Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Civil Engineering

Wouldn’t it be fun to get an associate’s degree that allowed you to build bridges, drive dump trucks, and construct dams? Who wouldn’t like to do that stuff? If this sounds like something you’d love, then you might want to research getting an associate degree in civil engineering.

Why Get An Associate’s Degree in Civil Engineering?

Getting an associate degree in civil engineering means that you’ll be qualified to help architects and senior engineers construct major buildings, airports, railroads, power plants, waste treatment facilities, roads, bridges, and irrigation systems.

If you love math and science, and you like the idea of working with your hands and being outdoors most of the day, then an associate degree in civil engineering might be for you.

What You’ll Learn In A Civil Engineering Degree Program

Because civil engineering is a technical field, you’ll spend a lot of time taking math and science courses. It’s essential that you be comfortable in these two subjects, especially math, because you’ll be using it often in your job. You’ll also be using programs like CAD, so it’s essential that you be comfortable using computers.

Some of the courses you might expect to take when getting your civil engineering associate degree include:

Land Surveying
Engineering Mechanics
Technical Writing
Engineering Materials
Highway Constructing and Design
Technical Mathematics
Auto CAD
Hydraulics
Infrastructure Design
Inspection, Surveying, and Estimating
Geotechnical Design

If you decide to continue with your education and get your bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, then you’ll be able to pick a concentration that caters to the field you’re most interested in.

Concentrations can be a great way to really learn about one aspect of the engineering field, and they often increase your career prospects because you’re seen as an “expert” in that area.

Some of the concentrations available to civil engineering students include geo-technical, structural, architectural, traffic, and ocean.

Careers With An Associate Degree in Civil Engineering

An associate degree in civil engineering is going to allow you to work as an assistant civil engineer. This means you can work for private builders and construction firms, as well as state and local governments.

With an associate degree in civil engineering you can expect to earn between $30,000 and $45,000. CBSalary.com lists the average earnings for an civil engineer at $60,609.

If you continue with your education, however, you will be qualified to earn much more than this. Full-fledged civil engineers earn, on average, $48,000 to $85,000. So, it’s definitely worth it to stay in school if you love this field. The extra investment in yourself will definitely pay off.

As far as career prospects go, the housing slowdown has made the market a bit tight for civil engineer assistants. But, there are still be plenty of opportunities at the local and state level, and these positions are expected to increase, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, due to the increased spending that many governments are making in their infrastructure.

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information