professional infrastructure.
Online Graduate Certificate in Structural Engineering
The online Structural Engineering Certificate is designed for professionals with a bachelor’s in civil engineering who want to expand their working knowledge with highly-focused expertise.
Offered by the J.B. Speed School at the University of Louisville, this program delivers advanced technical knowledge in structural engineering areas such as masonry design, timber design and more to make you as more skilled engineer. Taught by industry-expert faculty, this is an excellent opportunity to expand your professional credentials with less time commitment than earning a master’s degree.
How Much Will I Pay?
Highlights
- Increase your marketability with a worldwide-recognized credential.
- Engage with the award-winning, full-time faculty from J.B. Speed School of Engineering.
- Take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of 100% online classes.
- Complete your certificate in just under a year of study.
- Skip the GRE – not required for admission into the certificate program.
- Apply certificate credits toward UofL’s online Master of Science in Civil Engineering (must apply and be admitted to the master’s program separately).
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
Complete this certificate on your own time through fully online classes.
Learn MoreTake only 4 courses to earn your SE certificate.
Learn MoreEarn a valuable industry-specific credential in less than a year!
Program Director Dr. Zhihui Sun talks about the value of earning a specialized certificate in civil engineering—and how it can help you excel in your career.
Outcomes
Due mainly to the aging domestic infrastructure, civil engineering job opportunities are poised to grow 11% through 2026 (BLS.gov). With training in and education in structural engineering, civil engineers can stand out in the marketplace as they seek employment in fields such as structural, forensic structural, project management, commercial/non-residential, structural design, public works and many other areas.
| Preferred Application Deadline | Term | Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| August 1 | Fall | August |
| November 15 | Spring | January |
| April 1 | Summer | May |
Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.
Steps to Apply
- Complete graduate application
- Submit $40 non-refundable application free
- Request official transcripts certifying the undergraduate degree from an accredited institution*
- Electronic (recommended):
gradadm@louisville.edu - Physical Mail:
University of Louisville,
Graduate Admissions
2211 S Brook St
Louisville, KY 40292;
- Electronic (recommended):
- Check for Scholarships
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution*
- Minimum GPA of 2.75
* A BS in Civil Engineering or equivalent is preferred. Applicants with similar degrees will be considered on a case by case basis
International Students – Additional Notes/Requirements
- Bachelor's degrees earned internationally must be assessed to ensure that entrance requirements are met.
- If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to view special requirements for international students.
- A minimum total TOEFL score of 79 or an overall IELTS minimum score of 6.5 or Duolingo English Test minimum score of 105 for all foreign students from counties in which English is not the native language.
- International students will not be issued a U.S. visa if admitted to the online structural transportation certificate program, since there are no campus attendance requirements.
For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselor at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.
The Structural Engineering Certificate is comprised of 4 courses (3 required core courses and 1 elective) for a total of 12 credit hours. The program is 100% online. Courses are asynchronous, delivered in standard term lengths.
Core Options
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| CEE 522 Fundamentals of Prestressed Concrete | 3 |
| CEE 524 Bridge Design | 3 |
|
CEE 523 Timber Design OR CEE 626 Masonry Design |
3 |
| Total Required Hours | 9 |
Elective Courses
| Course [choose 1] | Hours |
|---|---|
| CEE 523 Timber Design | 3 |
| CEE 626 Masonry Design | 3 |
| CEE 665 Pavement Design | 3 |
| CEE 694 Special Topics: Building Information Modeling | 3 |
Explore course options in the master’s degree in civil engineering.
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
Course Descriptions
-
I do not have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, but I work in the field. Can I still apply?Currently we require a bachelor’s degree in civil or structural engineering from an accredited college or university for admission into the online Graduate Certificate in Structural Engineering program. If your undergraduate degree is very similar to a degree in civil or structural engineering, you can consult with Leigh Ann Elles, Assistant Director of Engineering Graduate Programs at leigh.elles@louisville.edu to see if your previous educational and professional background matches the requirements needed for admittance.
-
Is the Graduate Certificate in Structural Engineering ABET-accredited?No, typically bachelor's-level engineering programs are ABET-accredited while master's and graduate certificate-level engineering programs are typically not ABET-accredited. The University of Louisville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
-
What are the admissions requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Structural Engineering?A prospective student must have a bachelor’s degree in civil or structural engineering from an accredited college or university with a graduating GPA of 2.75 or higher to be admitted into the Graduate Certificate in Structural Engineering program at UofL. Additionally, prospective students will need to complete a graduate application and submit official transcripts certifying an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
-
Can my certificate credits in the Graduate Certificate in Structural Engineering count towards the online Master of Science in Civil Engineering?Yes, you can apply credit hours from the certificate in structural engineering towards UofL’s online Master of Science in Civil Engineering. However, you will need to apply and be admitted to the master’s program separately. For more information on the credit hours that can be applied from the Graduate Certificate in Structural Engineering towards the Master of Science in Civil Engineering, contact Leigh Ann Elles, Assistant Director of Engineering Graduate Programs at leigh.elles@louisville.edu.