7 Types of Civil Engineering

Specializations (Plus Tips)

By Indeed Editorial Team
Published October 8, 2021

Civil engineering has a variety of specializations that focus on different

topics and project goals. When undergraduate students choose this
major, it's important they select an area of study so they can receive
specific training and better prepare for a future career. By learning some
fundamental information about civil engineering specializations, you can
determine a career path that best suits your interests and long-term
goals. In this article, we define what civil engineering specialization is, list
the different types and provide examples of project opportunities, salary
information and tips for your selection process.

Get interview-ready with tips from Indeed

Prepare for interviews with practice questions and tips

What is a civil engineering specialization?

A civil engineering specialization is a subfield of a larger academic study
that involves a specific operation, material or object. As civil engineering
involves multiple types of infrastructure projects, it's often helpful if
professionals have a comprehensive knowledge of one particular area.
Undergraduate students typically choose a specialization after selecting a
civil engineering major in their degree program. After they graduate,
they can either gain a higher degree in their specialization or enter the
workforce for their niche.

Related: What Is Civil Engineering? Definition and Steps To Become a

Civil Engineer

Types of engineering specializations

Here are the seven primary types of engineering specializations you can
study:

1. Structural engineering

Structural engineering students learn how to design large structures and

ensure they can stay functional during high winds and natural disasters,
like earthquakes. They study the gravitational properties of a structure to
determine how much weight they can handle, as this step allows them to
create support mechanisms through beams and columns. It's important
for these students to take courses on other physical science topics,
including kinetics, shock waves and airflow. After they graduate from a
program, they can further specialize in building, bridge design or aircraft
engineering.

Consider the following examples of projects that a structural engineering

graduate might conduct:

 Bridge design
 Site inspection
 Home improvements
 Foundation development
 Vehicle and airplane design
 Skyscraper design

Read more: What Is a Structural Engineer?

2. Construction engineering and management

In this specialization, civil engineering students can learn the design

principles of construction, building code regulations and operation steps
for a project. They typically take courses on how to manage a project's
resources and equipment, then how to construct buildings that are safe,
functional and sustainable. Students also study how to organize each
construction process step, including making a timeline, maintaining a
materials inventory and preparing a budget. Programs with a
management component often emphasize building information
modeling (BIM), which is an information technology tool that many
construction engineers use for their endeavors.

Here are some examples of building projects a construction engineering

and management graduate might conduct:

 Residential buildings
 Commercial buildings
 Roads and bridges
 Water treatment plants
 School locations
 Hospital environments

Read more: What Is Construction Engineering?

3. Geotechnical engineering

Geotechnical engineering is a specialization that involves the study of

rocks, soil and any artificial materials that support a system. For example,
a graduate may coordinate the construction of an underground mining
facility. It's important for geotechnical students to learn about the
chemical properties of earth materials, as different types of rock may
require different building techniques. When completing their degree,
students often study water and soil interactions, plus how to design
pavement structures and predict whether a natural slope can handle the
additional weight.

Here are some examples of projects for a geotechnical engineering

graduate:

 Water tank reservoir systems

 Sewer tunnel systems
 Pavements and roads
 Natural embankments
 Historical monument restoration
  Soil sampling and testing

Read more: Geotechnical Engineer Degree: A Definitive Guide

4. Environmental engineering

Environmental engineering students learn how to reduce the overall

impact of an artificial system on the world's ecosystem and manage
natural resources for a construction project. They typically study the
chemical properties of water, soil and air so they can design technical
mechanisms that solve pollution issues. After they graduate, they may
help companies improve the sustainability of their facilities and advise
legislators on environmental policies. Their projects often result in the
production of green energy, which is a renewable power source from
natural occurrences like sunlight or water.

Consider the following examples of projects for an environmental

engineering graduate:

 Solid waste management

 Recycling systems
 Water treatment
 Drainage systems
 Crop irrigation
 Facility investigation

Read more: How To Become an Environmental Engineer

5. Transportation engineering

In a transportation engineering specialization, students learn how to

design networking systems that individuals use for traveling purposes,
including railroads, subways, airways and seaways. They study how to
develop infrastructure to help people move between locations safely and
efficiently, including pathway plans. Transportation engineering students
also learn how to modify natural environments to plan transportation
systems, like an artificial canal. When taking coursework, students
typically study physical science properties like applied force and lateral
force, which involves how earthquakes or wind storms may affect a
system's durability.

Here are some examples of projects a transportation engineering

graduate might complete:

 Airport design
 Traffic monitoring systems
 Automated public transit
 Bicycle path development
 Road access management
 Pedestrian bridges

Read more: How To Become a Transportation Engineer

6. Water resources engineering

Water resources engineering involves developing infrastructure for safe

drinking water in towns and cities. Students learn the hydrologic cycle,
which is how water molecules move between the atmosphere and the
earth over time. They use this knowledge of natural systems to design
water sanitation facilities and artificial lakes or ponds. This civil
engineering specialization also involves hydraulics, which refers to how
water moves through pipes and channels through natural forces in
physical science.

Consider the following examples of projects a water resources

engineering graduate might complete:

 Irrigation systems
 Water distribution centers
 Fishing facilities
 Waterways
 Plant nurseries
  Flood protection facilities

Related: A Definitive Guide to Water Engineering

7. Materials engineering

This specialization involves the study of all items and components

required for a construction project, such as wood, steel and concrete.
They may also study stones, soil, plastics and fabrics, depending on a
university program's requirements. Materials engineering students learn
the chemical properties of these items, which allows them to determine
the best possible materials for a project or adjust them on an atomic
level. For example, a professional might measure a component's ability to
handle heat or conduct electricity.

Graduates can work on a variety of different projects, as most

engineering endeavors require a type of material. Here are a few
examples of projects a materials engineering graduate might complete:

 Cement mixing
 Spacecraft design
 Welding processes
 Clothing design
 Sunscreen development
 Biodegradable product design

Related: Your Guide to the Materials Engineer Profession

Average salaries for civil engineering

specializations
Civil engineering specializations have varied salary figures that may
change according to an individual's education level, work experience and
geographical location. Here are the average salaries for the above civil
engineering specializations and related professions, according to Indeed
Salaries:
  Structural engineer: $85,404 per year
 Construction manager: $77,418 per year
 Geotechnical engineer: $70,492 per year
 Environmental engineer: $82,193 per year
 Transportation planner: $66,570 per year
 Hydraulic engineer: $80,311 per year
 Water resources engineer: $78,709 per year
 Materials engineer: $94,887 per year

Tips for choosing a civil engineering specialization

Consider the following tips for choosing a civil engineering specialization
at college:

 Evaluate your skill sets: Assessing your technical capabilities and

learning goals may help you narrow your options. For example, if
you're skilled in chemical analysis, you might benefit from a career
as a materials engineer.
 Assess your interests. Reflect on your hobbies and value system to
determine a career path that can lead to fulfillment. For instance, if
you express an interest in activism, education and sustainability,
you may enjoy an environmental engineering specialization.
 Apply for an internship. Many companies and research centers
offer internships to high school students and individuals with a
GED, which may help you learn which most appeals to your
interests. To find opportunities, you can connect with an academic
adviser or research options online.
 Consider job outlook and salary potential. Depending on your
long-term purchasing goals, it may be important to consider a
field's growth rates and the salary range you prefer. For example,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that civil engineering may
have an 8% growth rate in the next nine years.
 Connect with professionals. Consider asking an engineering
professional some questions about their specialization, including
about their work environment and day-to-day responsibilities. You
 can either ask a mentor you know personally or participate in a
networking activity.
 Take introductory courses. If you're already taking classes at a
college or university, you may benefit from taking a course on a
specialization's fundamentals. You can also bond with your
professor and classmates, who may help you find career
opportunities in the future.
 Use school resources. Academic advisors or career centers can
offer helpful advice and valuable insights when choosing a civil
engineering specialization to study. For instance, they can provide
an assessment tool or decision-making outline to help guide your
process.
 Review degree requirements. Reading the curriculums for each
specialization to learn which classes you can take can help you
determine what type of academic trajectory you prefer. Some
specializations offer more coursework, while others involve
independent projects or professional training opportunities.

[Link]