Started in 1992 as a cooperative venture with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), the FEP Program offers introductory engineering education for transportation technicians. FEP courses build a deeper conceptual understanding of transportation design, inspection, and field practices. Initially offered throughout the state of North Carolina, FEP is now available nationwide through the use of live online virtual classrooms. Technician development continues with the capstone Highway Engineering Concepts (HEC) course.

About the Program: (printable flyer [999KB | PDF] )

  • For technicians with little or no engineering background
  • 10 courses that introduce engineering fundamentals
  • Two prerequisites – Mathematics and Physics
  • Bypass exams available for demonstrated proficiency
  • Certificates available for 5 modules*
  • Live online virtual classroom
  • 7 to 13 weeks (varies by course)
  • 3 hours per week (one half day)
  • Weekly graded tests
  • 3-hour comprehensive final exam

Cost: $400 – $700 per participant per course (varies by course length)

To

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To register, select one of the classes below, then follow instructions for registering.

2023-2024 Scheduling Details:

  • FEP courses meet in an online virtual classroom one morning per week from 8 am until 11 am.
  • Students must complete (or bypass) Mathematics, then Physics, prior to registering for other courses. Fall courses must be completed (or bypassed) prior to corresponding spring courses.
  • A sample pathway through the FEP Program is presented below. Please note that once prerequisites are met, courses can be completed in any order.
  • Bypass exam administration dates are August 8 and February 6. Final exams are administered upon completion of individual courses: September 27; December 5; March 28; and June 4.
  • Instructor will email detailed schedule, printable textbook, and online access information prior to class start.
Sample PathwayFEP CourseMeeting DayStart Date
Year 1Mathematics*
Physics*
Geotechnical Engineering*
Thursday
Thursday
Thursday
August 31
February 15
April 11
Year 2, 3, or 4Statics
Strength of Materials
Structure Design*
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
August 9
October 4
March 6
Year 2, 3, or 4Fluid Mechanics
Hydraulics
Monday
Monday
October 2
March 18
Year 2, 3, or 4Horizontal and Vertical Alignment
Highway Design*
Tuesday
Tuesday
September 19
March 19
*Certificate Available for Module Completion

FEP Overview

“Behind the Scenes” Look at FEP Mathematics

Contact

Lori Cahill lmcahill@ncsu.edu | (919) 513-0207