Photo above: Mechanical Engineering major Cadet Peyton Campbell, ’20, working in a lab on The Citadel campus in 2019.

Whether the goal is to become a civil, computer, construction, electrical or mechanical engineer, The Citadel School of Engineering continues to be one of the top programs in America when it comes to delivering successful outcomes for cadets and students. Close to 99% of engineering cadets and students have jobs within six months of graduation, according to the school’s department heads who track their graduates’ outcomes.

The Citadel School of Engineering, one of the oldest engineering programs in America, was recently reaccredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), and is ranked as the 16th “Best Undergraduate Engineering Program,” nationwide, by U.S. News & World Report.

The benefits and quality of the engineering degrees offered by The Citadel are judged not only by the success of the college’s graduates, but they are reviewed in detail by ABET’s evaluators every six years.

The Citadel School of Engineering offers five undergraduate and four graduate degrees. Additionally, the school offers 13 professional engineering certificates.

• Civil and Environmental Engineering (repeatedly ranked in top 10 Civil Engineering programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report)
• Computer Engineering (the first students in this new program will graduate in May of 2023, with an ABET accreditation visit scheduled for the following fall)
• Construction Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering (the largest program in the school)

ABET noted program strengths

The ABET assessments are focused on continuous improvement as the key to ensuring that the programs accredited are preparing students to graduate ready to enter the workforce. The process required the School of Engineering to provide an exhaustive, ongoing self-assessment, supported by onsite evaluations with each accreditation cycle.

Some of the comments from the ABET evaluation team are as follows:

Civil Engineering

“The program requires that all students take the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Fundamentals of Engineering exam prior to graduation, a requirement that is not widely included in other civil engineering programs. Results from this exam are used as part of the assessment process. This examination requirement helps to reinforce an appreciation for the importance of licensure, while providing a head start on achieving.”

Construction Engineering

“In their final semester, all seniors enroll in a practicum course involving a community-based project, currently connected to Habitat for Humanity. Inclusion of all program students in such an experience is rarely seen. This opportunity to participate in construction activities and to practice communications and project reporting on as real world situation strengthens students’ preparation for work after graduation.”

Electrical Engineering

“The program has a rich curriculum that not only provides technical competence but emphasizes principled leadership as part of The Citadel Experience, where most students take on increasing responsibilities as they progress through the program. The majority of the program’s undergraduates, the South Carolina Corps of Cadets student cohort, is enrolled in the ROTC program and takes leadership courses as a part of the expanded curriculum, in addition to the 125 credit hours in the Electrical Engineering program. This enhanced training provides students with a strong leadership foundation after graduation.”

Mechanical Engineering

“Small class sizes and the obvious collegiality between the faculty and the students, coupled with the faculty enjoyment of teaching and interaction with the students, strongly strengthen student learning in the program.”

Want to know more?

The Citadel Civil Engineering program earned its first accreditation in 1936. The reaccreditation for all of the schools engineering programs remains in effect until the fall of 2027.

To learn more about The Citadel’s engineering offerings, or to apply, please visit the website here.