Preparing for a Career in Civil Engineering
Preparing for a Career in Civil Engineering

Preparing for a Career in Civil Engineering

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Preparing for a Career in Civil Engineering

Gains in the housing market and a push for improving U.S. infrastructure, as well as companies like Amazon looking to expand their geographic footprint, make this a compelling time in the civil engineering world.

Now it’s a very good time to further your education and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. Here’s an overview of what’s happening in the industry—and what you can expect as you earn your Master of Science in Civil Engineering, available 100% online from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at UofL.

What trends are impacting construction engineering?

In an economy that has seen a lot of flux over the last decade, value still rules the day. Here is an example of how this reality has impacted construction engineering trends — and what tomorrow’s civil engineers may be focused on, according to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

  • Single-design Models shave 20% or more off construction projects by allowing all facets of the engineering, drafting and coordination to be completed under one roof.
  • Prefabrication used to assemble materials off-site is helping construction teams improve project schedules by taking basic construction out of the field. More fabrication is happening before construction elements even show up to the job site.
  • Energy Efficiency is driven by new technologies that allow finished projects to be smarter than ever. For example, sensors regulate energy consumption based on zones, scheduled usage and seasonal considerations.
  • Permanent Modular Construction offers new opportunities to have templated projects go up quickly, eliminating the extra time typically allocated for such work — and with similar or better quality. This is particularly appealing for replicated projects like barracks or storage units, as well as fast-food or retail pop-ups and other scalable outbuildings.

Is the civil engineering industry growing?

Commercial, public and nonresidential projects are on the upswing, fueled by significant industry recovery in recent years. Industry growth is tracking ahead of overall growth across all jobs, a good sign for the immediate future, according to projections from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

What can I expect to earn annually?

According to BLS.gov, the annual salary for a civil engineer in 2016 was over $83,000. This is an averaged salary; your earning may vary based on the scope of your work, experience and the area in which you live.

Will earning my master’s degree in civil engineering help me?

There was a 60% increase in the mandatory requirement for a master’s degree on civil engineering job postings published between 2014 and 2015 (Labor Insights).

Moreover, a strategic initiative called “Raise the Bar” backed by the American Society of Civil Engineers has been designed to advance the profession by raising educational requirements for licensing future engineers. Specifically, “Raise the Bar” recommends that state licensure laws better protect public safety and community welfare by requiring all new civil engineers to hold a master’s degree in engineering or 30 graduate credit hours, beyond the four-year undergraduate degree. ASCE believes the complex challenges facing the industry demand an advancement in technical excellence and professional leadership, with a particular emphasis on growing fields like sustainability, computer applications, advanced materials or nanotechnology.

Earning a master’s degree can help you stay competitive and marketable in the field, secure your current position or advance your career as opportunities for a better job arise.

The master’s in civil engineering program at the University of Louisville can help you align your education with the industry trends and job demands of the future. Our Master of Science in Civil Engineering is offered through J.B. Speed School of Engineering, recently ranked as one of the best graduate schools for engineering in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report. With our 100% online degree, you have the flexibility to maintain your professional and personal life, while joining UofL’s learning community from anywhere in the world.

If you have already earned your bachelor’s in civil engineering, you can take advantage of this online degree program now to enhance your skills and expertise within the civil engineering profession.

Learn more and apply today to start down the path to Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree!

About UofL Online Learning

The University of Louisville currently offers online programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.

The University of Louisville is a nationally-recognized, metropolitan research university, with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.

Building the Best Workforce and Business Leaders
Building the Best Workforce and Business Leaders

Building the Best Workforce and Business Leaders

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Building the Best Workforce and Business Leaders
Pursuing your online bachelor’s in organizational leadership (BSOLL) from University of Louisville is a strong first step to grow as a leader. As you look toward applying your knowledge to the workplace, don’t be taken by surprise. For many new business leaders, the workplace of tomorrow will look a little different.

Gone are the days of business suits, dedicated desks and rigid standards. Even brick-and-mortar offices are on the outs. Iconic companies like Google are pioneering a fresh approach to attract a new talent pool — Millennials and Gen Z.

Consider the signs of change you’re probably already seeing:

  • A young workforce. Millennials grew to become the majority of the national workforce in 2015, and Gen Z workers are close behind. That means major change is on the way. Your leadership tactics must anticipate change.
  • Shifting works styles and expectations. New workers have a greater desire to influence their work environment, often by defying corporate structure or defining work standards that embrace a more relaxed approach. Frankly, many younger workers have no patience for “the way it’s always been done.”
  • Early tech adoption. New tech tools are infiltrating the office, and not just in the IT department. You may already be using tech-based workflow solutions such as Slack and Trello. This will only continue.
  • New ways of thinking. Office culture is changing. Emphasis is shifting toward more transparency, more mobility and worker input in daily operations. Flexible hours, 360-degree training and the creation of mentors (not managers) are just a few examples.

The organizational leadership and learning curriculum crafted by UofL faculty anticipates these shifting workplace dynamics. Courses are developed around ways the business world is changing — the ways you’ll realistically apply the knowledge you gain through your online degree. Here are a few course highlights that emphasize proactive leadership in the workforce:

  • ELFH 300 Prior Learning Assessment (Portfolio Class)
    First of all, take credit for the experience you have already gained on the job. Based on your professional experience, you can earn up to 48 credits tuition free!
  • ELFH 412 Coaching and Talent Management
    Understand the knowledge, skills and dispositions for new leaders in talent management, career development and coaching. You’ll learn the best ways to maximize team performance and reach key goals for each individual and the organization overall.
  • ELFH 414 Diversity
    Explore the challenges and rewards of differences within your workplaces. You’ll focus on the application of cultural competence and diversity solutions within a changing office environment.
  • ELFH 420 Negotiation and Conflict Management
    Understand the nature of conflict (types, sources and processes) with special emphasis on organizational conflict and how it’s evolving. You’ll gain skills in negotiation, mediation and alternative dispute resolution options.
  • ELFH 442 Supporting Organizational Change
    Anticipate the course of change! You’ll discuss causes of change in your organization and the professional and personal competencies you can bring to the table to support healthy change.

Enroll at University of Louisville Today

Put your experience to work and start down the path to becoming a great business leader. Learn more about UofL’s online bachelor’s in organizational leadership and learning.

About UofL Online Learning

The University of Louisville currently offers online programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.

The University of Louisville is a nationally-recognized, metropolitan research university, with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.

Engineering Management - A Career in Profile
Engineering Management: A Career in Profile

Engineering Management: A Career in Profile

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Engineering Management - A Career in Profile

How do you know if Engineering Management is right for you? That depends on your goals, personality, and desire to move into leadership roles. An engineering manager guides projects from conception to completion and sets the milestones that lead the team to success. Imagine taking a step back from design and implementation and working with people involved in all steps of a project. Does this sound like where you want to be?

A Master of Engineering in Engineering Management degree, available 100% online from UofL, brings together the skills and talents of great engineers and excellent managers. With a focus on business practice, this degree marries the technological and analytical savvy of an engineer with the organizational and tactical abilities of a manager.

A good engineering management candidate has all the characteristic of a dedicated engineer. Whether you’re drawn to design, development, construction or evaluation – and no matter what kind of structure or machine you’re focused on – engineering requires a strong command of math and science.

Engineering managers complement the technical side of engineering with a thorough knowledge of the best practices in business as a whole. Financial management, risk analysis and intellectual property law play a significant part in the role of an engineering manager.

Potential Careers for Engineering Managers

Graduates from UofL’s online engineering management program can apply their credentials to various fields and positions. In the past, these have included:

  • Civil/construction engineering
  • Health care engineering
  • Logistics/distribution engineering
  • Manufacturing engineering
  • Computer and electronic product manufacturing
  • Pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing
  • Transportation equipment manufacturing
  • Biomedical engineering
  • Environmental engineering
  • Aeronautical engineering
  • Chemical and petro-chemical engineering
  • Federal, state, and local government positions

Earning Potential in Engineering Management

According to BLS.gov, the annual median salary for architectural and engineering managers in 2016 was $134,730. Relative to all management occupations, the median for engineering managers was nearly $34,000 higher.

How UofL’s Engineering Management Degree Can Help Advance Your Career

UofL’s online master’s in engineering management is designed for professionals with a bachelor’s in engineering or a hard science who want to develop superior skills in managing engineering projects. The program comprises 10 courses — thirty credit hours — that build upon prior engineering education and experience in the industry.

All courses in the engineering management program are taught 100% online. This allows students to earn their engineering management degree regardless of their location or current life situation. Students can be working or living in the U.S., or any other location worldwide.

The degree can be earned in as few as two years (24 months). Students can transfer up to six (6) credit hours from another graduate engineering program at UofL or from a regionally accredited institution, subject to department approval.

Learn more about the online Master of Engineering in Engineering Management degree from UofL.

About UofL Online Learning

The University of Louisville currently offers online programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.

The University of Louisville is a nationally-recognized, metropolitan research university, with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.

Exploring Competency-Based Education at University of Louisville
Exploring Competency-Based Education at University of Louisville

Exploring Competency-Based Education at University of Louisville

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Exploring Competency-Based Education at University of Louisville

Returning to school and earning your degree can open new doors in your career. For students balancing family, work and school, though, the time commitment can seem daunting. Fortunately, UofL’s Healthcare Leadership track of the Bachelor of Science in Organization Leadership and Learning degree program is offered 100% online, allowing students to fit the classroom into their own busy lives.

The healthcare track also incorporates a Competency-Based Education model (CBE) which can help speed your path to graduation in three important ways.

How Does Competency-Based Education Work?

The driving force behind the Competency-Based Education model is to award credit for what students have already learned inside and outside the classroom. The aim is to make finishing your bachelor’s degree as easy as 1-2-3.

1) CBE rewards your previous college work

Whether you have started or even completed your associate’s degree, or have earned credit at a four-year college, applicants to the Healthcare Leadership program are eligible to transfer over 36 credit hours towards the general education requirements of your degree.

2) CBE gives credit for on-the-job knowledge

The Healthcare Leadership track of the Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership and Learning degree begins with a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) that allows students to demonstrate their professional knowledge and earn up to 48 credit hours tuition-free.

3) CBE allows you to set the pace

After transferring credits and completing the PLA, students may take the core curriculum of the Healthcare Leadership (36 credit hours) track in a competency-based model. There are also two enrollment paths available, offering varying degrees of flexibility:

  • Flex Pace: Students have 32 weeks to move through the program materials at their own pace, providing more flexibility and self-direction.
  • Set Pace: Students enroll in 8-week courses and complete each course within a pre-determined time frame, offering the benefits of accelerated courses within a more traditional university structure.

Your Degree is Nearer Than You Think

Between transfer credits, on-the-job knowledge and competency-based coursework, the Healthcare Leadership bachelor’s program is designed to bring your career and education goals within reach.

The Healthcare Leadership program at University of Louisville starts the first Tuesday of every month except December, so you can begin the next chapter of your career right away. Visit the online program’s homepage to learn more and apply today!

About UofL Online Learning

The University of Louisville currently offers online programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.

The University of Louisville is a nationally-recognized, metropolitan research university, with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.

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