The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective.
WARNING: The following information reflects a degree requirement which expired as of Summer 2025. Please click the appropriate link under "Degree Programs" on the right side of this page to view the currently effective requirements for this program. If a link to this program does not appear, the program may no longer be available, or may be available under a different academic unit. You can find past requirements under the appropriate archived catalog.
Civil Engineering (125 Credits)
Admission to the Major Criteria
Students may be admitted to the Civil Engineering degree program either in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, on the Pullman campus, or in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, on the Tri-Cities campus.
To be admitted to the Civil Engineering major, students must have one of the following:
• An 83% or higher ALEKS math placement score
• WSU enrollment in MATH 171 or equivalent credit earned with a ‘C’ or higher grade
• An AP Calculus score of ‘2’ or higher (AB or BC exam)
To remain in the Civil Engineering major, students must complete the following benchmarks:
• A grade of ‘C’ or better in the following courses:
-- MATH 171, MATH 172
-- CE 211
-- PHYSICS 201 and 211
• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (or transfer GPA if no WSU GPA exists upon completion of the above courses)
The admission to major benchmarks are the same on all campuses, but the application process may vary. Students should consult with their advisor about their readiness for admission to the major and apply during the semester in which admission requirements will be met.
The admission to the major is only valid for the current campus of residence. Should a student decide to change campus after admission to the major, they will need to reapply for admission to the major for the campus to which they transfer.
Students who are deficient under the University’s Academic Regulations or whose GPA in CE courses falls below 2.0 are subject to loss of eligibility of major. The undergraduate studies committee on each campus will determine the probation conditions for academically deficient students. Students must meet the conditions of their probation during the following semester to remain admitted to the major. Students failing to meet their probationary conditions during the following semester are released from the major.
To earn a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering, students must complete one of the following experiential requirements:
At least 50 of the total hours required for this degree must be in 300-400-level courses. None of the courses listed below may be taken on a pass/fail basis. A grade of C or higher in all CE courses used to fulfill major requirements is required for graduation.
Students should consult with their advisor at their campus of residence for approved alternative course sequences and choices as well as allowed substitutions to the schedule of studies listed below. At the time of admission to the CE program, all pre-existing upper-division CE coursework from previous institutions can be evaluated by the department for compliance with degree requirements on a case-by-case basis. Following admission to the CE program, all subsequent upper-division CE courses must be taken at WSU. However, an exception may be made if a student receives less than a C grade in one CE course during their last semester at WSU. With approval of the department chair, a student can make up that one course only at a different institution.
Students may be admitted to the Civil Engineering degree program either in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, on the Pullman campus, or in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, on the Tri-Cities campus.
To be admitted to the Civil Engineering major, students must have one of the following:
• An 83% or higher ALEKS math placement score
• WSU enrollment in MATH 171 or equivalent credit earned with a ‘C’ or higher grade
• An AP Calculus score of ‘2’ or higher (AB or BC exam)
To remain in the Civil Engineering major, students must complete the following benchmarks:
• A grade of ‘C’ or better in the following courses:
-- MATH 171, MATH 172
-- CE 211
-- PHYSICS 201 and 211
• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (or transfer GPA if no WSU GPA exists upon completion of the above courses)
The admission to major benchmarks are the same on all campuses, but the application process may vary. Students should consult with their advisor about their readiness for admission to the major and apply during the semester in which admission requirements will be met.
The admission to the major is only valid for the current campus of residence. Should a student decide to change campus after admission to the major, they will need to reapply for admission to the major for the campus to which they transfer.
Students who are deficient under the University’s Academic Regulations or whose GPA in CE courses falls below 2.0 are subject to loss of eligibility of major. The undergraduate studies committee on each campus will determine the probation conditions for academically deficient students. Students must meet the conditions of their probation during the following semester to remain admitted to the major. Students failing to meet their probationary conditions during the following semester are released from the major.
Experiential Requirement
To earn a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering, students must complete one of the following experiential requirements:
- An internship of at least eight weeks duration, with at least one credit of CE 495.
- A research position of at least eight weeks duration under the supervision of a departmental faculty member or approved mentor, with at least one credit of CE 499.
- Study abroad for six or more credit hours. International students in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences will meet this requirement through their study in the United States.
- Participation in a recognized ROTC program. Veterans in the Department of Civil Environmental Engineering or in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences will have met this requirement through their prior service in the armed forces.
- A leadership or service experience of at least one semester, subject to departmental approval, with at least one credit of CE 499.
At least 50 of the total hours required for this degree must be in 300-400-level courses. None of the courses listed below may be taken on a pass/fail basis. A grade of C or higher in all CE courses used to fulfill major requirements is required for graduation.
Students should consult with their advisor at their campus of residence for approved alternative course sequences and choices as well as allowed substitutions to the schedule of studies listed below. At the time of admission to the CE program, all pre-existing upper-division CE coursework from previous institutions can be evaluated by the department for compliance with degree requirements on a case-by-case basis. Following admission to the CE program, all subsequent upper-division CE courses must be taken at WSU. However, an exception may be made if a student receives less than a C grade in one CE course during their last semester at WSU. With approval of the department chair, a student can make up that one course only at a different institution.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| CHEM 105 [PSCI] | 4 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| ENGR 120 | 2 |
| MATH 171 [QUAN] | 4 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| ECONS 101 [SSCI] or 102 [SSCI] | 3 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| MATH 172 | 4 |
| MATH 220 | 2 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 3 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| CE 211 | 3 |
| MATH 273 | 2 |
| PHYSICS 201 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 211 | 1 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| CE 203 | 2 |
| CE 215 | 3 |
| CHEM 106, PHYSICS 202/212, SOE 101, or 1022 | 4 |
| ME 212 | 3 |
| ME 220 | 1 |
| STAT 360 or 370 | 3 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| CE 302 | 2 |
| CE 315 | 3 |
| CE 317 [M] | 4 |
| CE 330 | 3 |
| CE 341 | 3 |
| CST M 254 | 2 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| CE 320, MSE 201, or ME 301 | 3 |
| CE 321 | 2 |
| CE 322 | 3 |
| CE 351 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 402 [WRTG] or COM 400 [COMM] | 3 |
| MATH 315 | 3 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| CE 463 | 3 |
| CE 480 [M] | 1 |
| CE Electives3 | 9 |
| CE Laboratory Elective4 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| CE 465 [CAPS] [M]5 | 4 |
| CE Electives3 | 9 |
| Complete Experiential Requirement6 | 0 - 1 |
| Exit Interview | |
Footnotes
| 1 | Must complete 4 of these 5 UCORE designations: ARTS, BSCI, DIVR, EQJS, HUM. |
| 2 | CHEM 106 strongly recommended for students emphasizing environmental engineering; SOE 101 or 102 strongly recommended for students emphasizing structural, geotechnical, or infrastructure engineering. |
| 3 | CE Elective courses: The 18 credits for elective courses must be distributed such that at least one course, not including the lab, is chosen from two different areas of study, which include Environmental (CE 401, 402, 403, 407, 415, 418, 419, and 442); Geotechnical (CE 400, 425, and 435); Hydraulics (CE 407, 416, 450, 451, 456, 460, and 475); Structural (CE 414, 430, 431, 433, 434, and 436); Sustainability (CE 405, 456, and 472); and Transportation/Pavement (CE 400, 472, 473, and 476); Other approved courses include: 4 credits of CE 488, 3 credits of 498, CST M 462, 466, or as approved by advisor. Of the 18 credits for elective courses, at least three courses designated as having a design emphasis, not including the lab, must be chosen. Eligible design courses include: CE 400, 403, 407, 419, 425, 431, 433, 434, 435, 436, 442, 450, 451, 456, 460, 473, or 476. |
| 4 | CE Laboratory Elective: Choose one from CE 400, 415, or 416. |
| 5 | Course to be taken in final semester. With permission of advisor, student may substitute ENGR 421 or 431 for CE 465. |
| 6 | Experiential Requirement: Requires completion of one of the following: 1) one credit of CE 495 or 499; 2) six or more credits of study abroad; 3) military service or participation in recognized ROTC program. |