Effective Summer, 2020

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) students within the Civil Engineering program must take a total of eight courses that have been approved by the advisor. Seven courses must be technical, but courses may be requested for substitution at the advisor’s discretion. Four courses must be taken from civil engineering – EN.560.XXX or EN.565.XXX. One of the eight courses can be a professional development class, such as those offered from the Center for Leadership Education.

Master’s students are offered two options (different combination of courses, seminars, optional externship, and research) to earn their degree. There is also a bachelor’s/master’s program available as well as a Systems Engineering MSE degree.

Requirements for MSE in Civil Engineering with Coursework Requirements

The most common path for MSE graduate students is to complete the degree through coursework alone. The MSE degree requirements are as follows*:

  1. Minimum course requirements: 8 courses** at the 600-level or above:
    • 4 of which must be from civil engineering – EN.560.XXX or EN.565.XXX
    • 7 of which must be technical
  2. Required courses, but do not count towards minimum course requirements:
    • Civil and Systems Engineering Graduate Seminar – Fall semester – EN.560.691
    • Civil and Systems  Engineering Graduate Seminar – Spring semester – EN.560.692
    • Academic Ethics short course EN.500.603
    • Responsible Conduct of Research short course: AS.360.624 or AS.360.625
  3. Acceptable grades: B- and above. Only one course with a grade lower than B- is allowed toward the degree requirements. No grade lower than a C- may be counted toward the course requirements.
  4. First three semesters must be full-time. The fourth semester can be part-time.*** It is expected that the degree will be completed in one year with the student enrolling in 4 courses per semester, although in select cases students may require a third semester of study.
  5. CPT internship credits for international students do not count toward the completion of a MSE degree.
  6. Transfer credits are not permitted.

*Students must comply with all requirements stipulated by the Whiting School of Engineering Academic Policies and Procedures.

** Academic advisors, in consultation with the faculty in the department, will determine whether the 8 courses leading to this degree are appropriate and if they have been completed satisfactorily.

***See the department senior academic program coordinator or director of graduate studies to determine if you are eligible for part-time status.

MSE with Thesis Requirements

The MSE with thesis option is primarily intended for students interested in pursuing a PhD. The MSE degree requirements are as follows*:

  1. Minimum course requirements: 7 courses** at the 600-level or above:
    • 4 of which must be from civil engineering – EN.560.XXX or EN.565.XXX
    • 7 of which must be technical
  2. Required courses, but do not count towards minimum course requirements:
    • Research course with research advisor – Fall semester
    • Research course with research advisor – Spring semester (a two-semester research sequence)
    • Civil and Systems Engineering Graduate Seminar – Fall semester – EN.560.691
    • Civil and Systems Engineering Graduate Seminar – Spring semester – EN.560.692
    • Academic Ethics short course – EN.500.603
    • Responsible Conduct of Research short course: AS.360.624 or AS.360.625
  3. Acceptable grades: B- and above. Only one course with a grade lower than B- is allowed toward the degree requirements. No grade lower than a C- may be counted toward the course requirements.
  4. Final essay that is approved by the research advisor and one additional reader who is required to be a full-time departmental faculty member. Any external reader must be approved by the department chair.
  5. Research presentation in a public forum attended by two members of the WSE faculty or other faculty approved by the Department Chair.
  6. First three semesters must be full-time. The fourth semester can be part-time.*** The MSE with thesis program is expected to be completed in 3-4 semesters with the student enrolled in 2-3 courses per semester in addition to research. Summer research is typical but not necessary and is left to the discretion of the student and advisor.
  7. CPT internship credits for international students do not count toward the completion of a MSE degree.
  8. Transfer credits are not permitted

*Students must comply with all requirements stipulated by the Whiting School of Engineering Academic Policies and Procedures.

**Academic advisors, in consultation with the faculty in the department, will determine whether the 7 courses leading to this degree are appropriate and if they have been completed satisfactorily.

***See the department senior academic program coordinator or director of graduate studies to determine if you are eligible for part-time status.

Learn More

View a course list for the upcoming semester, details on our graduate student group, and other information helpful for prospective students.

Prospective Student Information