Civil Engineering—MS
The Master of Science in Civil Engineering is designed for the pursuit of advanced civil engineering studies. The program integrates course work and/or research in a range of civil engineering topics, examined from both a theoretical/mathematical standpoint and an application/design standpoint.
Under the guidance of an advisory committee, students tailor an academic plan to their individual interests and professional goals, choosing an area of emphasis from the following or combining two or more of these areas into an individual emphasis:
- Geotechnical engineering
- Structural engineering
- Transportation engineering
- Civil engineering materials
- Water resource engineering
- Infrastructure engineering
MS Options
Whether your interests lie in research or course work, we offer a master's degree option to suit your educational goals.
Thesis Option
This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in one to two years. The thesis must be prepared following the current procedures.
At least two weeks prior to the oral examination, students must
- Schedule their examination using the Pre-defense form
- Submit a draft thesis to the Graduate School
- Distribute the thesis to the examining committee
The Degree schedule form must be approved before a defense is scheduled.
Students must also report the results of the oral examination and submit a final thesis to the Graduate School prior to completing their degrees.
The minimum requirements are as follows:
| Course work (minimum) | 20 credits |
| Thesis research | 6–10 credits |
| Total (minimum) | 30 credits |
| Distribution of course work credit | |
| 5000–6000 series (minimum) | 12 credits |
| 3000–4000 level (maximum) | 12 credits |
Report Option
This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in one year to a year and a half. The report must be prepared following the current procedures.
At least two weeks prior to the oral examination, students must
- Schedule their examination using the Pre-defense form
- Distribute the report to the examining committee
- Submit the report to the Graduate School
The Degree schedule form must be approved before a defense is scheduled.
Students must also report the results of the oral examination and submit the final report to the Graduate School using the current procedures.
Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in course work other than the project.
| Course work | 24 credits |
| Report | 2–6 credits |
| Total (minimum) | 30 credits |
| Distribution of course work credit | |
| 5000–6000 series (minimum) | 12 credits |
| 3000–4000 level (maximum) | 12 credits |
Course Work Option
This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through course work. Research credits may be used on a case-by-case basis following the approval of the graduate program director. Some sample course plans follow. These are samples and do not in any way preclude other possibilities. All students should work with an advisor to design their particular path to the MSCE.
| Distribution of course work credit | |
| 5000–6000 series (minimum) | 18 credits |
| 3000–4000 level (maximum) | 12 credits |
Sample Course Plans
MS Degree Without a BS in Engineering
If you would like to enter the MS in Environmental Engineering program at Michigan Tech and do not have a BS degree in an engineering discipline, read here for your options.