Civil Engineering MSCE
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)
Minimum Required Credits: 30.0
Co-op Option: Available for full-time, on-campus master's-level students
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 14.0801
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 17-2015
About the Program
Graduates of the Civil Engineering MS program develop a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the principles that govern the planning, analysis, design, construction, and operation of civil infrastructure systems. Students gain technical depth in structural engineering, including the behavior and design of structural systems; geotechnical engineering, with emphasis on soil–structure interaction and foundation performance; or water resources engineering, addressing the analysis and management of water in natural and built environments. The program strengthens advanced analytical, computational, and design skills while fostering the ability to identify, frame, and solve complex engineering problems. Graduates also develop professional judgment, ethical awareness, and a systems-based perspective necessary for responsible engineering practice.
The Civil Engineering MS program provides a rigorous learning experience that integrates fundamental theory with applied engineering practice. Students engage in advanced coursework, project-based learning, and design-oriented assignments that emphasize real-world constraints and performance considerations. Courses draw on contemporary engineering tools, modeling approaches, and design standards, allowing students to apply theory to realistic infrastructure challenges. Opportunities for independent study and research enable students to explore specialized interests, deepen technical expertise, and work closely with faculty on focused engineering problems relevant to professional practice or further academic study.
Graduates of the program are well prepared for professional careers in consulting, industry, government agencies, and public-sector organizations involved in infrastructure planning, design, construction, and operations. The program also provides strong preparation for doctoral study or other advanced academic pathways. For students pursuing professional licensure, the curriculum supports preparation for licensure examinations and continued professional development consistent with industry expectations.
The Civil Engineering MS program benefits from Drexel’s strong emphasis on experiential learning and close engagement with industry. Students gain exposure to practice-informed instruction, applied projects, and professional networks that connect academic learning with real-world engineering challenges. This integration of advanced technical education with experiential learning prepares graduates to transition effectively into professional roles and to contribute meaningfully to the development of safe, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure systems.
Additional Information
For more information about this program, please contact the School of Engineering
Admission Requirements
MS admission is based on an academic record demonstrating adequate preparation and potential for successful graduate study. This typically includes a BS from an engineering curriculum accredited by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or the equivalent from a non-U.S. institution. Submission of results from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is usually required. Graduates who do not have a bachelor's degree in either Civil, Architectural or Environmental Engineering may be required to take preparatory undergraduate courses.
The application package should include:
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts as applicable
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty or professionals who can evaluate the applicant’s promise as a graduate student
- GRE scores (optional)
- A written statement of career and educational goals
For more information, visit the School of Engineering Graduate Admissions webpage.
Degree Requirements
| Core/Foundational Courses | ||
| Select three of the following courses: | 9.0 | |
| Data-Based Engineering Modeling | ||
| Risk and Reliability | ||
| Life Cycle Assessment and Circular Economy | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Artificial Intelligence for CAEE Systems | ||
| Concentration | ||
| Select one concentration from the options below | 21.0 | |
| Optional Co-op Experience | ||
| Co-op is an option for this degree for full-time on-campus students. Students choosing this option will be required to complete COOP 5000 as preparation for their co-op experience. | 0.0 | |
| Total Credits | 30.0 | |
Structural Concentration
| Subject-Area Focused Courses | ||
| CIVE 6210 | Advanced Mechanics of Materials | 3.0 |
| CIVE 6220 | Advanced Structural Analysis | 3.0 |
| CIVE 6230 | Structural Dynamics | 3.0 |
| Electives | ||
| Select two of the following courses: | 6.0 | |
| Artificial Intelligence for CAEE Systems 1 | ||
| Foundation Engineering | ||
| Earth Pressures and Retaining Structures | ||
| Design of Earth Structures | ||
| Prestressed Concrete | ||
| Wood and Timber Design | ||
| Forensic Structural Engineering | ||
| Concrete Technology for Modern Infrastructure | ||
| Deep Foundations | ||
| Infrastructure Condition Evaluation | ||
Select any 5800-7800 level CIVE Special Topics course | ||
Select any 5900-7900 level CIVE Independent Study course | ||
Select any 5000-7999 level course with advisor approval | ||
| Optional Thesis | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 6.0 | |
| Non-Thesis | ||
Select two additional courses from the Electives list above | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Master's Research and Master's Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 21.0 | |
- 1
May count towards the fulfillment of either Core/Foundational Courses or Subject-Area Focused Courses credit requirements but not both.
Geotechnical Concentration
| Subject-Area Focused Courses | ||
| CIVE 5100 | Advanced Soil Mechanics | 3.0 |
| CIVE 5110 | Foundation Engineering | 3.0 |
| CIVE 5120 | Earth Pressures and Retaining Structures | 3.0 |
| CIVE 6210 | Advanced Mechanics of Materials | 3.0 |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Design of Earth Structures | ||
| Slope Stability and Landslides | ||
| Engineering Ground Improvement | ||
| Forensic Structural Engineering | ||
| Deep Foundations | ||
| Applied FEA in Geotechnical Engineering | ||
| Seepage and Consolidation | ||
| Infrastructure Condition Evaluation | ||
| Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling | ||
| Groundwater Flow and Modeling | ||
Select any 5800-7800 level CIVE Special Topics course | ||
Select any 5900-7900 level CIVE Independent Study course | ||
Select any 5000-7999 level course with advisor approval | ||
| Optional Thesis | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 6.0 | |
| Non-Thesis | ||
Select two additional courses from the Electives list above | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Master's Research and Master's Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 21.0 | |
Water Resources Concentration
| Subject-Area Focused Courses | ||
| CIVE 6410 | Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling | 3.0 |
| CIVE 6420 | Sustainable Water Resources Engineering | 3.0 |
| CIVE 6430 | Groundwater Flow and Modeling | 3.0 |
| Electives | ||
| Select two of the following courses: | 6.0 | |
| Computational Fluid Dynamics in Buildings | ||
| Peace Engineering | ||
| Advanced Soil Mechanics | ||
| Earth Pressures and Retaining Structures | ||
| Slope Stability and Landslides | ||
| Seepage and Consolidation | ||
| Sustainable Water Field Class | ||
| Complex Water System Modeling | ||
| Physical and Chemical Processes | ||
Select any 5800-7800 level CIVE Special Topics course | ||
Select any 5900-7900 level CIVE Independent Study course | ||
Select any 5000-7999 level course with advisor approval | ||
| Optional Thesis | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 6.0 | |
| Non-Thesis | ||
Select two additional courses from the above Core/Foundational Courses and/or Electives lists | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Master's Research and Master's Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 21.0 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced proficiency in civil engineering principles related to structures, geotechnical engineering, or water resources.
- Apply advanced mathematics, mechanics, and computational methods to analyze and design civil infrastructure systems.
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex civil engineering problems while accounting for uncertainty, risk, and system performance.
- Design infrastructure solutions that consider technical, environmental, economic, and societal constraints.