Construction Engineering Technology
Overview
Construction engineering technology programs prepare people to help engineers who construct buildings and other structures.Construction engineering technology programs prepare people to inspect and manage construction sites and help engineers who construct buildings. Students learn about materials and construction methods. They also learn to read and interpret building plans.
Construction engineering technology programs include topics such as:
- Basic structural engineering principles and construction techniques
- Construction site management
- Building site inspection
- Construction personnel supervision
- Plan and specification interpretation
- Applicable building codes
- Report writing
Schools
Many community colleges and technical schools offer certificate and associate degree programs in construction engineering technology. A certificate program usually takes a year of full-time study. An associate degree program at a community college usually takes two years of full-time study to complete.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in construction engineering technology. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Architectural Engineering
- Architectural Engineering Technology
- Building Construction Technology
- Carpentry
- Civil Engineering
- Civil Engineering Technology
- Computational Mathematics
- Construction Engineering
- Construction Inspection
- Construction Trades
- Drafting and Design Technology
- Engineering Physics
- Engineering Technology, General
- Environmental Design
- Materials Engineering
- Metallurgical Technology
- Physics
- Plumbing and Water Supply
- Structural Engineering
- Surveying Technology
- Welding Technology
- Woodworking and Cabinetmaking
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
- Blue-Collar Worker Supervisors
- Building Maintenance Workers
- Civil Engineers
- Environmental Engineering Technicians
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science and Programming
- English Composition
- Physics
- Trigonometry
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
An associate degree program in this field typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD)
- Construction Scheduling and Estimating
- Contracts and Specifications
- Engineering Graphics
- Engineering Physics
- English Composition
- Introduction to Computer Science
- Mechanics
- Mechanics of Materials
- Pre-Calculus
- Soil Mechanics
- Structural Analysis
- Surveying
A bachelor's degree program often assumes that you have taken pre-calculus while in high school. It typically includes the other courses listed above, plus the following:
- Calculus
- Statistics
- Financial Accounting
- Business Law
- Engineering Economics
- Foundation Engineering
- Concrete Design
- Steel Design
- Fluid Mechanics
- Building Systems
- Construction Project Management
- Senior Project
Things to Know
Many jobs in this field require a lot of writing and clear communication. Taking writing and speaking courses will develop your communication skills.
With an associate degree, you can work as a construction engineering technician. With a bachelor's degree in an engineering technology, you may be able to work either as an engineer or as a technologist. Your options depend on what state you live in and whether your state requires a license.
If you want a license, you usually need a bachelor's degree from an engineering technology program recognized by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. You also need several years of work experience and must pass an exam.
Certifications are also available from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies.
Schools
Tri-Cities Area
Columbia Basin College
- Engineering Technology
Vancouver Area
West Coast Training
- Hazwoper 120 (Hazmat) Certification
West Side Area
Bellingham Technical College
- Civil Engineering Technology
South Puget Sound Community College
- Architecture, Engineering and Construction Technology
Yakima Area
Yakima Valley College
- Land Surveying & Construction Design Technology