Why earn a master’s in civil engineering?

While a master’s degree isn’t necessary to pursue a career as a civil engineer, it does give you a leg up in the industry.

Highly educated civil engineers are prepared to address contemporary issues such as increasing urbanization and aging infrastructure with confidence and expertise.

Not only will you have a more well-rounded and expanded understanding of key civil engineering areas, but you’ll be prepared to step into management roles, standout in a competitive job market and increase your potential earnings.

Career options after graduation include managing, supervising or leading civil engineering teams and projects, as well as pursuing roles including: Structural Engineer, Surveyor, Water Resource Engineer, Transportation Analyst, Project Engineer, Land Development Engineer and more. Many graduates of our program have stepped into key roles within their organization and put their knowledge to work immediately after completing the program.

The median annual wage for civil engineers was $88,570 in May 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete application for admission
2. Submit $65 non-refundable application fee
3. Submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work from accredited institutions
4. Check for Scholarships

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Admission Requirements

• Bachelor degree in civil engineering*
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 to be admitted in good standing (applicants with a lower GPA may obtain conditional admission)
• Two recommendation letters – use provided forms [PDF]

* Applicants with similar degrees will be considered on a case-by-case basis

No GRE required for admission.

Send all materials to:
Graduate Admissions
University of Louisville
2211 S. Brook Street
Louisville, KY 40292
gradadm@louisville.edu

International Students – Additional Notes/Requirements

• Bachelor's degrees earned internationally must be assessed to ensure that entrance requirements are met.
• If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to view special requirements for international students.
• International students will not be issued a U.S. visa if admitted to the online MSCE program, since there are no campus attendance requirements.

Credit Transfer

You may transfer up to six credit hours of graduate coursework from an accredited university, pending department approval. See the Graduate School Transfer of Credit Policy for more information.

The online MSCE is a 30 credit hour (10 course) program with course options that allow you to pursue your interests in areas like management, communications and geography.

To optimize the mix of courses in your program, contact your advisor each semester prior to registration.

See other available courses in the Transportation Engineering Certificate and the Structural Engineering Certificate, also 100% online.

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Course Descriptions

• Is this program ABET-accredited?
  No, typically bachelor's in engineering programs are ABET-accredited while master's in engineering degrees are typically not ABET-accredited. The University of Louisville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Can I earn the online M.S. in Civil Engineering degree and one of the Graduate Certificates at the same time?
  Yes! You can work toward earning both your M.S. in Civil Engineering and either the Graduate Certificate in Structural Engineering or Transportation Engineering at the same time. If you let the academic adviser know when making the degree plan, you can finish both programs within 10 classes.
• Can I receive credit for graduate courses completed at another institution?
  Once admitted, students may request department permission to transfer up to six (6) credit hours from an accredited graduate program. Only courses that have not counted towards another degree program will be considered. See the Graduate School Transfer of Credit Policy for more information.
• What bachelor’s degrees, other than engineering, are acceptable for admission in the MS Civil Engineering program?
  Students must have a bachelor's in civil engineering. Similar degrees and professional experience in concrete design may, on a case by case basis, be accepted for admission. International students must have the equivalent of a BSCE.
• Are GRE scores required for admission?
  No! There is no GRE or GMAT requirement for admission into the online master's in civil engineering at UofL.
• Are scholarships available for the MSCE program?
  No, at this time there are no scholarships available. However, some employers may provide tuition support through employer reimbursement programs.