Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
The Civil Engineering Technology program is delivered through classroom lectures, computer labs, geotechnical labs and field surveying. We pride ourselves on providing you with supportive instruction in small classes led by knowledgeable instructors who have years of experience working in industry.
You can expect to spend on average 27 hours per week attending classes and labs over the course of the 2-year program, and approximately 20-45 hours per week studying, completing assignments and doing research.
Practicum/co-op/work experience
After your first semester of the Civil Engineering Technology program, you’ll have the option to apply for its co-op component.
If you’re accepted into the co-op program, you will work with a consulting engineering firm, civil engineering department or a building and infrastructure contracting firm. The scope of work may include planning, design, testing, inspection and supervision.
This work placement will provide you with practical work experience that will help you connect program theory to real-world application, help you develop your career skills and professionalism, and provide networking opportunities, setting you up for success after graduation.
30 students will be selected for the Co-Op Educational Stream based on academic achievement and need for work experience before graduation. The total length of the co-op program stream is 2.5 years, which includes 60 weeks of academic training and two 15-week work placements. Work placements occur from May through December.
Career Outcomes
Job Opportunities
- Chief Estimator
- Civil Engineering Technologist
- Construction Superintendent
- Lab Technologist
- Project Inspector
- Project or Town Engineering Technologist
- Public Works Manager
- Technical Supervisor
- Technical and Specification Writer
- Testing Services Supervisor
Civil Engineering Technologist
As a Civil Engineering Technologist, your expertise could be used in offices and laboratories, and on construction sites. The scope of your work may include planning, design, drafting, testing, surveying, inspecting, supervising or administration of construction.
Lab Technologist
As a Lab Technologist you may test construction materials such as soil, concrete and asphalt.
Industries
- Municipal, provincial, and federal governments
- Engineering consulting
- General contracting
- Construction companies
Median Starting Salary
The expected starting salary for individuals with a(n) Civil Engineering Technology Diploma is $64,302.
This salary information was based on graduate data from the past 3 years and reflects annual salaries for graduates who claimed they were working more than 30 hours per week. Graduates who quoted salaries below $10,000 and above $200,000 per year have been excluded. Note that NAIT publishes the median salary instead of the average to minimize the potential of outlying salaries distorting the mean. Data represented here may differ from other data sources due to differences in definition or differences in timing.
Grad Employment Rate
Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.
Download report
Take your career planning to the next level
This program can be used as a step toward earning higher credentials and/or certifications.
Further education at NAIT
Once you complete your credential, explore the programs below to specialize further or develop management skills.
Other Opportunities
While enrolled in the program, you'll be eligible for student membership in the following professional associations:
Post-secondary articulation agreements within Alberta are approved by the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT). To view the details of specific agreements, please visit transferalberta.ca or contact articulations@nait.ca For questions regarding transfer agreements or to obtain a course description/outline that is no longer available on our website, please contact articulations@nait.ca.
Build your resume before you even graduate
Explore work experience opportunities that help grads get hired even sooner.
View Work Integrated Learning
Work Experience Placements
Students in this program gain valuable work experience with Work Integrated Learning (WIL). WIL is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic studies with relevant work-based learning.
Courses and Advanced Credit
Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.
Advanced Credit
You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).
Transfer Credit
In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:
- You must have completed the course or program no more than 7 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
- You must have a minimum mark of C in the course(s) or program
Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.
Tuition & Fees
This content is specific to the selected intake.
The tuition and fee amounts are estimates based on current academic year's rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.
Books, Supplies & Program Fees (est.)
Level 1 Term 1: $1,425
Level 1 Term 2: $825
Level 2 Term 1: $625
Level 2 Term 2: $275
Scholarships & Awards
NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!
Learn how to apply for awards
Admission Requirements
Minimum entrance requirements
The specific academic requirements you must meet to be considered for admission. Where applicable, the minimum accepted Alberta high school courses are listed in round brackets ( ). Equivalent or higher-level courses are also accepted.
Additional requirements & considerations
Alternative entrance pathways
If you are missing one or more of the minimum entrance requirements, you may be eligible for an alternative entrance pathway. For any pathway listed below, English language proficiency is also a requirement.
Recommended courses
The following course(s) are recommended, as they provide important background for your program's content. Recommended courses are not required for admission and will not affect your application.
Post-admission requirements
Although not required for admission, you must meet the following requirement(s) in order to progress in your program.
Additional options
This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in.
Learn more about Open Studies
Dates & Deadlines
International
Applications Open:
Please contact the program area for more information.
International
Applications Deadline:
Please contact the program area for more information.
Domestic
Applications Open:
Please contact the program area for more information.
Application Deadline:
Please contact the program area for more information.
Term Start Date:
Please contact the program area for more information.
International Applicants
This program accepts international students.
PGWP Eligibility
This program does not meet eligibility criteria for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) field of study requirement. Students who applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024, are not affected by the new field of study rule and may be eligible for a PGWP.
While graduates are currently ineligible to apply for a PGWP, NAIT still welcomes international students to this program to gain valuable knowledge and skills to pursue your career goals, whether in Canada under another type of permit or in your home country or other international markets.
Co-Op Work Permit
Optional Co-op: Students in this program can choose to move into a co-op pathway, which includes a mandatory co-op work practicum. International students who plan to participate in this option must apply for a co-op work permit and get approval before starting the work placement.
Learn more about PGWP and explore eligible NAIT programs.
Pathway to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility and $10,000 Award
International students who complete the Civil Engineering Technology program and meet all GPA entrance requirements can transition into NAIT’s 2-year Bachelor of Technology in Management (BTech) degree program and recieve a $10,000 award to support your studies. Graduates of the BTech program are eligible to apply for a PGWP for up to 3 years.
Learn about the BTech International Pathway
