Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering

Master of Engineering (ME) or Plan C

Program Overview

The coursework-only option provides an opportunity to enhance an individual’s knowledge in a sub-discipline of civil and environmental engineering and apply that knowledge as a practicing engineer. Engineers who want to advance their careers should consider this degree.

Curriculum Requirements

  1. A minimum of 30 credit hours is required, at least 15 credit hours must be regular graduate-level courses in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
    • Regular graduate-level Civil and Environmental Engineering courses include courses with a CIVE prefix that are numbered 5XX, 6XX, or 7XX and with the last two digits ranging from 00 through 82 (e.g., CIVE 655).
  2. A minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework must be earned for courses at the 500 or higher level.
  3. Up to 6 credits hours of 300- or 400-level coursework may be taken.
  4. Up to 3 credit hours of a 300- or 400-level CIVE courses may count towards the degree if the course is not required to satisfy background coursework. Examples include CIVE 367, 441, 442, 438, 466 and MIP 300.
    • No lower-division (100- and 200-level) courses may be used to satisfy graduate program requirements, although these courses may be included as background courses.
  5. A minimum of 24 credit hours must be earned at Colorado State University, 21 of which must be earned after admission to the Graduate School. Credits used for one master’s degree may not be used for a second master’s degree.
  6. No non-regular courses will count towards graduation. Non-regular courses include independent study, thesis, and seminar courses.
    • Regular graduate-level courses include courses that are numbered 500 and above and with the last two digits from 00 through 82.
  7. A thesis, engineering report, or final examination (defense) is not required.

The ME degree within the CEE Department has six tracks that cover different sub-disciplines of civil and environmental engineering. Although there may be some required courses for each sub-discipline, students also have the flexibility to work with their faculty advisor to select courses in more than one track and/or outside of civil and environmental engineering that complement their academic and professional goals.

ME students must select one of the following tracks: