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Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, MS

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, MS

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, MS

Build, Environment, Environmental, Geotechnical Engineer, Hydrology, Sustainability, Transportation Engineer, approved for STEM-OPT extension, biogeochemistry, building, engineeringgrad, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), structures

Program description
Degree awarded: MS  Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering

The faculty in civil, environmental and sustainable engineering offer a graduate program leading to an MS degree in civil, environmental and sustainable engineering. The program is designed to enhance the knowledge gained in the undergraduate program by requiring students to understand and practice fundamental concepts in engineering, mathematics and the basic sciences.

The pattern of coursework applicable to the degree is potentially unique for each student, although it must conform to the general guidelines for subject matter content for the degree, as authorized here and on the program's website.

Students are admitted to one of the following specialty areas in engineering:

  • environmental
  • geotechnical
  • hydrosystems
  • structural
  • sustainable
  • transportation

STEM-OPT for international students on F-1 visas

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.

The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the degree through ASU Online.

At a glance
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Degree requirements

30 credit hours and a thesis, or
30 credit hours and a written comprehensive exam, or
30 credit hours and a written comprehensive exam (MIP), or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (CEE 593)

All candidates for the master's degree thesis option are required to complete 24 credit hours of approved graduate coursework and a minimum of six credit hours of CEE 599 Thesis. The written thesis must be original research in nature. Additional courses may be assigned by the graduate supervisory committee, depending on the candidate's background. A final oral examination in defense of the thesis written work is required.

Candidates in the applied project option must complete 27 credit hours of approved graduate coursework and three credit hours of CEE 593 Applied Project.

Candidates in the comprehensive exam option must complete 30 credit hours of approved graduate coursework and complete a written comprehensive exam.

Admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

Applicants are eligible to apply to this program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree with a major in engineering or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants with a lower GPA may be admitted provisionally at the discretion of the admission committee.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. three letters of recommendation
  4. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Those seeking a teaching assistantship must demonstrate proficiency in spoken English with a score of 55 or better on the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit or a score of 26 on the speaking portion of the TOEFL.

The student's credentials for admission are evaluated by the graduate program chair and a committee chaired by the specialty area coordinator. A student whose undergraduate degree is not in civil engineering is required to take appropriate undergraduate courses as deficiency courses to establish a base of knowledge in the discipline. Deficiencies for admission to the graduate degree program are specified at the time of admission, and details can be obtained from the graduate studies section of the program's website.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and personal statement.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Application deadlines
SessionModalityDeadlineType
Session A/CIn Person 03/01Priority
SessionModalityDeadlineType
Session A/CIn Person 10/01Priority
Career opportunities

This program prepares graduates to be civil engineers who typically focus on large projects such as buildings, roads, bridges, subway systems, dams and water supply networks.

Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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