in mind:
- October 1: FAFSA opens for the next academic year (Widener's school code is 003313)
- November 1: Early Action deadline and decision notifications begin
What to Expect After Applying
Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.
If you apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:
- Receiving your admissions decision by Thanksgiving
- Early consideration for merit-based scholarships
- Early notification of financial aid offers, including need-based awards
- Priority enrollment for summer registration—where you sign up for classes!
All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process.
This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.
To transfer into an undergraduate engineering program, a minimum 2.5 GPA is required for consideration.
Additional Engineering Coursework Requirements:
- A grade of "C" or higher in calculus
- A grade of "C" or higher is required in one of the following courses (General Chemistry I, Physics I, or Biology*)
*Biology course requirement is only for Biomedical Engineering applicants - Applicants can still apply if they are in the process of completing one of the course requirements. You will just need to show successful completion of the course before matriculation.
Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.
Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator.
Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there!
Financial Aid
Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings an exceptional education within reach. Complete your admissions application today to determine your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants.
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need.
You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.
Paths to Savings
Nearly 100% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid
Nearly 100% of new full-time undergraduate students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.
The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.
Scholarships Start at $90,000 Over 4 Years
(including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)
Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.
4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition
In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.
Earn an Income with a Paid Co-Op & Still Graduate On-Time
Tap into our wide network of Philly-area employers and experience a full-time, paid co-op. In addition to earning an income, you do not pay tuition while on co-op. You can also choose to live on campus, at home, or even travel for your co-op.
ROTC Cadets Eligible for Up to 100% Tuition Coverage
Cadets in the ROTC program are given the opportunity to have a significant portion of their education paid for through scholarships—as high as 100% full-tuition coverage. If eligible, the scholarship program has numerous benefits for cadets including room and board, a monthly stipend, and more.
After graduation, cadets also have a direct pathway to a paid career with the option to advance into the military as a commissioned officer.
Undergraduate Admissions Office
-
Muller Hall
- 888-WIDENER
- admissions.office@widener.edu
Ronald L. Mersky
Chair of Civil Engineering
-
Kirkbride Hall
Room 349A - (610) 499-1146
- rlmersky@widener.edu
Mark A. Nicosia
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Strategy
-
Old Main
Room 8 - (610) 499-4192
- manicosia@widener.edu