Earn a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering with the GI Bill

Michigan State University says those with advanced degrees in Civil Engineering have much to look forward to in their new careers. "Professionals in civil engineering careers work on the vanguard of advances in technology and materials, leading vital infrastructure projects for the public and private sectors."

MSU adds, "Civil engineers meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world by applying their technical knowledge and problem-solving skills." Civil engineers design and oversee the production of buildings, roads, dams, bridges, and water supply systems. They supervise the production of airports, tunnels, and sewage systems. Civil Engineers work in a variety of locations and conditions. They might spend time in an office or work outdoors at construction sites.

A master’s in civil engineering should take between 1-2 years, depending on the program. It could take longer if a student goes part-time vs full-time.

Concentrations in Civil Engineering

When you are pursuing a master’s degree in civil engineering, you will need a concentration for your degree. Here are a few examples:

• Structural Engineering - Students focus on the building of bridges, dams, railroads, roads, etc. This is one of the oldest forms of civil engineering.
• Environmental Engineering - Students focus on solving environmental issues, designing water systems, or reducing waste.
• Architectural Engineering - Students focus on the more aesthetic side of the structure such as revamping a downtown area.
• Engineering Management - Students focus on problem-solving and the administrative and planning abilities of management overseeing those in the engineering field.
• Transportation Engineering - Students study the application of technology and scientific principles to design, plan, and manage transportation infrastructure.

Common Classes

While many of your classes would depend on your concentration, here are a few of the more common classes you might need to take for your program:

• Introduction to Soil Behavior
• Calculus II
• Project Planning and Control
• Geology in Engineering
• Water Chemistry
• Foundation Engineering

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements vary by school and program; however, most will require students to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, complete an application essay, and submit letters of recommendation.

Some schools might also require professional experience, but even if the school doesn’t, it can help to have that work experience to put on the application. Schools usually also want students to have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

How to Choose a Program

When choosing a civil engineering master’s program, students should consider many factors. They should look at the length of each one, the course format, available concentrations, and final project requirements. Students should also consider the curriculum and the cost.

Accreditation status for each program can also make a difference and affect future career opportunities. Departments often receive programmatic accreditation from field-specific accrediting bodies. Accreditation indicates that the program meets set quality standards for the electrical engineering profession.

Students should look for a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Degrees from an ABET-accredited program are required for licensure examinations.

Top Master’s in Civil Engineering Programs

Here are 10 of the top masters in civil engineering programs:

• Columbia University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• The University of Virginia
• The University of California at Berkeley
• Stanford University
• The University of Michigan
• The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• Purdue University
• Cornell University
• Carnegie Mellon University

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