Build the skills to design and maintain infrastructure while advancing toward professional engineering licensure.
Program Format
100% Online
10 Total Courses
(30 credits)
Top 30
Public university
Tuition Cost $29,850
Upcoming Start Information
Start Date
May 12, 2025
App Deadline
April 28, 2025
Time to Completion
Flexible: Students can complete this program in 1-2 years
Civil Engineering Program Overview
87%
of Alumni Are Employed Full Time
of Alumni Are Employed Full Time
2023 M.S. in Civil Engineering Graduate Students
Reach new heights in your career and shape the future of infrastructure with the online M.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University. This degree combines flexible online learning with the resources afforded by an R1 research institution, including advanced software, personalized mentorship from industry experts and real-world insights from MSU’s on-campus transportation system.
The online M.S. in Civil Engineering provides you with the skills to tackle complex infrastructure projects. This degree, which is built for busy professionals, equips you with the design methods and materials expertise to overcome any engineering challenge you may face in your career.
Guided by faculty with years of industry experience, you’ll master data-driven strategies to design functional, sustainable and safe infrastructure. In as little as a year, you’ll be ready to start working toward professional licensure.
Master’s in Civil Engineering at a Glance
Industry-standard software
Statistical modeling and econometric analysis
Quantitative research
R programming and data science
Focus Areas
This degree can also be customized to fit your career goals. Pursue a general track to explore a broad range of course topics, or specialize in Pavement Engineering, Transportation Engineering or Structural Engineering to gain the targeted expertise you need to excel.
With this focus area, you’ll become an expert in a critical area of transportation infrastructure. You’ll learn to design, preserve and repair pavement with courses such as:
- Pavement Rehabilitation
- Engineering Management of Pavement Network
- Bituminous Materials
You’ll graduate ready to develop safe, sustainable solutions for the future of pavement infrastructure.
Learn to design essential infrastructure and make your mark as a transportation engineer. Core courses include:
- Highway Design
- Principles of Traffic Engineering
- Highway and Traffic Safety
You’ll also master industry-standard tools related to design and data analysis, learn how to perform and evaluate research, and explore emerging technologies such as connected and autonomous vehicles.
With the Structural Engineering focus area, you’ll deepen your understanding of materials and design, refine your analytical thinking and explore special topics such as bridge design and sustainability. Core courses include:
- Advanced Steel Design
- Advanced Concrete Design
- Bridge Engineering
You’ll graduate ready to design safe, innovative structures that are built to last.
Explore the curriculum and choose a focus area that’s right for you.
Achieve Your Career Goals With Professional Licensure
This program is designed to meet the academic requirements for becoming a professional engineer (PE). You’ll graduate with the advanced knowledge needed to pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam, a crucial step toward licensure.
Becoming licensed as a PE is often a vital step in a civil engineer’s career. Though regulations vary by state, you generally must be a licensed PE to prepare, sign, seal and submit engineering work for official approval or to serve clients directly.
To become a PE, you must generally:
- Graduate from an ABET-accredited program
- Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and become an engineer intern
- Gain four years of professional experience
- Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam
Note that qualifications may vary by state. Be sure to verify that you fulfill local requirements for exam registration and professional licensure.
Education beyond the bachelor’s degree can help to fulfill state requirements for work experience and prepare you to succeed on the PE exam.
MSU Civil Engineering Faculty
Our online civil engineering instructors are the same experts who teach on campus. As active researchers and practitioners, our faculty bring a wealth of professional knowledge to the classroom. They continually update curricula to incorporate current best practices, real-world data and industry-standard software, ensuring you benefit from the latest advancements in civil engineering.
MSU’s faculty members contribute to numerous state and federal engineering projects, including those funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). They also collaborate with associations and agencies like AASHTO, the Transportation Research Board (TRB), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). They are actively involved in professional organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Academy of Pavement Science and Engineering (APSE) and Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT).
With their commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and individualized mentorship, our instructors help students build the skills to shape successful careers.
Learn more about MSU faculty.
“MSU is uniquely positioned at the cutting edge in terms of the state of the art and the state of the practice. Students complete the M.S. in Civil Engineering with insights into pavement and transportation engineering, while the online setting makes the program amenable to working professionals.”
Peter T. Savolainen
MSU Foundation Professor and Interim Chairperson of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Career Outlook
6%
Employment of civil engineers is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033.
— U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
MSU Graduates Are the Future of Infrastructure
The infrastructure of tomorrow will be defined by forward-thinking engineers. Equipped with specialized knowledge and creative problem-solving skills, graduates of MSU’s online M.S. in Civil Engineering program are making an impact at top organizations in Michigan and across the U.S. Working at the forefront of their field, our alumni are the innovators who will envision, build and maintain the next generation of infrastructure.
Top Employers
- AECOM
- DLZ Corporation
- Fishbeck, Thompson, Car, & Huber (FTC&H)
- GFA, Inc.
- Hubbell Roth and Clark
- Keller
- Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
- NV5
- Ruby + Associates, Inc. Structural Engineers
- Ruby+Associates
Admission Summary
It’s fast and easy to apply! Just follow a few simple steps.
Step 1: Complete the online application
- It only takes minutes – Start Your Application
Step 2: Submit documents:
- Official transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- Academic and personal statements
Step 3: Application fee:
- $65 domestic, $75 international
Prepare to achieve your professional goals
Once you’ve been admitted, get ready to enroll in classes and transform your career.
Transfer Credits
Save money and accelerate your degree by transferring credits. It’s easy to get started — reach out to an admission counselor for step-by-step guidance.
Get Your Questions Answered
Need help? We’re here to simplify the application process. Get all the information you need in just one phone call. Call (888) 351-8360 (toll-free) to speak with an admission counselor.
Request Brochure
To learn more about Michigan State University’s online master’s programs in engineering and download a free brochure, fill out the fields below to request information. You can also call us toll-free at (888) 351-8360.