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Online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Civil Engineering

Total Credit Hours

15

Cost Per Credit Hour

$445

Bridge the Gap and Build Your Future with an online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Civil Engineering from LSU

This fully online post-baccalaureate certificate provides students with STEM backgrounds a direct pathway into civil engineering graduate study or entry-level roles—without requiring an undergraduate degree in civil engineering.

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Pathway for Advanced Learning

The online PBC in Civil Engineering fulfills prerequisites to the online M.S. in Civil Engineering.

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Renowned, Industry-leading Faculty

Learn from LSU’s renowned faculty with extensive real-world experience in infrastructure design, analysis, and management.

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Practical, Relevant Skills

Focus on industry-specific, practical skills in fields like structural analysis, geotechnical engineering, and transportation.

Earn an Online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Civil Engineering from LSU

Build core civil engineering fundamentals through targeted coursework designed to prepare you for graduate study or entry-level positions in the field.

Develop specialized knowledge in areas such as structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, and land surveying to support real-world infrastructure needs.

Pivot into a high-demand engineering field with a flexible, fully online program offered through the LSU College of Engineering.

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Accredited

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

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Save Time. Save Money. Simplify Your Application.

LSU Online now offers a FREE transcript service that helps you collect your transcripts at no cost—so you can focus on your future! Learn More

Admissions

Whether you’re returning to school or advancing your career, our admissions team is here to support you every step of the way.

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Apply by

May 11, 2026

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Classes begin

May 25, 2026

Admission Requirements
  • Any student with a bachelor's degree in related STEM fields such as petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, geophysics, and applied mathematics who want to transition to civil engineering are qualified for admission to this PBC program. 
  • SAT/GRE/GMAT tests are not required for entering this program. 

Tuition

LSU programs offer competitive, flat-rate tuition with no out-of-state fees, making it easier to plan for the cost of your degree. You may also be able to save more by transferring eligible credits.

Tuition & Fees
15 credit hours
Total credit hours per program
$445
Cost per credit hour
$6,675
Total cost with fees

LSU Online offers several ways to help you pay for your degree including financial aid, and veteran education benefits. Learn More.

The total cost above does not include transfer credit or financial aid. Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Fee schedules may vary by program depending on course-specific fees for proctoring and/or books. Please contact a Student Success Coach for more information.

Financial Aid Available

LSU offers several ways to help you pay for your degree including credit for prior learning (PLA), financial aid, and veteran education benefits. Learn More.

Academics

LSU’s online PBC in Civil Engineering is designed to prepare you for a master’s degree in civil engineering while meeting critical prerequisite course requirements of the online M.S. Civil Engineering program.

Courses

Students are required to take the following 4 courses (12 Credits Hours).

Course Credit Hours Prerequisite

CE 2450 Statistics

3

A grade of “C” or better in MATH 1550 (Differential and Integral Calculus), MATH 1552 (Analytic Geometry and Calculus II), and PHYS 2110 (Particle Mechanics) CE 2200 Fluid Mechanics

CE 2200 Fluid Mechanics

3

CE 2450

CE 3300 Geotechnical Engineering I

3

GEOL 1001 (General Geology: Physical), CHEM 1202 (General Chemistry II), and CE 2200

Note: A grade of “C” or better is required in CHEM 1202 and CE 2200

CE 3400 Mechanics of Materials

3

A grade of “C” or better in CE 2450

Students select 1 elective from the following (3 Credits Hours)

Course Credit Hours

CE 3415 Structural Analysis I

3

CE 3500 Plane Surveying and Measurements

3

CE 3600 Principles of Highway and Traffic Engineering

3

CE 4400 Principles of Steel Design

3

Total Credit Hours: 15

* Students interested in the MS in Civil Engineering are advised to consult with their advisors in selecting the right elective course.

What Will I Learn?

Students will develop essential career skills including technical competency in analyzing and designing civil infrastructure systems, application of fundamental engineering principles to real-world infrastructure challenges, and critical problem-solving abilities for complex structural, geotechnical, and transportation systems.

Skills Developed:

  • Identifying, formulating, and solving complex engineering problems using principles of engineering, science, and mathematics. 
  • Applying engineering design to create infrastructure solutions that meet specified needs while considering public health, safety, welfare, and global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors. 
  • Recognizing ethical and professional responsibilities in civil engineering contexts and making informed judgments considering the impact of engineering solutions on global, economic, environmental, and societal systems. 
  • Developing strategies to independently acquire and apply new knowledge, preparing for lifelong learning in the civil engineering profession. 

Careers

Whether you’re advancing your career or preparing to transfer into the field of civil engineering, this fully online program provides civil engineering fundamentals to help bridge the educational gap and move you forward. 

Meet Workforce Needs

This program addresses critical workforce needs at both local and national levels: 

  1. At the local level, Louisiana faces significant infrastructure challenges requiring skilled civil engineers. The state's unique geographical conditions with coastal erosion, flooding risks, and aging transportation systems demand specialized expertise that this program helps develop.
  2. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady growth in civil engineering positions, particularly as federal and state infrastructure initiatives expand. The American Society of Civil Engineers consistently highlights the critical need for qualified professionals to address infrastructure challenges across the country.
Career Opportunities

The PBC prepares graduates for entry-level positions in several high-demand areas: 

  • Land Surveying Technician
  • Civil Engineering Technician
  • Construction Engineering Inspector 
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Structural engineering
  • Transportation engineering 

These positions represent starting points for graduates, with opportunities for advancement as they gain experience and potentially pursue further education and professional licensure.

By creating a pathway for STEM professionals to transition into civil engineering, this program directly addresses workforce shortages while providing valuable career opportunities for graduates. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my degree say I earned it online?

No, graduates receive the same diploma as on-campus peers.

Will I pay out-of-state tuition if I am outside of Louisiana?

There are no out-of-state fees. Fully online programs offer the same flat-rate tuition no matter where you live.

How do online classes work?

LSU Online is a flexible fit for learners offering six starts a year and seven-week terms. All courses are designed to be fully accessible and engage learners, no matter where you are located.

Why choose LSU’s online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Civil Engineering?

The online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Civil Engineering is designed for students with STEM backgrounds, taught by experienced instructors and provides the knowledge needed to pursue the M.S. in Civil Engineering without an undergraduate degree in civil engineering. Whether aiming to qualify for graduate education or transition careers into civil engineering practice, this program provides the fundamental knowledge in civil engineering.

Students would choose the PBC in Civil Engineering at LSU for several distinct advantages:

  • Direct pathway to the online MS in Civil Engineering by fulfilling all prerequisites in a structured, cohesive program.
  • Opportunity to transition from related STEM fields into civil engineering without completing a second bachelor's degree.
  • Access to LSU's renowned faculty with extensive experience in infrastructure design, analysis, and management.
  • Flexible online format allowing working professionals to gain credentials while maintaining employment.
  • Focus on practical, industry-relevant skills in high-demand areas like structural analysis, geotechnical engineering, and transportation.
Why choose LSU?

The passion and excellence that LSU stands for have earned the school a coveted "Tier One" spot in U.S. News & World Report's “Best Colleges.” As the state’s flagship university, LSU has been preparing students for rewarding careers for over 150 years. Today, LSU is equally proud of its strides to make education more accessible through innovative online degree programs that are every bit as rigorous as its on-campus programs.

Through the dedication of an exceptional faculty and staff, LSU is one of only 30 universities in the United States designated as a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant institution. In addition, LSU is the only public top-tier university to receive the honor of being placed in the "very high research activity" category by the Carnegie Foundation. 

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Take the first step forward by completing the form, and our enrollment team will contact you soon to discuss:

  • What program meets your academic and career goals
  • Financial aid options (employer funding, military benefits)
  • Receiving credit for past education (transfer, professional development)
  • The admissions process and timeline

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