About Civil Engineering Construction Technology

The heavy civil engineering construction industry provides tremendous career advancement, including transformational financial growth. 

The theory and hands-on field portions of this program will allow students to develop the skills to work in the construction of roadways, municipal and state infrastructure projects, underground utilities, horizontal site development, and construction of water and wastewater infrastructures.

If you like to work outside with innovative equipment, civil construction is right for you. There will also be opportunities to gain field experience during a summer internship. 


What you’ll learn

Prepare construction schedule from detailed drawings and structural features of highways, bridges, or drawings used in civil engineering projects. Use knowledge of heavy civil construction processes, procedures, uses of building materials, aggregates and engineering practices to work in the construction of roadways, municipal and state infrastructure, underground utilities, energy, horizontal site development, materials production and application, and construction of water and wastewater infrastructures.


Sample Job Titles 

Field Technician, Paving Crew Member, Pipe Layer, Bridge Crew Member, Junior Project Manager, Junior Estimator, Pipe Foreman, Horizontal Construction Foreman, Paving Superintendent, Bridge Superintendent/Project Manager, Project Foreman, Associate Heavy Civil Engineer, Field Engineer

Essential Skills Needed

This program requires a variety of foundational skills for students to thrive. Click the button below to view the full list of essential skills you’ll need before enrolling.

Location
Thaddeus Stevens College at Greenfield

Type of program
Associate Degree

Length of program
2 years, 74 credits

Job/Salary Outlook
See industry data

Cost of program
$4,500/semester tuition
$3,105 – $3,623/semester housing
$1,915 – $2,417/semester meal plan

Tool List (PDF)

Program details

Courses

The model schedule for the Civil Engineering Construction Technology program is outlined below.

  • CIVL 101             Principles of Civil Engineering Construction Technology (3 credits)
  • CIVL 105            Job Site & Traffic Safety (3 credits)
  • CIVL 110             Construction Drawings, Site Plans, Specifications (3 credits)
  • CIVL 115             Construction Survey I (3 credits)
  • ENGLISH 106     English Composition (3 credits)
  • MATH 126          Technical Math I or Higher (3 credits)
  • CIVL 150 Erosion & Sediment Control (3 credits)
  • CIVL 155 Utility Installation I (3 credits)
  • CIVL 160 GPS Fundamentals (3 credits)
  • CIVL 165 Construction Survey II (3 credits)
  • CIS 105 Drawing with AutoCAD (3 credits)
  • MATH 132 Elementary Geometry or Higher (3 credits)
  • CIVL 205 Earthwork Fundamentals (3 credits)
  • CIVL 210 Engineering Materials and Processes (3 credits)
  • CIVL 215 Utility Installation II (3 credits)
  • CIVL 220 Site Grading Designs & Grading Types (3 credits)
  • SCIENCE Elective (3 credits)
  • ENGLISH 216 Technical Report Writing or Public Speaking (222) (3 credits)
  • CIVL 255 Leadership, Ethics, and Legal Issues in Construction Management (3 credits)
  • CIVL 260 Cost Estimating, Project, and Field Construction Management (3 credits)
  • CIVL 265 Structured Concrete Operations (3 credits)
  • CIVL 270 Asphalt Paving Operations (3 credits)
  • HUMANITIES     Elective (3 credits)
  • GEN STUDIES    Elective (3 credits)

Additional General Education Requirements

  • Health/PE Elective (1 credit)

Total Credits 74

Faculty
Steven Simes first-year student Civil engineering construction technology instructor

Steven Simes

Instructor, Civil Engineering Construction Technology, First-Year Students, ’25
Mitchell Kauffman second-year student civil engineering construction technology instructor

Mitchell Kauffman

Instructor, Civil Engineering Construction Technology, Second-Year Students
Occupational Advisory Committee

The Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC) serves as a vital link between the Program of study and industry, ensuring that the program remains aligned with current workforce needs, technological advancements, and best practices in the field. Composed of employers, educators, and other community members, the committee provides guidance, feedback, and recommendations to enhance the curriculum, instructional methods, and student learning experiences.

Purpose and Responsibilities:

  • Curriculum & Industry Alignment
  • Workforce Readiness
  • Student & Faculty Support
  • Internship & Employment Connections
  • Accreditation & Program Evaluation
  • Facilities & Equipment Recommendations

By fostering a strong relationship between academia and industry, the OAC helps ensure that Thaddeus Stevens College programs maintain the highest standards in CTE (career and technical education). 

  • Nate Brenneman, Allan Myers 
  • Joe England, Allan Myers
  • Kevin Eshelman, SLC Excavating LLC
  • Jordan Keller, Brubacher Excavating Inc.
  • Dan MacArthur, Berg Construction
  • Brian Miller, ELA Group, Inc.
  • Glen Powell, Allan Myers
  • Craig Turnbaugh, self-employed
  • Brandon Rudolph, UGI
  • Joshua Jones, Urban Engineers
  • Kevin Mislan, LBWater/S3
  • Derrik Wolpert, York Excavating Company
  • Stayce Rowlands, Schlouch, Inc.
Faculty member Mitch Kauffman leads the College's Civil Engineering Construction Technology program. He is pictured standing near the class's quarry worksite with teo students, ready to learn.

The outcomes speak for themselves

Graduates of this program work in construction infrastructure, building roadways, installing underground utilities, or helping to erect bridges.


Performance Measures

This program has just graduated its first cohort in the Spring of 2024. Graduate surveys are conducted one year after graduation and 5 years after graduation. Data will be made public as it becomes available.


A Civil Engineering Technology student uses a square on a job site.

Our graduates work with the industry’s best

Allan Myers logo
Schlouch Inc logo
Brubaker Excavating logo
Berg Construction Logo
SLC excavating logo