Environmental Engineering Majors Guide

What Does it Mean to Study Environmental Engineering?

Environmental engineers use principles of chemistry and biology to prevent or solve environmental problems. Environmental engineers possess a strong commitment to the environment and they enjoy a career that allows them to improve it. The most successful environmental engineers have backgrounds in math and science and are detail-oriented.

Professionals in this field work on issues like wastewater treatment, toxic materials control, and air quality control. Duties vary by project and can include collecting and analyzing data, performing quality control checks, and evaluating and devising solutions for environmental hazards.

A bachelor’s degree is required for most engineering positions-but for an environmental engineer, formal education rarely ends with an undergraduate degree. To stay current in their field, engineers often continue their education with master’s degrees and continuing education courses. Online environmental engineering degrees, found primarily at the master’s level, have become popular with working professionals who are ready to boost their careers but can’t take the time off from work for a traditional degree. These online courses are geared towards more experienced students who have mastered basic hands-on training and are ready to explore more advanced theory in the field.

According to 2014 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in the field of environmental engineering are expected to grow 15 percent through 2022. As climate change is finally accepted as a reality, there is great impetus around the world to find creative solutions for the environmental problems humans have caused. Environmental engineers will play a crucial role in helping the human race co-exist with the rest of the world in decades to come.

Types of Environmental Engineering Degrees

The majority of college degree programs in the field of environmental engineering exist at the bachelor’s and master’s level (particularly among online degree programs). Associate degrees and undergraduate certificate programs are less common.

Some colleges and universities offer advanced online certificates in environmental engineering studies. This certificate typically focuses on one aspect of environmental engineering and offers four to five courses in that area. It is intended for bachelor’s degree holders who wish to continue their education beyond the undergraduate level. It is not considered a graduate degree.

What Can You Do With a College Degree in Environmental Engineering?

Engineering Technician

An engineering technician is an assistant to an engineer or scientist. In the environmental engineering field, he is often responsible for assisting in research, collecting data, maintaining equipment, and assisting in the planning and execution of projects. Engineering technicians usually have an associate degree in engineering technology and are not required to have a license. An engineering technician may be required to work in a hazardous environment, such as dealing with nuclear waste removal or waste treatment.

Environmental Engineer

Environmental engineers resolve and help prevent environmental problems. They work in many areas, including air pollution control, industrial hygiene, toxic materials control, and land management. The duties of an environmental engineer range from planning and designing an effective waste treatment plant to studying the effects of acid rain on a particular area. An environmental engineer is sometimes required to work outdoors, though most of her work is done in a laboratory or office setting. Career opportunities for environmental engineers exist in consulting, research, corporate, and government positions.

At minimum, environmental engineers must possess a bachelor’s degree. Master’s degrees are strongly encouraged, but not required. Environmental engineers offering their services directly to the public must be licensed.

Engineering Manager

Engineering managers supervise engineers and support staff. They typically begin their careers as engineers and advance to the managerial level. Engineering managers are responsible for administrative work in addition to supervising staff and engineering projects; these tasks often involve budgeting, creation of policies and procedures, and the hiring and training of staff members. In the field of environmental engineering, most managers hold office jobs, though some may work in a laboratory setting. Engineering managers often receive benefits such as stock options and bonuses. In addition to their engineering degrees, they typically have some business or management training.

Environmental Sales Engineer

Environmental sales engineers are responsible for selling equipment and/or services related to the environmental engineering field. For example, a sales engineer in the environmental engineering field may be responsible for the sale of air pollution control products to factories. In addition to sales, they often assist with the design and modification of their products based on customer feedback.

Environmental Engineering Certification, Licensure and Associations

Environmental engineers are strongly encouraged to become Licensed Professional Engineers. Requirements for this licensure vary from state to state, but typically involve:

• graduation from an accredited engineering program,
• work experience, and
• completion of two examinations.

To qualify for licensure, the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology must accredit the engineering program you graduate from, so be sure to check this accreditation before enrolling in a degree program. Most engineers take the first examination, called Fundamentals of Engineering, upon graduation.

Experience in the engineering field is the next step on the road to licensure. Different states have different requirements regarding this work experience, so it is important to check with your state on its licensing requirements. Once you have earned the required work experience, you should be able to take the second examination: the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE). This examination is specific to your engineering field of expertise.

After completion of these steps, you may apply for licensure with the licensing board in your state. When you receive your license, you are considered a Professional Engineer, or P.E. Licensed professional engineers are the only engineers allowed to offer their services to the general public. You must possess your P.E. certification before you sign and seal any plans.

In many states, engineers are required to maintain licensure through completion of professional development hours. Examples of professional development hours include:

• Attendance at applicable conferences or seminars
• Published professional papers, articles or books
• Participation in professional societies
• College or continuing education credits

The amount of professional development hours required for maintaining licensure varies by state.

Other Associations and Certification Bodies

• Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology
• Air & Waste Management Association
• American Academy of Environmental Engineers
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• American Public Health Association
• American Public Works Association
• American Society for Engineering Education
• American Society of Agricultural Engineers
• American Society of Civil Engineers
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• American Water Works Association
• Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards
• National Society of Professional Engineers
• Solid Waste Association of North America
• Water Environment Federation