Civil Engineering Technology-Highway Technician

Why Civil Engineering Technology-Highway Technician?

Civil engineering technicians play a vital role in designing, building, and maintaining the roads, bridges, and transportation systems that connect our communities. In this program, you will learn how to collect and analyze data, assist in design projects, and ensure the safety and quality of infrastructure construction. You will build the technical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills that make you a key contributor to the engineering process.

At Mid-State, you will train in the Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Apprenticeship (AMETA^®) Center, learning directly from instructors through hands-on fieldwork, lab activities, and a capstone design project. You’ll graduate ready to join the workforce or advance toward professional licensure as a land surveyor.

Assist in the design, construction, and inspection of transportation infrastructure.
Gain practical experience through surveying, testing, and capstone design projects.
Qualify to meet Wisconsin’s educational requirement for the Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) exam.
Earn a seven-credit Civil Drafting certificate embedded within the program.
Train with modern software and technology used by engineering professionals.
Enter a high-demand field where most graduates secure employment before graduation.

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Program Facts

Total Credits

68 Credits

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Program Length

Two Years

Delivery Method

In Person, Hybrid

Location

AMETA^® Center

Start Dates

Fall, Spring

Estimated Program Cost

$12,895.21

View Cost of Attendance

Financial Aid Eligibility

Fully Eligible

View Types of Aid

Program Outcomes

Graduates leave ready to succeed in their careers. Each year, data from Mid-State's Graduate Survey and statewide reports show consistently high satisfaction and strong starting salaries. Here's a snapshot of what success looks like after graduation.

Career Opportunities

AutoCAD Specialist

Civil Engineering Technician

Inspection/Quality Control Technician

Land Survey Technician

Material Testing Technician

$61k Median Annual Salary

Recent program grads in Wisconsin earned a starting salary of $61,497. Source: Lightcast Data Set

6,115

Average Monthly Hires

6,115 of recent Wisconsin program grads landed jobs within six months of graduation. Source: Lightcast Data Set

100%

Mid-State Graduate Satisfaction Rate

Students leave proud, prepared, and confident in what comes next. Source: Mid-State Graduate Survey Results

Program Details

Take a closer look at what the program offers and what to expect.

Program Courses

Your course plan may vary, and you'll get a recommended sequence once you're enrolled. See below for full course details, see the program information guide, or talk with your advisor.

Program Information Guide (PDF)

Instructors

Meet our full-time instructors.

Michael Johnson, BS, MS, MBA
Michael holds an MBA from UW–Milwaukee, an MS in career and technical education from UW–Stout, and a BS in civil engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is also a certified professional engineer in the state of Wisconsin and holds a remote pilot’s license for commercial drone use. Michael has worked as a design engineer and construction inspector for eight years, including design and inspection of residential, commercial, and industrial developments. He completes ongoing professional development to keep his skills fresh and maintain his license as a professional engineer (PE).

“Technology is constantly changing the way we design and construct our country’s infrastructure, enabling us to build more efficiently than ever before. Being trained using the latest equipment and software makes our graduates extremely valuable to employers in our industry.”

Greg Webster, BCE, MS, MSCE
Greg earned both a BCE and MS from Auburn University and an MSCE from Purdue University, all in civil engineering. He is an NSPS Level IV Certified Survey Technician (Survey Field Manager) and holds five certifications in Wisconsin’s Highway Technician Certification Program. His experience includes work as a project engineer for multimillion-dollar wastewater treatment construction projects in four different states. He has also been a research technician on pavement material research projects for DOTs in Alabama and Indiana and has co-authored journal articles in Concrete International and ASCE Materials Journal on this research. He is an active member of the Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors and is the Vice-President for the Central Chapter of the Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors.

“Civil engineering provides our roads, airports, treatment facilities, and other municipal infrastructure we use every day. It is rewarding to play a role in projects that benefit our society—and help prepare students to move into in-demand careers as surveyors, inspectors, drafters, material testers, or estimators so they can tackle the challenges of our ever-growing population and ever-changing world.”

Program Outcomes

Employers will expect graduates of this program to be able to:

Utilize graphic techniques to produce engineering drawings.
Conduct standardized field and laboratory testing on civil engineering materials.
Utilize modern surveying methods for land measurements and/or construction layout.
Estimate material quantities and costs for civil engineering projects.
Utilize geometric elements to develop corridors.
Design storm systems to meet given design requirements.
Determine forces and stresses in elementary structural systems.
Employ productivity software to solve technical problems.

Employability Skills

Alongside your career training, you'll develop key workplace strengths. Explore the additional skills you'll build.

Employability Skills (PDF)

Technical Standards

To succeed in this program, you'll need to meet certain technical standards. These are the key skills and abilities needed for the program and future career success—with or without reasonable accommodations. Be sure to review them carefully before you apply.

Technical Standards (PDF)

Career pathways help you build your education step by step. Each stage offers one or more credentials that are recognized by employers and lead to real jobs—and you can keep building toward your career goals as you go.

Prior Learning

Certificate

Technical Diploma

Associate Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Get credit for what you already know. You may be able to earn college credit for prior learning through skills you’ve gained through high school classes, previous college work, self-study, military training, jobs, or volunteer experience.

Credit for Prior Learning
High School Dual Credit
Mid-State Fast-Track – Open to high school students

“Most students go to college to find good-paying careers doing something they enjoy. Mid-State gave me that and so much more, as I discovered my passion and achieved more than I ever could have anticipated.”

- Bryce C.

Mid-State Grad

“I couldn't have asked for a better education. My instructors were some of the most incredible people, and they were willing to do whatever was necessary to help everyone.”

- Leslie T.

Mid-State Grad

“Mid-State’s hands-on learning, convenient scheduling, updated technology, and instructors who can relate to the field have all helped me become successful and even advance in my career in under a year.”

- Stephanie B.

Mid-State Grad

“I value my experience at Mid-State tremendously. Even with a disability my education gave me the opportunity to join the workforce before I even graduated. Education equals opportunity.”

- Jake A.

Mid-State Grad

“My degree from Mid-State and the encouragement I received from my teachers gave me the skills and confidence to move forward in my life and excel in my career.”

- Sharon R.

Mid-State Grad

“The education I received at Mid-State has been invaluable. It built a foundation that is endlessly improving, providing excellent growth opportunities in my career.”

- Kevin B.

Mid-State Grad