collageA Bachelor’s degree is a degree awarded by universities and colleges. In order to earn a bachelor’s degree, you must complete the necessary courses that may last three to seven years depending on your institution of enrollment.
Structural engineers play a vital role in any new construction project, as they ensure that the buildings are erected in a safe and stable manner. Structural engineering courses focus on growing and enhancing the skills students need to pursue careers in this field.
To become a structural engineer, earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or a related field. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and complete a four-year progressive internship or apprenticeship program under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer (PE).
What does a structural engineer do?
A structural engineer is responsible for designing and constructing physical structures to withstand external pressures. They are concerned with ensuring the integrity of each element of a structure, such as beams, foundations, columns and floors. Their job involves securing the safety of several different types of structures such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, towers and dams. They also improve the integrity of existing structures. Structural engineering is a specialty of civil engineering, and people who want to practice structural engineering have to take certification exams. A structural engineering certification licenses them to offer engineering services to the public.
Some responsibilities of structural engineers include:
- Preparing building designs and calculating the load and stress that a building can withstand
- Using computer-aided software to calculate a building’s reaction to weather
- Obtaining the regulatory permits for construction of a building
- Preparing cost estimates of structures and selecting materials for a building
- Supervising building construction and advising project managers
- Liaising with other professionals like architects, engineers and builders to deliver a project
- Managing projects and administering contracts
Average salary
A structural engineer’s salary varies depending on experience, employer, knowledge and qualifications. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the salary link.
- Common salary in the U.S.: $88,305 per year
- Some salaries range from $29,000 to $164,000 per year.
Structural engineer requirements
A structural engineer must complete years of training. If you want to become a structural engineer, consider the following requirements:
General Requirements
For graduation each student must satisfy general-education course requirements determined by the student’s college, as well as the major requirements determined by the department. The College System at UCSD require widely different general-education courses, and the number of such courses differs from one college to another. Each student should choose his or her college carefully, considering the special nature of the college and the breadth of general education.
The Structural Engineering B.S. program allows for general elective (GE) courses so that students can fulfill their college requirements. Students must develop a program that includes a total of at least twenty-four units in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, not including subjects such as accounting, industrial management, finance, or personnel administration. It should be noted, however, that some colleges may require more than the thirteen GE courses indicated in the curriculum table. Accordingly, students in these colleges may take longer to graduate than the indicated four-year schedule. Students must consult with their college to determine which GE courses to take.
Major Requirements
Specific course requirements for the major are outlined in a table herein. In addition to the required technical courses specifically indicated, a suggested scheduling of humanities and social science courses (GE) are distributed in the curricula for students to use to meet college general-education requirements. To graduate, students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.0, and the department requires at least a C- grade in each course required for the major. All courses required for the major must be taken for a letter grade, including all lower division math and science courses.
Deviations from the program of study must be approved by the Undergraduate Affairs Committee prior to taking alternative courses. In cases where a student needs to take a course outside UCSD, prior departmental approval is essential. Technical Elective (TE) courses are restricted to meet ABET standards. Courses such as SE 195, SE 197 and SE 198 are not allowed as technical electives in meeting the upper-division major requirements. SE 199 can be used as a technical elective only under restrictive conditions. Policies regarding these conditions may be found in the Undergraduate Handbook available on this website.
Students with different academic preparations may vary the scheduling of lower-division courses such as math, physics and chemistry, but should consult the department prior to doing so. Deviations in scheduling lower-division Structural Engineering courses are discouraged due to scheduling constraints. It is strongly advised that students taking courses outside UCSD seek prior approval from the appropriate departments before doing so. A tentative schedule of course offerings is available from the department each spring quarter for the following academic year.
Structural Engineering
All courses required for the major must be taken for a letter grade, including all lower division math and science courses.
| Fall Quarter | Winter Quarter | Spring Quarter | |
| Freshman Year | Math 20A Calculus I | Math 20B Calculus II | Math 20C Calculus III |
| SE 1 Intro to Structures | GE | SE 3 Engin. Graphic Design | |
| Chem 6A Gen Chem I | Phys 2A Mechanics | Phys 2B/2BL Elec & Magnetism | |
| Gen Ed | Gen Ed | Gen Ed | |
| Sophomore Year | Math 20D Diff Equations | Math 18 Linear Algebra | Math 20E Vector Calculus |
| SE 101A Statics | SE 101B Dynamics | SE 9 MatLab | |
| Phys 2C/2CL Fluids & Thermo | SE 110A Solid Mechanics I | SE 110B Solid Mechanics II | |
| Gen Ed | Gen Ed | SE 105 Structural Materials | |
| Junior Year | SE 101C Vibrations | SE 115 Fluid Mechanics | SE 131A Finite Element Analysis |
| SE 125 Stats & Probability | SE 102 Computing for Engin. | SE 130B Structural Analysis II | |
| SE 130A Structural Analysis I | Focus Sequence | Focus Sequence | |
| Gen Ed | Gen Ed | Gen Ed | |
| Senior Year | SE 131B Computing in SE | Capstone Class | Capstone Class |
| Focus Sequence | Focus Sequence | Technical Elective | |
| Technical Elective | Technical Elective | Gen Ed | |
| Gen Ed | Gen Ed | Gen Ed |
Gen Ed: General education/college requirement.
Focus sequence courses: Students must take one full focus sequence (FS) in either Civil Structures, Aerospace Structures, Structural Health Monitoring/Non-Destructive Evaluation (SHM/NDE), or Geotechnical Engineering. See the link below for additional information on the Focus Sequence requirements.
Technical elective course: Students must take three technical electives (TE) courses chosen from a preapproved list.
Capstone Classes: Most students take either SE 140A/B or SE 143A/B depending on their chosen focus sequence with the exception of students completing the Structural Health Monitoring/Non-Destructive Evaluation (SHM/NDE) focus sequence.
Education
Structural engineers need a bachelor’s degree in structural engineering or civil engineering. They study subjects like mechanics of materials, engineering hydraulics and structural steel design. The college should be accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
To increase employability as well as their knowledge and skills, structural engineers can choose to pursue a master’s degree as well.
Training
Structural engineers start their career as an Engineer in Training (EIT) with an accredited employer after completing three years in an accredited engineering program and passing the six-hour Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination. This on-the-job training allows them to gain first-hand experience in engineering as they work towards completing their bachelor’s degree and prepare to earn their Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. The EIT periods lasts until the engineer earns their PE license, usually for four or five years.
Certifications
Certification as a structural engineer qualifies you to practice as a recognized engineering professional, and most states require a state license as well. The following certifications and licenses are critical to anyone seeking a career as a structural engineer:
Fundamental Engineering certification (FE)
The Structural Engineering Certification Board offers this certification as a means of providing national certification for all jurisdictions. Engineering students take this exam after completing the third year of their degree program. It qualifies them to start the Engineer in Training program (EIT). The exam tests the understanding of fundamental engineering concepts. It is a multiple-choice exam that lasts for eight hours and is the first step toward becoming a professionally licensed engineer.
Principles and Practice of Engineering license (PE)
Professional licensure as a structural engineer is awarded through the National Council of Structural Engineers Association. This certification is available to individuals who have worked for four years post-graduation in their chosen field. Before awarding the license, the engineer should have written and passed the certification exams. The PE license signifies that an engineer has mastered the principles of practice and can offer services to the public.
Structural Engineering license (SE)
In an effort to increase the standards required for structural engineers to ensure the safety of structures, many states now require engineers to have the SE license through the American Society of Civil Engineers to perform certain types of structural work. Requirements for the license vary by state, so check with your state licensure board to find out the requirements in your area. Generally, engineers will need to have their PE licensure before they can obtain their SE licensure.
Skills
Structural engineers typically need the following skills:
- Analytical skills: A structural engineer analyzes facts and figures before making judgments, such as correcting problematic structures. The ability to analyze presented facts to find solutions is a required skill for this profession.
- Organization: People who practice structural engineering need to be organized because they design structures that will be built. Strong organization skills help them to know the order of procedure for the delivery of their projects.
- Attention to detail: Structural engineers need to be detail-oriented because they design the fundamental structures that hold a building in place, so a small mistake could be costly. Attention to detail minimizes mistakes.
- Math skills: A structural engineering job requires good mathematical skills, as it will require using the principles of both mathematics and physics to design structurally sound projects.
- Problem-solving: Structural engineers use problem-solving skills to create solutions to faulty building plans or existing structures with issues.
- Leadership skills: These professionals are often project managers. A project manager’s work involves managing a team and ensuring it delivers a project according to agreed timelines.
- Communication skills: Structural engineers need to communicate designs and reports through presentations and in writing. They also need to effectively discuss needs and project statuses with clients.
- Computer skills: Structural engineer work requires design and calculation using software such as AutoCAD and RISA. These professionals should also be familiar with using email, word processing and spreadsheets.
Structural engineer work environment
Structural engineers may work in a variety of environments such as construction companies, utility companies, government establishments and engineering consulting firms. A structural engineer often works both in an office environment and on project sites as needed. Job locations can vary from metropolitan to rural areas, and their job may require travel if the client’s projects are not in the same city. Structural engineers usually work full time during standard business hours, although they may need to work overtime to meet specific deadlines as needed by their project. Common office equipment includes computers, phones and design software.
How to become a structural engineer
Use these steps to pursue a career as a structural engineer:
1. Earn a degree.
To become a structural engineer, you will need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Many students choose to pursue a master’s degree or to complete a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program that can be done in five years.
2. Get your FE certification.
After you complete the third year of your bachelor’s degree program, you can take the fundamentals of engineering exam. Passing this exam will license you to begin working as an EIT while you continue to work on completing your bachelor’s or master’s degree program.
3. Complete the EIT program.
During the EIT program, you will practice with professionals and learn on the job. At the end of your fourth year of working as an EIT, you will begin to prepare to take the exams that will qualify you as a professional engineer.
4. Complete your licensure.
After you have completed four years in an EIT program, you should qualify to take the exams for the licenses you will need to perform structural engineering work on your own. Requirements for licensure vary by state, so it is important to check with your state’s licensing board to determine whether you need the PE license, the SE license or both.
5. Consider joining professional organizations.
Becoming a member of professional engineering organizations, such as the Institute of Structural Engineers, can boost your resume, provide networking and continuing education opportunities and helps to show your interest in your profession.
6. Prepare your resume.
Once you have earned the appropriate licenses, create a resume that highlights the education, training and certification you have received. Focus on the experience you have gained in your EIT program and make sure your resume states the degree and licenses you have earned.
7. Apply to a structural engineer position.
You can search for available structural engineer job openings and apply to these positions online. When reviewing job postings, pay close attention to the skills, experiences and licensing the employer expects candidates to have to ensure you are a strong candidate for the position. Highlight keywords from the job description in your cover letter.
Structural engineer job description example
Abilene Construction Co. is looking for the services of a licensed structural engineer who will join our team of engineers to work on our expanding project portfolio. The structural engineer will manage project portfolios and see to their completion. Responsibilities include leading design teams to investigate structural defects and finding lasting solutions to them in addition to approving and helping to design new building plans. The structural engineer will use software to produce designs for client projects, present reports and teach engineers in training during site visits.
The successful candidate will display the following key attributes needed for someone to excel in this role: Attention to detail, computer skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, planning and organization. The ideal candidate should possess a bachelor’s degree in engineering — although a master’s degree is preferred. Candidates are required to have both the PE and SE licenses to be considered for this role.
collage