Online Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering

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Professors to Know in Online Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering Programs

José Luis Chávez, PhD - Colorado State University

Dr. José Luis Chávez is an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Colorado State University. His research concentrates on drip irrigation systems, crop water management, irrigation efficiency, and evapotranspiration. At Colorado State University, he teaches courses on irrigation systems design and irrigation water management. Dr. Chávez is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, and the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. Dr. Chávez earned his bachelor’s degree from the Universidade Federal da Paraíba in Brazil, his master's in irrigation engineering from Utah State University, and his doctorate in biological and agricultural engineering from the same school.

Dianne K. Gilmer - University of Alabama in Birmingham

Dianne Gilmer is an instructor and assistant director of the online civil engineering program at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and the co-founder of the construction engineering management concentration in the master of engineering program. Before her career at the University of Alabama, Gilmer earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Samford University and worked as a successful spec coordinator for a local engineering firm. Today, Gilmer is involved in student recruitment and is responsible for working with course instructors on delivery, management, and communication. Professor Gilmer earned her master of engineering degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She completed her undergraduate degree in business administration and finance at Samford University.

Ken Walsh, PhD - Ohio University

Dr. Ken Walsh is an associate professor at Ohio University and the program director of the online master's in civil engineering. He has been teaching courses in mechanics, structural analysis, steel design, and structural dynamics since 2009. His research interests include passive and semi-active vibration control, vibration absorption and isolation, structural performance innovation, and structural health monitoring. Having previously served as visiting faculty at Bradley University and earning his degrees from Florida A&M University-Florida State University, Dr. Walsh has authored several publications on civil structures and truss towers. He has a bachelor's degree from Florida State University and a master's and doctorate from the Florida Agricultural Mechanical University—all in civil engineering.

Featured Online Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering Programs

Colorado State University

Colorado State University offers both a 30-credit master of engineering and a 32-credit master of science in civil engineering for students who want to focus on water resource management. The curriculum for both programs includes online courses on water control and management, hydrology, environmental monitoring, geographic information systems, infrastructure management, and more. Applicants to the master of science (MS) program must submit GRE scores but not those applying to the master of engineering (ME). The ME program is a coursework-only degree, while the MS entails a thesis, project paper, and final examination. Students may be required to come to campus for the oral exam.

  • Location: Fort Collins, CO
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Format: Online
  • Tuition: $936 per credit
  • Program length: Two to three years

University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois offers a 36-credit, non-thesis master of science in civil engineering that can be completed asynchronously. Students have five years to complete the program, and can choose to focus on construction management, infrastructure, transportation engineering, or structural engineering. The curriculum covers construction materials, environmental, geotechnical, structural, and water resource engineering. Prerequisites include a bachelor of science in a related field with a GPA of at least 3.0. All applicants must submit official GRE test scores.

  • Location: Urbana, IL
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Format: Online
  • Tuition: $1,084 per credit
  • Program length: Up to five years

Johns Hopkins University

Aspiring civil engineers can pursue either a master of civil engineering degree or a graduate certificate. Both pathways can be completed online or partially onsite, and students have the option to focus on structural engineering. Students take core classes in mathematical methods for engineers, structural mechanics, and geotechnical engineering principles. Elective options include advanced structural analysis, advanced foundation design, hydrogeology, and environmental biotechnology, among others. To earn the master’s degree, students must pass three core courses and seven electives. Applicants do not need to complete the GRE, but should have an undergraduate degree in civil engineering or similar field.

  • Location: Elkridge, MD
  • Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
  • Format: Online or hybrid
  • Tuition: $53,740 per year
  • Program length: Self-paced but within five years for the master’s degree and three years for the graduate certificate

University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama offers a 30-credit online master of engineering with a concentration in civil structural engineering, which students can complete entirely online. The curriculum includes the design of concrete and steel structures, project management, bridge engineering, structural dynamics, and more. All coursework is designed to be completed within 19 months. All students pay in-state tuition and can start during the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Although no entrance exams are required for U.S. students, applicants should hold an undergraduate engineering degree from an ABET-accredited program.

  • Location: Birmingham, AL
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Format: Online
  • Tuition: $2,400 per course
  • Program length: 19 months

Ohio University

Prospective engineers can earn a master of science in civil engineering entirely online with Ohio University. The core curriculum focuses on planning and scheduling, statistics, and writing. Students may choose to concentrate their studies on construction engineering and management, environmental, structural, or transportation engineering. Enrolled students will have access to a virtual software to complete each course and communicate with instructors and classmates. There is no GRE or GMAT requirement for admission. Students can begin the program in either the spring, summer, or fall semesters.

  • Location: Athens, OH
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Format: Online
  • Tuition: $24,504 for in-state students; $25,583 for out-of-state and international students
  • Program length: Two years

University of Idaho

The University of Idaho designed a 33-credit online civil engineering master's program that does not require students to write a thesis, but they do need to complete a technical paper. Courses can be completed part-time or entirely online.

Students can concentrate in environmental and sanitary engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydraulics and water resources engineering, structural engineering and mechanics, or transportation. Although most applicants hold a bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering, a bachelor of science in any other field also qualifies for eligibility. While students can complete all coursework online, they discuss any campus visits with their academic advisor. Most departments recommend that students come to school to take a comprehensive exam or present a paper after they have finished all of their coursework.

  • Location: Moscow, ID
  • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Format: Online with a possible one-day on-campus requirement
  • Tuition: $236 per credit for full-time students, $783 per credit for part-time students
  • Program length: Three to five years

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