Engineering
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Civil Engineering Major in Pennsylvania
Are you interested in the design and construction of infrastructure that supports society? Earn your bachelor's degree in civil engineering at Messiah University, a nationally ranked Christian university in Pennsylvania!
Study Civil Engineering at a Christian University
As a civil engineering major at Messiah University, one of the top private Christian universities in the U.S., you will be prepared to design and construct infrastructure projects such as roads, buildings, airports, water treatment plants and more. The ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) at Messiah University gives you an overview of the structural, geotechnical, transportation, environmental, construction, water resources and materials areas of civil engineering. With a special emphasis on collaborative and service learning, you will be prepared to embark on your career of choice with a servant’s mindset.
As a civil engineering major or minor at Messiah University, you'll be able to:
- Participate in the Integrated Projects Curriculum (IPC) in partnership with the Collaboratory, which provides all engineering students with a five-semester sequence of credit-bearing opportunities to use what you learn in the classroom to solve authentic problems for local and international clients. Students have created prosthetic limbs both locally and internationally using biomedical engineering, designed and constructed multiple bridges in developing countries, developed a low-cost filter system for drinking water and more.
- Study in a program that has been named an "Engineering College of Distinction" by Colleges of Distinction for 2023-2024 and a "Top Undergraduate Engineering Program in the U.S." by U.S. News and World Report.
- Learn to use industry-standard computer design tools.
- Work effectively in an interdisciplinary, diverse and team-based environment.
- Experiment with new ideas and concepts in updated laboratories intentionally designed for the undergraduate experience.
- Participate in designing and constructing bridges and other infrastructure projects in the developing world or other missions context.
- Learn from caring, Christian and teaching-focused faculty.
- Take part in rigorous undergraduate research opportunities.
As a graduate of the civil engineering program, you will be equipped to secure engineering positions in industries such as:
- Bridge design or inspection
- Construction management
- Water or wastewater management
- Structural (building) design
- Geotechnical design
- Site design and stormwater management
Our program takes very seriously our role in helping you with career preparation and your career search.
- Every Tuesday, we host a Professional Development Hour in which a professional from an engineering industry talks about his or her daily work, company and career preparation. This encourages students to become career-minded early in their education, and provides a networking opportunity if they choose to connect with the presenter.
- Each October, Messiah hosts a career expo that often includes many employers seeking to hire engineers.
- We actively coach students on how to share their Collaboratory Project experience with prospective employers so that they are equipped to represent well the project work they have done in a way that connects with industry professionals.
- We strongly encourage students to pursue internship opportunities, typically over the summer, during their engineering program. Faculty advisors assist with internship placement as able, including referring students to alumni and other professional contacts.
For more information on career planning for the engineering program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Most students pursue a summer internship in their area of interest during their time in our program, and Messiah's nationally recognized internship program is happy to help. Most civil engineering students choose to intern with an infrastructure owner, such as PennDOT or the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, or with a specialized civil engineering consultant. They've also interned Modjeski and Masters, CCJM, Michael Baker Corp and Wohlsen Construction.
Why study civil engineering?
By studying civil engineering, you’ll have the opportunity to be creative in addressing real world concerns with your technical knowledge and hands-on engineering skills. You’ll study courses such as Structural Design, Foundation Design and Water Resources Engineering to prepare you to work in the public engineering sector—from municipal to national governments, and in the private sector from individual homeowners to international companies. When you graduate, you will be prepared for both leadership and servanthood, having gained skills in technical and professional arenas, and having learned to value social, political, global, cultural, environmental, economic and human empowerment issues. Learn more about why Messiah's engineering program is different than other programs and how the Collaboratory helps prepare you for a successful career with these FAQ videos.
Test optional policy for undergraduates
Messiah University's test-optional policy enables first-year students to receive admission, secure scholarships and compete for the Messiah University Honors Program without submitting standardized tests.
Learn more when you check out our Test Optional Policy FAQ.
Programs related to Civil Engineering Degree
In the Civil Engineering program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Civil Engineering:
Careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of this program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
95% of the Class of 2024 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.
Practical experience through The Collaboratory
Starting your second year, you’ll work on projects that meet the needs of a real-world client in a Christian missions context. You will be offered the opportunity to begin using your engineering skills right away, not only in Pennsylvania, but around the world. When you finish your degree, you’ll walk into your first job with a complete project management and technical application experience.
Participate in the Integrated Projects Curriculum (IPC) in partnership with the Collaboratory, which provides all engineering students with a five-semester sequence of credit-bearing opportunities to use what you learn in the classroom to solve authentic problems for local and international clients such as building prosthetics, wheelchairs and much more. Don't want to wait until sophomore year? You can start volunteering in the Collaboratory as a first-year student!
Modern facilities
In addition, you’ll get to use our specialized facilities, including a professionally staffed machine shop; state-of-the-art mechanical, electrical, environmental and biomedical engineering labs; industry-standard engineering software, in-house circuit prototyping equipment and a robotics lab.
Diverse coursework
To meet the engineering degree requirements, you’ll take 15 pre-engineering courses and eight upper-level engineering courses. Then, you’ll finish the degree with nine courses in the biomedical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental or mechanical concentrations.
Continually recognized as a top engineering degree program by U.S. News and World Report, our engineering courses provide a balance of technical knowledge, broad education and Christian faith, in addition to you getting the opportunity to apply your knowledge to service projects in real, tangible ways through the University’s unique Integrated Projects Curriculum (IPC).