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Sustainable Engineering, MSE

Sustainable Engineering, MSE

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Sustainable Engineering, MSE

Earth Systems Engineering, Industrial Ecology, Sustainable Engineering, Sustainable Infrastructures, Sustainable Transportation, sustainable energy

Program description
Degree awarded: MSE  Sustainable Engineering

The MSE in sustainable engineering is a multidisciplinary graduate program ideal for professionals and graduate-level students with engineering and physical science backgrounds who wish to design a flexible individualized plan of study.

Courses cover such sustainable engineering topic areas as energy systems and alternative energy production; water, transportation or earth systems engineering; industrial ecology; life cycle assessment; environmental technologies; green construction practices; and sustainable technology systems.

The goal of sustainable engineering is to enable long-lasting improvement of the human condition. Sustainable engineering transcends traditional engineering education by integrating considerations of complex social, environmental, political and economic factors into engineering theory and practice in order to achieve more economically, technically, environmentally, institutionally and socially efficient and robust solutions.

At a glance
Degree requirements

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

Required Core (9 credit hours)

Infrastructure Systems Track (9 credit hours) or
Green Buildings and Construction Practices Track (9 credit hours) or
Earth Systems Engineering and Industrial Ecology Track (9 credit hours) or
Global Technology and Policy (9 credit hours)

Electives (6-12 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (0-6 credit hours)
comprehensive exam (0) or
applied project (3) or
thesis (6)

Additional Curriculum Information
All students will initially be admitted into the comprehensive exam option. To pursue the applied project or thesis option, students must have a faculty member willing to oversee them.

Students complete nine credit hours in one selected track. Available track options are infrastructure systems, green buildings and construction practices, earth systems engineering and industrial ecology, and global technology and policy. Students should see the academic unit for an approved course list.

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 the program if they have earned a bachelor's degree or master's degree 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.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. 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.

Students who have a degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, construction engineering, or mechanical engineering, or who have an engineering degree other than those listed, may be admitted with deficiencies as identified by the sustainable engineering faculty. If the applicant does not have an undergraduate degree in any of these programs, additional requirements may be necessary based on the applicant's background, including sufficient courses in mathematics that include calculus, differential equations and linear algebra. A faculty committee determines which required courses are needed on a case-by-case basis.

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.
Attend online
ASU Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

Career opportunities

Sustainable engineering graduates can pursue careers as:

  • corporate social responsibility sustainability professionals
  • sustainability consultants
  • sustainability managers
  • water engineering specialists
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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