Master's Program (MS)

Two female researchers, a student wearing a hard hat and a faculty member, discuss experiments while a large open furnace sits behind them. There are two additional hardhats toward the bottom of the image.

Students pursuing the CIE degree select from one of five program focus areas (summarized below) that provide different course requirements and electives. The CIE MS program and its focus areas, allow students to develop an individualized program of study by selecting from an extensive list of elective courses in conjunction with input from their academic advisor.

After graduating, MS graduates with this degree follow diverse career pathways that include employment in a wide variety of public and private sector jobs, as well as additional education at the doctoral level.

Focus Areas

MS in Civil Engineering students may choose one of the following areas:

  • Construction Engineering and Management
    3/13/26
    With growing populations and increasing threats from extreme weather, there is a critical need to rehabilitate and reinvent the built environment in response to these challenges. The construction engineering and management focus area provides the technical and management skills to prepare students for a variety of careers that promote safe, sustainable, practical, and innovative solutions in the constantly evolving construction environment. 
  • Geosystems Engineering
    3/6/24
    Research in geosystems engineering addresses computational geomechanics, deep foundations, ground improvement, seismic response of soils, liquefaction, and retrofit of foundations, dams, slopes, and retaining walls.
  • Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Materials
    6/8/26
    Researchers in the structural engineering, mechanics and materials group enhance community resiliency to earthquakes, develop design guidelines for buildings and other structures, and conduct vital research in various emerging areas such as wind, fire and materials engineering.
  • Transportation Engineering
    6/15/26
    Research in transportation systems engineering focuses on improving the efficiency, safety, sustainability, and resiliency of surface transportation systems.
Bridge Engineering Certificate

Students pursuing the Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (EWRE) degree follow a single set of course requirements with considerable flexibility in selection of elective classes.

Some of the top priorities concerning environmental engineers are the delivery of clean air and drinking water, and the water quality restoration in the Great Lakes and other natural water systems throughout the country. Students who complete the EWRE program will be equipped with the knowledge to handle some of the most pressing matters affecting global public health, water supplies and ecosystem viability through research or professional practice.

Graduates of the EWRE programs contribute to the solution of important environmental problems through careers in research, government, consulting or the private sector.  Topics of current interest include the delivery of clean drinking water, treatment of air and wastewater pollutants, and the restoration of the Great Lakes and other aquatic ecosystems.

  • Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
    11/18/25
    Research in environmental engineering seeks to better understand the physical, chemical, and biological processes that influence the health of our environment and to pursue innovative solutions for its protection. Researchers in this area also focus on engineering sustainability.

Students pursuing the Engineering Science MS: Focus on Engineering Sustainability will be equipped with the skills need to have successful careers in different sustainability positions, including, environmental engineers, conservation scientists, environmental specialists, urban planners, community service managers and several other positions.

Visit this link to learn more about Engineering Sustainability

The department offers two Master of Science (MS) degrees: one in Civil Engineering and one in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, and supports the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences' Engineering Science MS: Focus on Engineering Sustainability

Each 30-credit MS program consist of three components (described in detail below): required courses, elective courses, and a culminating thesis, project, or exam. To complete the degree, most students choose the “all-course” option, which consists of six credits of focus area required classes, 24 additional credits of approved elective classes, and a comprehensive exam taken at the end of their final semester. 

Students may also complete (in addition to required classes) a 3-credit MS project and 21 credits of electives OR a 6-credit MS thesis and 18 credits of electives.  In all cases, the student’s academic advisor must approve the proposed program of study, including all required and elective courses to be counted towards the degree.  For the project and thesis options, a CSEE faculty member must agree to serve as the project/thesis advisor.

*Graduate Studies Manual under revision

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