Civil Engineering Schools in Oklahoma
Do highways, buildings, dams or bridges intrigue you? Are you good with math, design and construction? Civil engineering may be a career where you will be successful and where you will enjoy what you do. If you have an interest in the design and construction of infrastructure, such as buildings, roads and bridges, there are programs available in Oklahoma that offer a path to a challenging and rewarding career in civil engineering. A few of the accredited schools in Oklahoma include:
- Oklahoma State University
- University of Oklahoma
- Tulsa Community College
- Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology-Okmulgee
Like most states, to become a civil engineer you must complete a four-year degree in Civil Engineering or a related field deemed appropriate by the The Oklahoma State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Course work for the minor degree includes math classes, introductory engineering courses and basic design. Beyond that, the courses are more specialized with classes, such as surveying, environmental and transportation engineering, hydrology, hydraulics, statistics and dynamics. Graduate classes would further those particulars with research, theory and hands-on training.
Upon graduation you will need to be licensed by the state of Oklahoma in order to work in it. The Oklahoma State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors is responsible for ensuring requirements are met. Applications for professional engineers, interns, professional land surveyors and more are available online on the state government site. You will be asked to provide transcripts, to take an examination and to pay a processing fee along with the application. Various licenses are required for different levels of engineers, so continued education is important, and can be achieved through any of the institutions mentioned or through industry and experience.
To be a civil engineer means to be exposed to a myriad of assignments, such as field inspections, cost estimation, supervising construction contracts and consulting. An Associate’s degree is a good place to start as you could work as a technician or drafter and move up if you so desire.
Jobs available include:
- for the state
- private design and construction companies
- consulting firms
The BLS reports that the average salary is at $85,820, which is in pace with the national average. Continued education, experience and required licensing in Oklahoma puts the top civil engineers around the $132,570 mark. Oklahoma makes it possible to be comfortable, happy and successful for those what are intrigued by infrastructure; all you have to do is take advantage of one of the many programs and positions that are available.