Two students survey a plot of land during a civil engineering class

Civil Engineering (M.S.)

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The Master of Science in Civil Engineering program provides highly specialized design-oriented and management courses, and offers students the opportunity for independent research, preparing them to make significant contributions within the profession and to respond to the changing needs of engineers in today’s workforce.

This program is also for students who would like to advance their careers, pursue further studies in a doctoral program, or seek a specialized focus in civil engineering.

Program Overview

Students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills set to make significant contributions to the profession, working in areas of high-impact innovation such as bridge engineering, construction engineering and management, public works policy, and transportation systems analysis.

Career Opportunities

Our graduate civil engineering program will prepare you for such careers as:

  • Civil engineer
  • Architectural and engineering manager
  • Construction manager
  • Urban and regional planner
  • Environmental engineer
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The Master of Science in Civil Engineering curriculum represents a research and thesis-based curriculum, and offers students the opportunity to specialize in one of the following technical areas: construction engineering and management, and geotechnical, structural, and transportation engineering.

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Four technical areas (construction, geotechnical, structural, and transportation engineering) are included in the Master of Science in Civil Engineering program. Degree candidates in the master of science program must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours, six to eight of which are for research and thesis. Up to 12 credit hours of 400-level undergraduate coursework (except CAE 431 and CAE 432) may be included in the M.S. program with prior adviser approval. An oral defense of the thesis constitutes the comprehensive examination, and no additional written comprehensive examination is required.

Program Specializations

Featured Faculty

David Arditi

David Arditi

Professor Emeritus of Civil and Architectural Engineering
Matthew J. Gombeda

Matthew J. Gombeda

Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering
Zongzhi Li

Zongzhi Li

Professor of Civil and Architectural Engineering Director of Transportation Engineering and Infrastructure Engineering and Management
Mehdi Modares

Mehdi Modares

Associate Professor Director of Structural Engineering Associate Chair of Graduate Affairs in the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering
Photo of Ivan Mutis

Ivan Mutis

Associate Professor of Civil and Architectural Engineering
Faezehossadat Khademi
Bridge Rating Engineer, CN Railway

Faeze Khademi never forgot her goal of becoming one of the top experts in her field—hard work and dedication contributed to her completing a doctoral degree in less than three years.

Faeze Khademi (M.S. Civil Engineering ’15, Ph.D. Civil Engineering ’17)
Bob Johnson
STEM Education Volunteer

A longtime structural engineer who worked on some of the most noteworthy skyscrapers in Chicago, Bob Johnson is now a dedicated STEM event volunteer for students. 

Bob Johnson (CE ’69, M.S. CE ’71)