We are the world’s preeminent​ undergraduate Department of ​Civil and Environmental Engineering,​ continuing a tradition since 1802. Our mission is to educate and inspire Army Leaders of Character prepared to engineer resilient and sustainable solutions to the Nation’s toughest challenges.​

Department History

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the United States Military Academy has a rich history that reflects its role in shaping military and engineering leaders. Established in 1802 as part of the academy’s founding, civil engineering was one of the earliest disciplines taught at West Point. The program initially focused on military engineering and fortification design, aligning with the academy’s primary mission to train Officers for the Army Corps of Engineers. 

Under the leadership of Sylvanus Thayer, often referred to as the "Father of West Point," engineering education expanded significantly in the early 19th century, emphasizing rigorous technical training and practical applications. This foundational approach helped to establish West Point as a premier institution for engineering education in the United States.

Beginning in earnest in the mid-20th century, USMA began augmenting its engineering curriculum with a subset broadly focused on the environment. Those developments reflected growing awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship in both military and civilian contexts. In 1989, environmental engineering was first offered to cadets as a degree program, in recognition of the need for officers able to address challenges like water resource management, pollution control, and sustainable development. That new major was housed within the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering. The first environmental engineers graduated in 1992.   

In 2025, the degree programs of civil engineering and environmental engineering were merged into the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The department emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, blending traditional engineering principles with modern technologies and ethical considerations. Graduates are equipped to lead in diverse roles, from military construction projects to tackling global environmental challenges, embodying West Point's commitment to producing leaders of character with technical expertise.