Research degree programs in civil engineering. Visit college and university websites and request further information on programs most compatible with your interests and career goals. Schedule campus visits so you can meet faculty and ask questions about their civil engineering programs. Use this information to help you narrow your choices.
Apply to the civil engineering programs that best suit your needs. There are several subfields within civil engineering, so you should apply to schools that are academically strong in your subfield of interest. If you are unsure about specializing, apply to schools with a broad civil engineering curriculum.
Accept an offer of admission to one of the civil engineering programs you pursued during the application process. When accepting an admissions offer, consider how this decision may affect your future career. Consider financial aid, job placement rates, length of time to complete a degree and quality of faculty.
Enroll in courses required for your major. Take all courses seriously, even those not directly related to civil engineering. In addition to general university requirements, civil engineering programs consist of courses in physics, mathematics, design and other classes related to the student's subfield of choice. For example, if you decide to focus on environmental engineering, you may also need to take environmental biology and public health courses.
Find a tutor if you are struggling in a course. This is especially important in the early stages of your program when courses focus on foundational knowledge that you will need for any subfield of civil engineering. Ask you academic adviser if the university provides free tutoring services.
Find an internship or entry-level job with a government-funded construction project or a business's engineering department before you graduate. Your college or university may offer academic credit for completion of an engineering internship, and this is often the final step in training before graduation. Participation in one of these career preparation programs will also enhance your resume.