Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Advance your career with Purdue University’s top ranked online Master of Science in Civil Engineering. Designed for professionals, this flexible program covers key areas such as structural engineering, transportation systems, and construction management. Benefit from Purdue’s engineering excellence and industry-relevant curriculum to tackle complex infrastructure challenges. Take the next step toward leadership in civil engineering with a program tailored to your goals.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Overview
Build Your Expertise in Civil Engineering
Designed for civil engineering professionals seeking to advance their technical expertise and leadership skills, Purdue’s #2 ranked online Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) equips engineers to tackle complex infrastructure challenges. Through in-depth coursework and applied learning in a flexible online format, students gain expertise in structural design, transportation systems, construction management, and emerging trends in civil engineering.
Students will develop the analytical and problem-solving skills needed to assess, design, and manage large-scale engineering projects while integrating sustainability and innovation. With Purdue’s renowned faculty and rigorous curriculum, the MSCE program provides a comprehensive education that blends technical mastery, ethical decision-making, and industry leadership.
The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.
Program Specifics
Application Requirements:
- Transcripts from all universities attended
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 2 statements of purpose
- A professional resume
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (international students only)
- Full admissions requirements
- Application Fee
Prerequisite courses required:
Math Background: Three semesters of Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra
Engineering Background: Preferred undergraduate background in Engineering, Physical Sciences or a related field. Other course prerequisites may apply depending on the classes you choose to enroll in.
More information on courses and faculty can be found at the program website.
Students must complete 30 credit hours to earn their MSCE. Below includes the list of required courses.
- 15 credit hours of CE graduate level courses (500000 level and above)
- 6 credit hours of applied math and/or statistics courses from a pre-approved list:
- 9 credit hours of technical electives
Tracks Available
Infrastructure, Resiliency, and Sustainability
The IRS track provides students with a solid foundation in the analysis, design, and construction of civil infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on sustainable materials, natural resilience, and the latest advancements in infrastructure planning and construction. Students are required to complete 9 credit hours from the following course categories:
- Introduction to Advanced Structural Engineering
- Advanced Construction Materials and NDT
- Digital Twin of Infrastructure
- Advanced Steel Specialist
Smart Mobility (SM)
The SM provides students with hands-on experience in studying emerging technologies in transportation engineering and related fields. Students will explore methods for assessing the safety, efficiency, sustainability, and societal impacts of smart mobility systems. This track emphasizes practical learning and equips students with the skills to evaluate and implement cutting-edge transportation solutions. The SM track requires students to take 15 core courses below :
- Geospatial Data Analytics
- Introduction to Scientific Machine Learning
- Intellectual Property for Engineers
- Artificial Intelligence
- Optimization methods for systems control
- Introduction for Engineering Leaders
- Introduction to Deep Learning
9 additional credits hours are required in technical courses
6 credit hours Applied math of Statistics
Sustainable Water (SW)
The SW track equips students with the fundamental knowledge of water quality and quantity, preparing them to develop solutions to water shortages and other water-related challenges. As water crises continue to emerge, these skills will be increasingly valuable. The program features two core areas: water quantity/hydraulics and water quality/environmental. Students must complete at least six credits from one area and nine credits from the other, totaling 15 core credits.
Tackle Real-World Challenges
Through Specialized Tracks Students customize their learning by selecting one of three industry-focused tracks: Sustainable Water; Infrastructure, Resiliency, and Sustainability; or Smart Mobility. Through these tracks, students work on targeted projects, such as designing resilient water systems for drought-prone regions, engineering infrastructure to withstand natural disasters, or developing intelligent transportation networks for smart cities. This hands-on approach allows students to address critical global challenges while gaining expertise in their chosen area.
Apply Cutting-Edge Tools and Technologies
From advanced simulation software to geospatial analysis tools, students gain hands-on experience with the latest technologies shaping the civil engineering field. By applying these tools to case studies and real-world data, students learn how to turn theoretical concepts into actionable solutions for sustainable infrastructure, water resource management and urban mobility.
Collaborative Problem-Solving
Through team-based projects, students work alongside peers and faculty to address complex engineering problems. These collaborations simulate real-world scenarios, fostering leadership, communication and strategic thinking skills that prepare students to excel in diverse professional environments.
Water Resources Engineer learned new software skills, advanced her expertise and gained time management skills within the online Master’s in Civil Engineering
Water resource engineer, Mingxi Lin, loves that her job challenges her. Her work is complex, technical, and important – water resource engineers play a critical role in managing one of the world’s most crucial and delicate resources. And since the technologies and methods engineers use to do their jobs are constantly changing, there’s always more to learn.
For many professionals, earning a master’s degree can provide a big return-on-investment. In addition to financial benefits like salary increases and promotions, master’s degrees also help professionals learn in-demand skills, which can improve their job prospects, help them pivot to a new industry, or help them stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Many employers value the advanced skills that master’s programs teach, and research shows that job candidates with master’s degrees have average salary increases from 25% to more than 75% in select fields. Ask your enrollment counselor for details on Purdue’s online master’s programs or learn more about the benefits of earning a master’s here.
Career Outcomes
Top Job Titles
- Structural Engineers
- Project Engineers
- Engineering Managers
- Engineers
- Civil Engineers
Top Industries
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System
- Instrument Manufacturing
- Aircraft Manufacturing
Source: LightcastTM (2023). Unique job postings for July 2022-2023. Projected growth for years 2023-2033.
Contact Us
You are not alone in taking your next giant leap.
Get your questions answered, receive application help, or plan your degree journey by speaking with an enrollment counselor. Request more information today by filling out this form to connect with a Purdue University enrollment counselor and receive additional program materials.
Ready to Become a Purdue Boilermaker?
Are you ready to join the Purdue innovators and changemakers always striving to make giant leaps forward in our industries and fields? Start your application today!