Civil Engineering Master’s Programs

Overview

The department offers a Master of Civil Engineering (MCE) degree and Master of Applied Sciences (MAS) degree. Both degrees are based on the student completing an individually designed program of courses and writing a thesis. A non-thesis master’s degree option is also available with the MCE, typically for students with professional experience. Students selecting the non-thesis option are not eligible for assistantships from the University.

All graduate students work in close cooperation with the faculty. The department has extensive facilities for research and graduate study in all of the areas of concentration. Research in civil and environmental engineering is often an interdisciplinary endeavor. Our faculty specialize in six main areas, but frequently cross group and departmental boundaries to collaborate with experts in other areas, ranging from materials science to biochemistry to oceanography.

The CCEE Department houses four multidisciplinary research centers and collaborates with other research centers across campus and at other institutions. These centers facilitate collaboration among engineers, scientists and social scientists, and faculty, students and visiting scholars to address specific areas.

Master of Civil Engineering (MCE)

The Master of Civil Engineering (MCE) degree is awarded only to individuals who, upon admission, have an undergraduate degree in engineering, preferably in civil or environmental engineering. The student pursuing the MCE degree may choose a traditional thesis program or a non-thesis option. The courses for the non-thesis option correspond to the course requirements for the traditional thesis master’s degree program. The core requirements for both master’s degrees are the same. The description and requirements for each concentration can be found here.

MCE – Thesis Track

The MCE with thesis track requires 30 credit hours, including 24 graduate course credits meeting the requirements of one of the concentrations, and 6 credits for the master’s thesis.

The student should consult their advisor in selecting courses to fulfill these requirements and choose electives that complement research and career aspirations.

Seminars

All thesis graduate students are required to attend departmental or college seminars (CIEG 865, 0 credits) each semester in their fields of study. Students are expected to make presentations at these seminars.

MCE – Non-Thesis Track

The objective of the non-thesis master’s program is to provide an opportunity for students who do not have the need to develop research skills, to obtain a master’s degree with a quality and depth of study comparable to the thesis-track master’s degree. Through coursework (30 credits), students develop their engineering skills and obtain a state-of-the-art background within the chosen area of study. Students electing the non-thesis option are not eligible for assistantships from the University.

Master of Applied Sciences (MAS)

Students who, upon admission, have a non-engineering degree are awarded the Master of Applied Sciences (MAS) degree. The MAS degree is a traditional thesis program; a non-thesis option is not available. The description and requirements for each concentration can be found here.

MAS – Thesis

The MAS requires 30 credit hours, including 24 graduate course credits meeting the requirements of one of the concentrations, and 6 credits for the master’s thesis. The student should consult their advisor in selecting courses to fulfill these requirements and choose electives that complement research and career aspirations.

Seminars

All thesis graduate students are required to attend departmental or college seminars (CIEG 865, 0 credits) each semester in their fields of study. Students are expected to make presentations at these seminars.