RIT Launches New Certificate Program for In-demand Civil Engineers

They’re the people who design and supervise construction of our roads, bridges, buildings and other vital public infrastructures. And they’re in high demand.

Civil engineers work in one of the fastest growing employment fields in the United States with average annual growth near 30 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By some accounts, the strongest growth in civil engineering in two decades is spurring intense competition for employees and increased starting salaries for recent college graduates.

Helping meet the demand, Rochester Institute of Technology’s civil engineering technology team has created a certificate in structural design.

\"Structural engineers are in high demand to design and build new infrastructures and rehabilitate existing ones,\" says Abi Aghayere, RIT assistant professor of civil engineering technology, who initiated development of the new certificate program.

The program targets employed architects and civil engineers holding bachelor’s or associate’s degrees. \"This unique program will benefit those who are already working and who want to focus on advanced knowledge in structural design,\" Aghayere says.

Two of five courses that comprise the certificate program—applied mechanics and structural steel design—are already offered. Other courses in the 20-credit-hour program are structural analysis, timber design and reinforced concrete design. All will be offered at least once a year during fall, winter and spring quarters and can be completed on campus or through distance learning.

RIT’s civil engineering technology program, one of only two in New York state, and new certificate in structural design are programs of RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology.