Program Overview

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Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Civil and Environmental Engineering program at San José State University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of civil engineering. The program is offered through the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering.

Program Overview

The program offers a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) degree, which is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in civil engineering. The program is structured to provide students with a strong foundation in the principles of civil engineering, as well as specialized knowledge in a specific area of concentration.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the MSCE program, students must complete a minimum of 30 units of coursework, including:

• At least 15 units of 200-level courses in Civil Engineering
• At least 21 units of work in residence at SJSU
• A minimum of 18 units of graded coursework
• No more than 6 units of CE 299 thesis courses
• Completion of SJSU graduate writing requirement (GWAR)

Satisfying the University's Written English Requirement

All graduate students must demonstrate competence in written English as a requirement for graduation. This can be satisfied in one of three ways:

1. Satisfactory completion of a GWAR course
2. Approval by the College of Graduate Studies of a professional publication written in English for which the candidate was a primary author
3. Completion of a master's or doctoral program with a substantive writing requirement at an accredited university in which the primary language of instruction is English

Admission to Candidacy and Graduate Degree Program

After completing the writing requirement and receiving classified status, students must apply for candidacy for the MSCE degree. The "request for approval of candidacy" form includes a listing of the courses (30 units) which will be used as the student's graduate degree program.

Preparing to File the Candidacy Form

To prepare for filing the candidacy form, students must:

• Complete the graduate writing requirement
• Be a classified graduate student
• Fill out a candidacy form
• List only 10 graduate/elective courses with grades and semesters taken on the form
• Select one of three options: thesis, project, or culminating experience

Filing the Candidacy Form

To file the candidacy form, students must:

• Attach a copy of their Letter of Admission into the MS Program in Civil Engineering
• Attach a copy of their most recent transcripts
• Meet with their graduate advisor to review the candidacy form

Apply for the MS Degree Award

Students must apply for the award of the MS degree by the deadline dates. The payment of the diploma fee is a part of this process.

Complete a Culminating Experience

Students must complete a culminating experience, which may be done by:

• Completing an acceptable thesis (Plan A)
• Completing a creative project or comprehensive examination (Plan B)

Finishing the MS Degree Requirements

To finish the MS degree requirements, students must:

• Complete all the courses on the approved graduate program with grades of A, B, C, or CR
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA in all CE courses on the approved graduate program
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA in all courses on the approved graduate program
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA in all upper division and graduate courses taken at SJSU while a post-baccalaureate student at SJSU

Steps for Completing the MS Degree Program

The steps for completing the MS degree program are:

1. Attend the CE MS Welcome Back event
2. Familiarize yourself with SJSU Policies on completing requirements for the MSCE Degree
3. Identify your Primary and Secondary Areas of Specialization
4. Meet with your Discipline Advisor in your first semester to plan your coursework
5. Complete paperwork to transfer credit courses completed outside of your program
6. Complete the requirements for your MS degree
7. File for Candidacy
8. Complete your culminating experience
9. Submit a Course Substitution form, if necessary
10. Complete your degree program requirements in good standing

Areas of Study

The MSCE program offers several areas of study, including:

• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering

Research Areas

The faculty in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department are involved in a wide range of research areas, including:

• Structural analysis and design
• Transportation planning and engineering
• Water resources management
• Geotechnical engineering
• Environmental engineering

Facilities and Resources

The Civil and Environmental Engineering department has a range of facilities and resources available to students, including:

• State-of-the-art laboratories
• Computer facilities
• Library resources
• Research centers and institutes

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the MSCE program have a wide range of career opportunities available to them, including:

• Consulting engineering
• Government agencies
• Private industry
• Research and development
• Academia

Admission Criteria

To be admitted to the MSCE program, students must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Submit official transcripts
• Submit official test scores (GRE or TOEFL)
• Submit letters of recommendation
• Submit a statement of purpose

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the MSCE program vary depending on the student's residency status and the number of units taken. For more information, please consult the SJSU website.