2023 Best Online Master's Degrees in Civil Engineering

The University of Southern California (USC) is a private institution that features a Master of Science in Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering requiring 28 credit hours. Full-time students usually complete this degree in under two years, while part-time students may take between two to three years.

At USC, students use Blackboard as their learning management system (LMS), which delivers courses online. The core curriculum for this program emphasizes experimental and analytical studies as they relate to infrastructure and its relation to human and environmental behaviors. Here are three examples of required courses: Advanced Mechanics, Dynamics of Structures, and UQ Concepts. This is a non-thesis program with no practicum. Career opportunities include environmental engineers, project planners, and architects.

Columbia University in the City of New York (CU) is a private university that offers a Master of Science in Civil Engineering. This degree requires 30 credit hours, which is generally completed in two years while studying full time. CU students can choose from civil engineering concentration options, such as geotechnical engineering and structural analysis and design.

CourseWorks is the main LMS used by CU students during their online degree programs. The civil engineering curriculum is flexible, and the majority of required credits are devoted toward the core curriculum — including classes in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, Theory of Vibrations, and Uncertainty and Risk in Infrastructure Systems. An additional 12 credits are required for elective courses that may include Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or Principles of Applied Mathematics. In general, civil engineering master's graduates may pursue roles as transportation engineers, project engineers, and traffic engineers.

North Carolina State University (NCSU) is a public institution with a Master of Civil Engineering requiring 30 credit hours. Typically, students graduate within two years while studying full time. There are a variety of concentrations to choose from, such as transportation systems, construction engineering, and structures and mechanics.

All online courses at NCSU are delivered through the Moodle LMS, which allows students to study fully online, with no requirements for on-campus visits or residencies. The curriculum looks at advanced computer applications and systems analysis for modern-day engineering. Among the major requirements are Computer-Aided Engineering Systems, Advanced Topics in Civil Engineering Computing, and Introduction to Numerical Methods for Civil Engineers. No thesis is required for graduation. Graduates are often prepared to become transportation, water, and wastewater engineers.

Ohio University - Main Campus (OU) is a public university offering a Master of Science in Civil Engineering that requires a minimum of 29 credit hours. If studying full time, students can complete this program in two years. Students may choose from four concentrations: (1) Construction Engineering and Management, (2) Environmental Engineering, (3) Structural Engineering, and (4) Transportation Engineering.

At OU, students use the Blackboard LMS to access their core courses, which are taught completely online. The curriculum for this civil engineering program uses advanced mathematics and physical science in order to train engineers to design and build with ecology in mind. Required courses include Engineering Writing, Project Management, and Civil Engineering Seminar. Graduates may have career opportunities as structural engineers, environmental engineers, and transportation engineers.

Villanova University (VU) is a private institution with a Master of Science in Civil Engineering requiring at least 30 credit hours. Generally, those who are studying full time are likely to complete the degree in two years. The curriculum also features five concentrations, such as Transportation Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, and Environmental Engineering.

VU uses the Blackboard LMS to deliver online coursework. This software allows students to finish their degrees entirely online, with the option to add on-campus classes. While classes will vary depending on the chosen emphasis, some classes may include Lake, Stream and Wetland Ecology; Foundation Engineering; and Construction Project Management. Students may choose between a thesis or a non-thesis track. Graduates may go on to work for architecture, construction, and engineering firms.