Online Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering

The science of engineering is as old as civilization itself. As long as people have lived together in organized communities and used technology, engineers have invented, designed, and revolutionized the way we live. The design, construction, and maintenance of physical infrastructure is known as civil engineering. Although there are several sub-disciplines, civil engineers’ work generally involves roads, bridges, water supply, dams, airports, buildings, railways, and other facilities. And with an expanding world population, the need to plan, build, and maintain infrastructure is undeniably present all in all countries.

Earning a master’s degree in civil engineering can lead to a career in urban and regional planning, landscape architecture, construction management, or surveying, among other areas. Although some civil engineers work for private firms, there are many opportunities in the public sector and military. Depending on employment opportunities, some civil engineers are required to pass specific exams and obtain appropriate licenses such as the Professional Engineer (PE) credential.

Students of civil engineering are educated in a wide range of topics. Coursework for a typical master’s degree includes instruction in engineering statistics, design, environmental sustainability, preservation, improvement methods, biotechnology, and mechanics. Most institutions offering an online master’s degree also allow students to focus on specific areas of engineering.

Read more to learn about what it takes to have a career in civil engineering, understand what are the typical courses required to earn a degree, and meet three academic leaders in the field of civil engineering.

Featured Civil & Environmental Engineering Programs
Arizona State University	Construction Management and Technology (MS)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Earth & Environmental Sciences (BS)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Sustainability (BS)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Sustainable Engineering (MSE)	Visit Site
Ohio University	Online MSCE - Civil Engineering	Visit Site
Ohio University	Online MSCE - Construction Engineering Management	Visit Site
Ohio University	Online MSCE - Environmental Engineering	Visit Site
Ohio University	Online MSCE - Structural Engineering	Visit Site
American Public University	Environmental Science (BS)	Visit Site
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Meet the Expert: Taha F. Marhaba, PhD

Dr. Taha F. Marhaba is the distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). An internationally recognized expert in water quality engineering, his research focuses on drinking water treatment, pollution detection, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. He is widely recognized for developing the Spectral Fluorescent Signatures (SFS) technique, an innovative method for rapidly identifying organic contaminants in water.

Throughout his career, Dr. Marhaba has combined impactful research with a strong commitment to teaching, mentoring, and advancing the civil and environmental engineering profession.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What do you wish the public understood about online master’s degrees in civil engineering?

Dr. Marhaba: Although some say that employers don’t take online degrees as seriously, what really matters is that it’s earned at a reputable institution, such as NJIT. The primary purpose of the online program is its accessibility and flexibility to allow anyone to pursue the degree, regardless of their work schedule, personal commitments, or location. What counts is that the faculty guiding these students are well-versed in their subjects within civil engineering, and it’s important to find a university that is known to have a prestigious program, which NJIT offers, irrespective of the delivery method.

Additionally, some institutions—NJIT included—offer discounted tuition to employees from select companies to pursue an online master’s degree in civil engineering. It benefits all parties involved: students are supported financially to take courses while continuing to work, and companies help their employees upskill for a stronger workforce.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What advice would you give to aspiring students considering an online master’s degree in civil engineering?

Dr. Marhaba: Researching how each program is unique will help you choose the right one. Find out if there is an initiative that reduces tuition fees based on your current company if you are pursuing the degree while working. Check whether the concentration you’re most interested in is available and whether you can select your own courses.

Look into the faculty members about whether they have the specific background you may be looking to achieve yourself; have they worked in law, business, academia, or industry—in the public or private sector? For which specialization do you wish to have the most guidance?

Finally, decide on what kind of timeline you are considering for this degree; some institutions have more flexible options for earning your degree, and it can be as little as one year.

Featured Online Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering Programs

New Jersey Institute of Technology

The New Jersey Institute of Technology offers a fully online, 30-credit master of science in civil engineering designed for working professionals seeking to advance their technical expertise. Students can customize their studies by selecting courses in structural engineering, transportation, geotechnical engineering, construction engineering and management, environmental engineering, or water resources engineering.

The flexible curriculum is delivered asynchronously, allowing students to balance graduate study with professional commitments. Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field, and GRE scores are not required for admission./p>

Location: Newark, NJ
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Program length: Two years (part-time or full-time available)

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)
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)
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
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
Program length: 19 months

Ohio University

Prospective engineers can earn a master of science in civil engineering entirely online with The 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)
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
Program length: Three to five years

Kimmy Gustafson - Writer

With a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities in higher education, Kimmy Gustafson regularly contributes insightful articles to OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com, providing readers with a comprehensive view on the evolving landscape of engineering education since 2019. She has interviewed many engineering experts on a range of subjects, including geoengineering.

Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.

Farheen Gani - Writer

Farheen Gani has researched a wide array of topics related to engineering since 2018. She has written about electrical and computer engineering programs, structural engineering programs, mechanical engineer salaries, environmental engineering programs, and many other subfields of engineering. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).

Online Master’s Degrees in Sustainable Engineering

The cost of energy, the rise of illnesses related to pollution, and most importantly, climate change, have all prompted engineers to come up with sustainable ideas for development and innovation. These ideas range from the construction of residential and commercial buildings designed to be environmentally friendly to the development of new technologies for pollution control, waste disposal, or other public health concerns. Sustainable engineering uses current resources in an optimal manner so that it does not harmfully impact the environment, ensuring that present and future generations live in a safe and healthy world.

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Among all employment sectors, engineering and technology are stereotypically replete with introverts, people who derive more pleasure, satisfaction, and energy from being alone as opposed to being in groups. While that is the stereotype, some engineers are extroverts, receiving much of their energy and enjoyment from being in the company of others. Fortunately for this group of people, many engineering occupations aren’t as introverted as they’ve been assumed to be.

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Online Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering

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