civil engineering masters students

Master's in Civil Engineering

M.S. or M.Eng.

Earn your master's in Civil Engineering from a nationally ranked and affordable program.

Specialize in environmental, structural, transportation, and water resources engineering. A general track is also available for those looking for a broader curriculum in graduate school.

Program type:
Master's Degree
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
1-2 years
Credit hours:
30-32

Why earn a Civil Engineering master's?

Graduate Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 1
Spring:
Dec. 1
Summer:
May 1

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

The University of North Dakota's is one of the top civil engineering schools in the USA. For nearly 40 years, UND has offered a suite of fully accredited engineering programs that are delivered online. Most can complete this master's program in under two years.

The Civil Engineering master's program has four main areas of specialization:

  1. Soils-structures engineering
  2. Environmental engineering
  3. Water resources engineering
  4. General civil engineering

M.S. or M.Eng. in Civil Engineering

UND offers two civil engineering masters degrees: Master of Science (M.S.) and Master of Engineering (M.Eng.). Please connect with the Department of Civil Engineering before making a final decision.

  • The M.S. program includes a thesis (30 credits) or non-thesis research project/independent study (32 credits). The M.S. will prepare you for careers in research, practice and further studies toward a Ph.D.
  • The M.Eng. program is more course-based, is 30 credits and includes writing a design project report. The program has a strong and directed emphasis toward the practice of engineering.

On-Campus or Online Civil Engineering Master's

  • Build on your knowledge to achieve a greater understanding of civil engineering and the design process.

  • Practice civil engineering in a wide range of professional settings including consulting firms, government agencies and industries.

  • Conduct research in your chosen area of interest. Many students specialize in environmental, structural, transportation, water resources, and general civil engineering.

  • Demonstrate practical skill that can be applied in the real world with a written design project requirement.

  • Shape the future of transportation. UND’s Transportation Technology Research Initiative is using autonomous systems to develop and maintain a modern transportation system.

  •  Foster a deeper understanding of the engineering design process. 

What can you do with a master's in Civil Engineering?

96k

Median annual salary for civil engineers, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

23k

Number of projected job openings each year for civil engineers through 2033

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

UND civil engineering graduates can expect a range of job opportunities in many specialties such as:

  • Environmental engineering: Devise solutions for wastewater management, water and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, and public health.
  • Geotechnical engineering: Use soil and rock mechanics to solve engineering problems.
  • Soil engineering: Evaluate the characteristics of the ground upon which a structure is built.
  • Structural engineering: Create the form and shape of man-made structures.
  • Transportation engineering: Plan the functional design, operation and management of facilities for any mode of transportation.
  • Waste management engineering: Coordinate and manage waste disposal, waste collection and recycling operations.
  • Water resource engineering: Design systems and equipment to manage water resources.

Civil Engineering Master's Skills

More advanced skills, like project management and engineering design, are in high demand. A civil engineering master's degree gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

  • AutoCAD
  • Java (Programming Language)
  • Construction Management

Companies Hiring Civil Engineering Master's Graduates

Many top companies in the public and private sector value advanced civil engineering talent. Our alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services (AE2S)
  • Bolton & Menk
  • Burns & McDonnell
  • Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson
  • WSB & Associates

Master's in Civil Engineering Courses

CE 501. Mechanics of Materials II. 3 Credits.

This course covers stress and strain theories in two and three dimensions, including transforming stresses and strains. Topics include tensor notation, linear and nonlinear stress-strain behavior, thermal stresses, and material behavior in isotropic, orthotropic, and anisotropic materials. The course also addresses yield criteria and failure theories under combined stresses, energy methods, torsion of noncircular and thin-walled sections, unsymmetrical bending, the shear center, and curved beams. CE 501 cannot be taken after completing CE 401. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of mechanics of materials; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. S, odd years.

CE 502. Structural Stability. 3 Credits.

This course covers the concept of stability and the application of equilibrium and energy methods in structural analysis. Topics include the stability of columns, beam-columns, frames, and inelastic buckling. It also explores stability analysis using slope-deflection and matrix methods and the use of codes for the stability design of aluminum and steel columns and frames. Additional topics include torsional and lateral-torsional buckling of beams and beam-columns. CE 502 cannot be taken after completing CE 402. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of mechanics of materials; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. On demand.

CE 535. Hazardous Waste Management. 3 Credits.

Regulations, generation, storage, transportation, disposal, classification, fate and transport of contaminants, environmental audits, pollution prevention and management facilities, remediation alternatives, physical-chemical treatment, bioremediation, stabilization/solidification, thermal processes. Prerequisite: CE 306 and CHEM 121.

CE 523. Hydraulic Engineering. 3 Credits.

Fluid statics and dynamics; open channel flow; transitions and controls; hydraulic structures; hydraulic machinery; hydraulic power conversion; and hydraulic modeling. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of fluid mechanics; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. S.

CE 531. Principles of Water and Wastewater Treatment. 3 Credits.

Environmental quality, water quality modeling, water wastewater treatment systems, sludge processing, solid wastes, hazardous wastes, environmental law. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of fluid mechanics; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. S.

CE 525. Surface Hydrology. 3 Credits.

Extreme rainfalls and flood frequency analysis, regionalization; runoff generations, routings, and basin modeling; urban storm water design; GIS and remote sensing applications in hydrology; recent techniques and development in surface hydrology. CE 525 cannot be taken after completing CE 425. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of hydrology; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. S.

Best Online Civil Engineering Master's Programs

#8 CollegeValuesOnline
#15 BestCollegesOnline
#18 Best Value Schools
#24 Master's Programs Guide

UND is ranked by many as one of the top best online Civil Engineering master's program in the nation. We are well regarded for our educational quality, affordability, flexibility, and career outcomes.

Ranking sites vary in their methodology, but are generally based on the following criterion:

  • Financial data such as net cost, loan default rate, and return on investment
  • Academic rigor including curriculum standards, accreditation status, and faculty reputation
  • Student gratification, retention rate, and support services
  • Employment rate and graduate salary

Online Civil Engineering Master's Degree

+160

online graduate programs

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

UND's online master's in Civil Engineering is offered 100% online. You are never required to visit campus. Plus, our online students pay the save affordable online tuition rate regardless of their legal residency.

Flexible Online Master's in Civil Engineering Classes

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Resources for Online Civil Engineering Master's Degree Students

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

FAQs

Yes, all courses for the master's in Civil Engineering are offered 100% online, eliminating the need to visit campus while taking courses. However, students choosing to conduct research experiments in UND’s laboratory must come to the campus to work on the thesis-related experiments. Those who prefer to be entirely online should opt for analytical or computer modeling research work. In person courses are also an option for those that want to attend in person.

The master's degree in Civil Engineering can typically be completed in 1.5 to 2 years, depending on credit load.

No, individuals applying for our Civil Engineering master's program must hold a baccalaureate degree in Civil Engineering or a related field such as construction management.

UND's Civil Engineering program stands out as one of the region's best-value universities for online education, offering high alumni salaries and impressive job placement rates. 

Compare our online and on campus costs. You'll find we are one of the most affordable civil engineering schools in the Midwest. Our online Civil Engineering master's students pay the same affordable tuition rate regardless of their legal residency.

UND is committed to assisting students in funding their education, providing over $105 million in financial aid annually. A range of financial aid options offered by UND, including scholarships (merit-based), grants (need-based), and loans, help students alleviate college costs.

Leaders in Civil Engineering

Brendan Blades began taking classes at UND to further his career as a civil engineer.

Read Brendan's Story

Explore More Options

Check out the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional graduate education opportunities.

Department Contact
Yeo Howe Lim
Graduate Program Director
P 701.777.3998

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