M.S. - Civil and Environmental Engineering

Graduates of Civil and Environmental Engineering programs at PSU are in high demand with regional agencies and industry. Federal, State and local government agencies, as well as civil, structural, geotechnical, transportation and environmental engineering consulting firms recruit graduates from the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department.

The Master's program in civil engineering is designed to provide students with the technical and professional knowledge necessary to develop their abilities to seek creative solutions to complex problems in their field of interest. The program involves advanced courses in the areas of structural analysis and design, transportation engineering, water resources, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, and project management, as well as science and mathematics. Flexibility is achieved by designing programs of study to meet individual needs.

Specialty Areas

• Structural Analysis and Design
• Environmental Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Water Resources

Master’s of Science students must complete a thesis or research project conducted under the supervision of faculty.

1. The first option involves a total of 45 credits, including 6-9 hours of thesis.
2. The second option requires completion of 45 credit hours, including 4 hours of research project that includes a research report and technical presentation.

Note that there has been a change in the Masters of Science program requirements as of Fall 2005. The coursework-only option (48 credit hours) for Master's students is now part of our Master of Engineering program.

PSU’s Office of Graduate Studies is the principal resource concerning advanced degree requirements, degree status, petition processes, thesis or dissertation preparation, and final oral exam.

How to Apply

Degree Requirements

At the earliest possible date, preferably within the first term but no later than the end of the second term following admission, a candidate must prepare a program of study and research in consultation and with approval of his/her faculty advisor. A copy of the Program of Study Form for the MS degree should be on file with the Department.

It is possible for students to obtain an M.S. degree in two options outlined below. The availability of these options is dependent upon faculty resources in the candidate's field of interest.

Thesis Option(45 credit hours)

• As described in the PSU Bulletin, this option requires 36-39 hours of approved graduate course work, which may include up to 6 hours of CE 501, 504, 505, 506, and 6-9 hours of thesis (CE 503).
• A thesis student must be registered for at least one credit in which the student is working on any phase of the thesis. Additional thesis guidelines and rules can be found in the Office of Graduate Studies.
• Successful completion of a final oral exam is required.
• A minimum of 30 credit hours must be taken in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department unless approved by the Department Chair.

Research Project Option (45 credit hours)

• This option requires a minimum of 41 credit hours of approved graduate course work, which may include up to 8 hours of CE 504, 505, 506, plus 4 hours of CE 501 Research.
• A research project report and technical presentation are required.
• A minimum of 30 credit hours must be taken in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department unless approved by the Department Chair.

Reservation of Graduate Credits

If graduate courses taken while an undergraduate at PSU and not used in the bachelor's degree are to be considered for use in the graduate program, the “Reservation of Graduate Credit” form (GO-10) must be filed in the Office of Graduate Studies no later than the term following admission to a graduate degree program. (Valid only for courses completed at PSU.)

Transfer Credits

A maximum of 16 graduate credit hours for the Research Project or Coursework option (15 maximum for Thesis option) may be taken before formal admission to the graduate program in CEE. Any courses taken at PSU or at another accredited institution before formal admission are considered transfer credits. If transfer credit from another accredited institution is to be presented, the “Proposed Pre-Admission and Transfer Credit” form (GO-21) must be filed in the Office of Graduate Studies for approval. It is suggested that this form be submitted early in the student's program; it must be approved before the Graduate Degree Program (GO-12) can be approved.

Continuation Criteria

Civil Engineering courses for which the student receives a grade of "C+" or lower will not be counted toward fulfilling the requirements, and a candidate is disqualified if he/she receives a grade of "C+" or lower in four Civil Engineering courses. Admitted graduate students will be placed on probation by PSU if their cumulative full-time graduate GPA is below 3.00 at the end of any term or any term GPA is below 2.67. Restrictions on graduation, advancement to candidacy, etc. will apply to students who are on probation. Consult the PSU Bulletin for more detailed information.

Advancement to Candidacy

To become a candidate for the master’s degree, a student must successfully complete all departmental requirements for either the thesis or research option, in addition the University requirements. Two terms before graduation, an “Approved Graduate Degree Program” form (GO-12) should be filled out with advisor, signed by the Chair, and returned to the Office of Graduate Studies before the first day of the term of graduation. GO-12 forms can be picked up in the CEE office or in OGS. The GO-12 is the student’s official “contract” with the Office of Graduate Studies outlining what courses will be used for their Master’s Degree. After the GO-12 is approved, changes to the student’s graduate program must be approved and official changes made through OGS. Additional forms are required of students in the thesis option. An Incomplete or In-Progress grade in any course (except “thesis) must be removed no later than two weeks before graduation. Students must file an “Application for Degree” form in OGS no later than the first week of the term of graduation. Once the student has completed all the credits on his/her GO-12, the Department and advisor will submit a “Master’s Recommendation for Degree” form (GO-17M) to OGS. Master’s forms and deadlines are available on the Office of Graduate Studies web page.