Construction Engineering (BSE)
Construction engineering focuses on planning, design and management for the construction of infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, pipelines, airports, railroads, industrial plants, buildings, dams and reservoirs. The construction engineering degree prepares students intending to gain a professional engineer license, while working at the interface of design activities and field construction.
ASU’s degree program is the third in the Southwestern U.S. and one of about 20 worldwide.
Read our undergraduate degree program objectives and student outcomes.
Construction engineers integrate design and construction practice.
As a construction engineer, you will be a part of the solution to address long-term infrastructure projects worldwide.
Our multidisciplinary program in construction engineering—only the third such program in the Southwest and one of about 20 worldwide—combines the design principles of civil engineering with the business knowledge of construction management, preparing you for a career working at the interface of design and construction. Arizona State University is an urban-serving institution in a major metropolitan area, providing you with access to ongoing construction projects, internships and networking opportunities in the city.
The Construction Engineering BSE degree program at Arizona State University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. Student enrollment and graduation data are available at engineering.asu.edu/enrollment.
What will I study?
The construction engineering degree program combines engineering design and construction management courses with a focus on sustainability and building information modeling topics. This includes coursework in contract management, construction methods, cost and schedule control, people management and project estimating. The design content includes structures, geotechnical and transportation engineering. You will be further prepared to succeed with computer, management and people skills.
Is this a four-year college degree?
Yes, our bachelor of science (BSE) in construction engineering is a four-year degree. The curriculum combines engineering design and construction management and prepares students for licensed Professional Engineer (PE) registration.
What is the starting salary?
The annual starting salary range is typically between $50,000-$60,000, plus benefits, and often the use of a company vehicle.
Are scholarships available?
There are a number of scholarships available for students entering construction engineering. Historically, the average scholarship award has been $2,500 per academic year with a high of $6,000.
How does the program rank nationally?
The construction engineering program at ASU is the newest in the U.S. and one of about 15 nationwide. Our students take classes from our outstanding civil engineering and construction management programs.
Do I need any construction experience to enter this program?
No, we will teach you engineering design, management, leadership and communication skills needed to succeed in industry. All construction engineering students are required to take at least one summer internship.
What do graduates do?
As a construction engineering graduate, you will be prepared to begin as a field engineer, project engineer, or project designer working for facility owners, design firms, construction companies, specialty subcontractors, or material suppliers. As your career progresses, you should be able to take on leadership roles in the delivery of sustainable facilities in the built environment and then progress through successively higher levels of management responsibility.
Is this an engineering program?
Yes, construction engineering is part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and is housed in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment (SSEBE).
The construction engineering BSE program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. Student enrollment and graduation data are available at http://engineering.asu.edu/enrollment.
How large are my classes?
Although ASU is one of the nation’s largest universities, many courses are divided into small class sections to enable greater interaction between students and instructors.
Do many women seek careers in construction engineering?
Women are increasingly seeking construction engineering as a career in response to the demand by government agencies, engineering firms and construction companies. Currently, enrollment in our school is 20 percent women.
What classes should I take in high school?
A college preparation curriculum including math, physics, chemistry, English and computer courses will help prepare you for college-level work. Since strong presentation and communication skills will be important to your success, we also recommend public speaking and writing courses. You will need a minimum 3.0 GPA to be accepted into our program.
What is the jobs outlook for construction engineering?
A July 2009 Wall Street Journal report listed the civil and project (construction) engineering degrees as the second best degree investment in higher education—citing the nation’s need to address long-term infrastructure. There are also numerous opportunities to work on monumental international projects. Our graduates are well positioned to pursue graduate or advanced professional degree programs such as business or law.
Degree offered
Construction Engineering, BSE
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
Location
Tempe
What is a major map?
A major map outlines a major’s critical requirements, elective and required courses, and optional course sequencing to help students stay on the right track to graduation.
Application requirements
ASU students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
Freshman
Transfer
International
Readmission
Admission requirements for many majors in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering are higher than University admission standards. Please review the Admissions Requirements (PDF) link for a complete list of degree programs requiring higher admission standards.
Affording college
Scholarships
Find and apply for scholarships at ASU
Be sure to check out Fulton Schools’ scholarships available to both new and continuing students
Financial Aid
ASU has many financial aid options. Almost everyone, regardless of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid. In fact, more than 70 percent of all ASU students receive some form of financial assistance every year.
Professional licensure
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.
Our students
Coming from a family that has four generations in the construction industry, Jon Serfilippi knows the field well. He, too, is pursuing a career in the field and found his niche in construction engineering, noting that it is the perfect combination of the technical skills of civil engineering and the business mindset of construction management. Read Jon’s story