Civil Engineering

Program Description

Students interested in KU’s Engineering programs need to work closely with advisors at both JCCC and KU. This helps students stay on track and not prolong the time it takes to earn an engineering bachelor’s degree from KU. Students are advised to complete the Kansas Systemwide General Education requirements, and the prerequisite courses listed on the transfer guide. Students are also encouraged to use the Reverse Transfer option (if eligible) after transferring to KU.  The Reverse Transfer allows students to earn their associate degree from JCCC while working towards their bachelor’s degree at KU. 

Civil engineering (CE), the oldest and broadest of the divisions of engineering, implements a range of public and private projects for improving society’s physical infrastructure and the environment. The civil engineer integrates scientific principles with engineering experience to plan, design, and construct networks of highways and railroads, airports, bridges and dams, environmental pollution control systems, industrial structures, water purification and distribution systems, and urban transportation systems that maintain, protect, and enhance the quality of life. Civil engineers are trained to consider the social effects as well as the physical and environmental factors that constrain the planning, design, construction, and operation of their projects. Environmental engineering, a technical specialization with its origins in civil engineering, is a growing discipline dedicated to the protection of the environment. 

Admission Requirements

• Admission to The University of Kansas is required, along with the following, for admission to the KU School of Engineering as a transfer student:

1. 2.5+ cumulative college GPA
2. “C” or better in MATH 125 Calculus I, or its direct equivalent (MATH 241 Calculus I* at JCCC)
3. “C” or better in all math, science and engineering coursework

• The Application deadline for the School of Engineering is May 1 for summer and fall: December 1 for spring.
• Admission is selective. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
• Timely completion of prerequisite courses is imperative due to tight sequencing of major courses. Consult KU catalog and seek KU advising early.
• The B.S. in Civil Engineering is an ABET accredited program.
• A total of 128 credit hours is required for the B.S. in Civil Engineering. Students may identify broad concentrations in either general civil engineering or environmental engineering. Within these, students may choose elective courses to permit additional exposure to selected areas of civil or environmental engineering such as transportation, structural, geotechnical, environmental, and water resource engineering. In environmental engineering, electives may be selected to focus on water quality and treatment, bioremediation, solid and hazardous wastes, air quality, and air pollution control.
• A maximum of 75 hours may be transferred to KU from community colleges. Students should be aware that 45 junior/senior credit hours are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree; the last 30 hours of course work must be at KU; and community college courses do not transfer as junior/senior hours.
• Transfer students will have their applications to the School of Engineering evaluated on a case-by- case basis and must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be considered.
• Transfer credits must have a grade of “C” or higher to be applied toward the degree.
• Civil Engineering does not accept Credit/No Credit. This is not an option for any credits counting towards the degree.
• Students must take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam prior to graduation.
• Students transferring to KU, that complete the General Education requirements required for the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from JCCC will be considered to have satisfied KU’s Core 34 general education curriculum.   
• Students who transfer to KU, without completing the General Education requirements required for the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree will have courses evaluated on a course-by-course basis toward meeting KU requirements. To learn more about courses that satisfy KU Core 34 Requirements and KU CredTran.  
• Visit the KU Core 34 General Education guide for JCCC equivalents.