Civil Engineering (MS)

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Our comprehensive program allows students to pursue a graduate degree in civil engineering while gaining expertise in the field. Students may choose one of our four concentrations:

Environmental/Water Resources

Geotechnical Engineering

Structural Engineering

Transportation Engineering

Whether students are working professionals or full-time students, this program introduces them to the skills and knowledge they need for professional advancement. Opportunities to conduct field and lab-based research are available, and students will learn from highly qualified faculty who are experts in their respective fields.

This program is offered through the School of Engineering.

Specializations Available

Environmental/water resources

Environmental engineering includes the design and operation of water distribution and wastewater collection systems, water and wastewater treatment facilities, managing biosolids and solid waste, as well as preventing pollution. Water resources engineering includes designing and maintaining stormwater facilities to manage both the quantity and quality of runoff. Facilities could include green roofs, permeable pavements, retention basins, infiltration basins and many more.

Geotechnical

Geotechnical engineering includes the design of shallow and deep foundations, slopes, retaining walls, levees, subsurface exploration programs, underground openings such as tunnels and mines, base/subbase/subgrade of roadways, and soil improvements under static, hydrostatic, and earthquake loadings.

Structural

Structural engineering includes the design of buildings and bridges, considering loads such as wind, earthquakes and people. Designs could include materials such as concrete, steel, timber, masonry and fiber-reinforced polymers.

Transportation

Transportation engineering focuses on the design of facilities that enable the mobility of travelers. These include designing highways, traffic signals and pavements. Transportation engineers consider factors such as pedestrian and traffic safety, evacuations, pavement management and intelligent transportation systems.

What can I do with a degree in civil engineering?

A graduate degree in civil engineering from SIUE opens doors for students in a variety of areas. Potential employers include consulting engineering companies, government agencies, industries, or academia. With the right experience and advanced education, students can become self-employed consultants.

An education from SIUE prepares students for advancement opportunities and places them in a better position to get the job they want in a competitive employment market.

Our program prepares students to meet engineering education requirements established by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In addition, future professional engineering (PE) licenses might require a Master of Science.

Improve your ability to take and pass the Practices and Principles of Engineering exam.

This program allows you to complete one year of experience toward your PE license, a benefit that does not apply to an MBA. (Learn more)
Learn materials relevant to the PE exam
Take advantage of courses to refine your study skills for preparing to take the PE exam
Textbooks from your master’s courses are useful references for the PE exam and to build your personal library

Find the job and the projects you want.

Many civil engineering employers prefer those with a master’s degree.
Some employers require new hires to have a master’s in civil engineering.
Civil engineers with graduate degrees earn more annually compared to those with undergraduate degrees.
Larger and more challenging projects are more commonly managed by those with master’s degrees.