by Alex Boesch, Student Public Relations Writer
For someone who is desiring to work as a professional engineer following college
graduation, the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the first step toward achieving this goal. The
exam features seven academic disciplines, including civil engineering, and for Cedarville’s first group of
civil engineering graduates, their success rate has exceeded traditional expectations.
While the national pass rate average for recently graduated engineering students is 62%, according to
the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), Of the 18 graduates who have
taken the exam in Cedarville’s first civil engineering cohort–100%– passed the FE exam in their first
attempt.
“It is particularly important in the field of civil engineering for students to get on the path toward
licensure,” said Dr. David Dittenber, associate professor of civil engineering. “By passing the FE exam so
quickly, our graduates demonstrated their academic aptitude and are now on their way toward gaining
licensure to work on public projects.”
Six students from this class are preparing to enroll in graduate school, including one studying at the
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, Switzerland--one of the world's leading engineering
programs. The remaining students will work for various civil engineering companies.
Like the 100% FE exam pass rate, Cedarville’s first group of civil engineering graduates have a 100%
career/grad school placement rate so far, just a few weeks out from graduation.
“Looking at our senior class, I am not surprised with this tremendous outcome because they all were
diligent in their studies and worked very hard,” said Dittenber. “For these graduates, it took some
courage to be a part of the first civil engineering program at Cedarville University. I am confident they
are going to be great engineers and researchers.”
Cedarville began its civil engineering program in 2017 after conducting years of research within the
industry and interests of college students. Dr. Stephen Ayers is the assistant dean of the school of
engineering and computer science and was the initial faculty member in civil engineering. In August
2020, the new 22,000-square-foot, two-floor Civil Engineering Center was completed, providing
necessary classroom, laboratory, office, project and study spaces. The civil engineering program
currently has more than 75 students enrolled in the program, and the fully implemented program now
features an established core faculty group and a carefully designed curriculum, resulting in an
impressive first showing on the FE Civil exam and job placement rates.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution
with an enrollment of 4,715 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of
study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally
for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including the Bachelor of Science in
civil engineering, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science
offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit
cedarville.edu.