A master’s degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on structural engineering allows students to build advanced expertise in the analysis and design of complex structural systems. Graduate study at Michigan Tech helps students move beyond undergraduate fundamentals to develop deeper technical skills in structural materials, advanced analysis, seismic design, and performance-based engineering.
This degree is a strong next step for students who want to broaden their design capabilities, strengthen their technical credentials, and prepare for advanced roles in building, bridge, and infrastructure design.
What Makes Graduate Study Different?
Graduate-level study emphasizes deeper technical analysis, more advanced design methods, and greater independence in solving open-ended structural engineering challenges. In this program, students build on their undergraduate foundation to analyze more complex structures, apply specialized material design knowledge, and explore advanced topics such as nonlinear analysis, seismic response, and performance-based design.
Advanced Skills You’ll Build
- Broaden your structural design skillset to meet the needs of national and international engineering firms.
- Develop advanced material-specific design skills in steel, reinforced concrete, wood, masonry, prestressed concrete, and mass timber.
- Design complex structural systems, including high-rise and one-of-a-kind structures.
- Perform seismic analysis and design for structures subject to dynamic loading.
- Build specialty technical skills in nonlinear analysis and the foundations of performance-based design.
- Strengthen your technical preparation for the SE exam through advanced structural coursework.
- Explore graduate certificates in advanced analysis techniques, risk assessment, or bridge, building, or timber design
How a Master's Degree Can Support Your Career
Technical Specialization
Develop deeper expertise in structural analysis, design, and material-specific engineering applications.
Career Advancement
Prepare for advanced roles in structural consulting, infrastructure design, and complex building or bridge projects.
Professional Preparation
Strengthen your qualifications for licensure, technical leadership, and more complex structural responsibilities early in your career.
A Strong Option for Current Michigan Tech Students
For Michigan Tech undergraduates, pursuing the MSCE in Structural Engineering can be an efficient way to build on your existing technical foundation while gaining additional specialization in advanced structural design and analysis.
- Deepen your expertise in structural systems and advanced analysis methods.
- Expand your portfolio with material-specific design skills valued in professional practice.
- Strengthen your preparation for structural consulting, infrastructure design, and future licensure.
- Continue developing advanced technical knowledge that can help distinguish you in a competitive job market.
Sample Course Plan
This sample course plan is a sample, and adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes. Students should work with their advisor to develop their individual plan. A full list of graduate course descriptions is available.
Assumed Student Background
The sample course plan shown below was designed assuming that a student has taken
(at a minimum) both of
the following:
- CEE 3202 (Structural Analysis)
- At least one of CEE 4213 (Structural Concrete Design) or CEE 4223 (Steel Design I),
or equivalent, as
an undergraduate.
The sample course plan has room for one Graduate Elective course assuming the student
has taken all of the
following:
- CEE 4201 (Matrix Structural Analysis), or equivalent;
- CEE 4213 (Structural Concrete Design), or equivalent;
- CEE 4223 (Steel Design I), or equivalent.
Requirements: 30 credits minimum (12 maximum credits at 3000-4000 level; 18 credits at 5000 level)
Sample Coursework List
| Course | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 4233 – Structural Timber Design | 3 | Spring |
| CEE 4820 – Foundation Engineering | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 5202 – Finite Element Analysis | 3 | Spring |
| CEE 5212 – Prestressed Concrete Design | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 5213 – Concrete and Masonry Building Systems | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 5223 – Steel Design II | 3 | Spring |
| CEE 5241 – Structural Dynamics | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 5242 – Advanced Structural Dynamics | 3 | Spring |
| Systems Elective | 3 | |
| Graduate Elective | 3 |
Systems Elective
Must take at least one of these courses.
| Course | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 5730 – Probabilistic Analysis and Reliability | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 5740 – Modeling of Civil Engineering Systems | 3 | Spring |
| CEE 5760 – Optimization Methods | 3 | Spring |
Sample CEE Graduate Electives
| Course | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 4020 – Computer Applications | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 4244 – Loads for Civil Structures | 3 | Spring |
| CEE 5102 – Advanced Concrete Materials | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 5201 – Advanced Structural Analysis | 3 | Fall (alt) |
| CEE 5233 – Advanced Structural Timber Design | 3 | Fall (alt) |
| CEE 5250 – Special Topics in Structural Engineering | 1-3 | Fall/Spr/Sum |
| CEE 5261 – Bridge Design and Construction | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 6213 – Advanced Structural Concrete Design | 3 | Spring (alt) |
Sample Non-CEE Graduate Electives
| Course | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| EE 5500 – Probability and Stochastic Processes | 3 | Fall |
| GE 5100 – Advanced Geomorphology and Glacial Geology | 3 | Fall (alt) |
| MA 4515 – Introduction to Partial Differential Equations | 3 | Spring |
| MA 4535 – Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos | 3 | Fall |
| MA 4610 – Numerical Linear Algebra | 3 | Spring |
| MA 4620 – Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Eqns. | 3 | Fall |
| MA 4710 – Regression Analysis | 3 | Fall |
| MA 5565 – Partial Differential Equations | 3 | Fall (alt) |
| MEEM 4150 – Intermediate Mechanics of Materials | 3 | Spring |
| MEEM 4170 – Failure of Materials in Mechanics | 3 | Spring |
| MEEM 5110 – Continuum Mechanics/Elasticity | 3 | Fall |
| MEEM 5150 – Advanced Mechanics of Materials | 3 | Fall |
| MEEM 5160 – Experimental Stress Analysis | 3 | Fall |
| MEEM 5180 – Mechanics of Composite Materials | 3 | Spring (alt) |
| MEEM 5700 – Dynamic Measurement/Signal Analysis | 4 | Fall |
| MSE 4320 – Corrosion and Environmental Effects | 3 | Fall |
| MSE 4430 – Composite Materials | 3 | Spring |
| MSE 5140 – Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 3 | Fall |
Disclaimer
This course plan is meant to serve as a sample for a student interested in pursuing a coursework-only MSCE degree with a focus on water resources engineering. This plan may not be appropriate for all students, nor is it necessary for a student to follow this schedule to earn a coursework-only degree. Student-specific goals and prior education must be considered and consultation with faculty members is required. Consult with instructors before enrolling in courses that are outside of the Department to ensure that the course will be consistent with your goals and background since sometimes other courses may provide more value to the student. All MSCE degree requirements and rules set forth by the Department and the Graduate School must be met in order for a student to finish the program.