Civil engineering

This program will be a good fit if you:

• Have an aptitude in mathematics
• Are interested in solving the world’s infrastructure challenges
• Like to work with a variety of people to solve problems and design solutions
• Want to make communities more sustainable and environmentally compatible

Degree Roadmap

Your lower-division courses will consist of a common core of courses in science, mathematics and engineering. You are encouraged to develop individual interests through the selection of technical electives.

Design procedures are introduced in the first and second year of the program, are intensified in the third year required courses and culminate in significant design experiences in technical elective courses in the fourth year.

Your third year courses introduce the subject matter of the civil engineering sub-disciplines, while the fourth year courses add depth in elective areas. You’ll complete your study with a team-based senior design project that is sponsored by a real client and culminates each spring with the Engineering Design EXPO.

Professional licensing

Completion of the program will count towards eligibility for the Professional Engineer's License (PE) to practice Engineering, which requires a four-year degree from an ABET-accredited school, four years of experience under a PE, and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Principles of Practice in Engineering (PE) Exams.

Advising

• First-year undergraduates — Our professional advisors can help you learn more about degree options, select a major, Identify required and elective courses and build a plan toward graduation. As you progress through your degree, you’ll transition to a faculty advisor.  
• Transfer students — If you have 13 or less transfer credits, email Student Services or call 208-885-6470. If you have more than 13 credits, contact the department you're transferring into. 

Financial aid

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but U of I’s Financial Aid Office is here to help. Our experienced financial aid counselors can assist you in exploring financial aid options, making informed financial decisions and addressing common concerns.

To maximize aid and scholarship possibilities, be sure to complete your FAFSA. For information on FAFSA deadlines and answers to common questions, visit the University of Idaho FAFSA website.

Plan ahead — estimate your cost of attendance with U of I’s Cost Calculator.

Scholarships

Unlock scholarship opportunities at U of I. Once you have applied, you're automatically considered for scholarships. We also offer a variety of scholarships based on experience, background and academic programs that you can apply for to help pay for college.

Explore available scholarships at our Scholarships website.

Program specific scholarships

• Engineering students receive more than $1 million in scholarships annually.
• Earn more than $64,000 in scholarships over the course of four years through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). Eligible first-year and transfer students are considered simply by filling out their U of I admission application. There’s no separate application or deadline.
• All first-time students and first-time transfer students in the College of Engineering are automatically considered for merit- and need-based scholarships and financial aid when filling out the admissions application and FAFSA. There are no separate scholarship applications required to be considered. Continuing students are also automatically considered after filling out the FAFSA each year.
• Additional College of Engineering scholarships – Available based on major and interest areas. Browse engineering scholarships and application processes. 

Hands-on learning

All U of I College of Engineering students, especially undergraduates, participate in hands-on activities through:

• Nationally-ranked Senior Capstone Design Program - Emphasizing the design process and creation of a thoughtfully-engineered, tested and validated outcome or prototype. Interdisciplinary teams showcase their work at our annual Engineering Design EXPO.
• Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) – Get paid up to $20,000 alternating semesters of academic study with paid full-time employment in your field.  
• Pursue your passions and build skills industry are looking for - Improving an ever-changing world requires the knowledge of a highly skilled engineering community. The University of Idaho College of Engineering Professional Skills Academy develops graduates with expert technical and professional skills who are ready to lead a competitive workplace.  
  • Idaho’s only Grand Challenge Scholars Program - Preparing undergraduates to solve the biggest challenges facing society in the 21st century.  
  • Research and funding opportunities - Grow your confidence in a laboratory setting, gain experience with research proposal development and project management, and collaborate extensively with peers and faculty in research projects that make an impact.
• Internships and Summer programs – Vandal engineers spend their summers in paid internship, fellowship and research mentorship programs. Explore opportunities with leading industry, national research centers and more.

Clubs

Our college offers 20+ clubs and organizations tied to international and national engineering organizations, including national competition teams.

Learn about clubs related to your major:

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC)
• Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
• Tau Beta Pi - Engineering Honor Society (TBP)

Undergraduate applications open each September and admissions are processed on a rolling basis. Qualified students are admitted and considered for scholarships and financial aid as applications are received.

Explore admission requirements at our Admissions website.