Elevate your expertise
Planning to work in the civil and environmental engineering industry? With a master’s degree, you will likely begin your career at a higher level and earn a greater salary than those entering the field with a bachelor’s degree.
Two Degrees; Four Options
We offer a Master of Science degree with the option to complete either a full thesis or a professional engineering report with a smaller scope. Our M.S. programs have nine academic subdisciplines to choose from.
We also offer a Master of Engineering degree with only coursework (no thesis!). This degree can be completed on-campus under one of our seven M.E. academic tracks, or as a 100% online Master of Engineering in the area of water resources management.
Each of our master’s degrees provides an advanced education within a specialized area of interest to help you accelerate your career in civil and environmental engineering.
Which Degree
Is Right for You?
The key difference between a Master of Science (MS) and Master of Engineering (ME) is the approach to learning. The MS includes research or project-based learning. The ME is a coursework-only degree, emphasizing practical application and technical problem-solving.
While many employers do not distinguish between the two degrees when recruiting, some employers may prefer more extensive writing or research experience. Ultimately, your chosen degree should depend on your personal and professional goals.
- 30 credit hours
- Coursework only: No thesis or final report
- Average time to completion: 3 semesters
- Choose from seven academic tracks
- Provides knowledge and technical expertise for a career in the civil and environmental engineering industry
- 30 to 32 credit hours
- Requires thesis or professional engineering report
- Average time to completion: 4 semesters
- Choose from nine academic subdisciplines
- Provides knowledge and technical expertise for a career in the civil and environmental engineering industry
- Provides experience with large project management, including goal-setting, task prioritization, and time management
- Provides additional preparation to pursue a doctoral degree or career in academia or research
100% Online Options
We offer fully online graduate programs and courses to meet the diverse needs of our students.
Graduate Admission and Program Details
Prospective students can learn more about our requirements, objectives, and program details.
Apply Now
Start your graduate application today!
Advising and Graduate Student Resources
Current students can schedule an appointment with the graduate advisor and access tools to help plan their academic journey.
International Partnerships
For a Dual Master's Degree
Our department partners with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand to offer AIT students a Master of Science or Master of Engineering degree in Water Engineering and Management from AIT and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from CSU.