Program Overview

Master of Science (MS) in Civil Engineering

The Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree program at the University of Central Florida reflects the broad nature of the field, which encompasses the design, construction, and enhancement of the infrastructure of society. It provides an opportunity to advance knowledge and specialize in one of four subdisciplines, including structural and geotechnical engineering, transportation systems engineering, water resources engineering, and smart cities.

Program at a Glance

• Program: Master of Science in Civil Engineering
• College: College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Department: Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering
• Duration: 2 years
• Tuition:
  • In-state: $369.65 per credit hour
  • Out-of-state: $1,276.48 per credit hour

Create Safe and Sustainable Solutions

The program offers the flexibility and convenience of fully online tracks, allowing students to balance work, school, and life. Civil engineering graduates often find positions in consulting firms, construction and construction-related industries, government agencies, and academic institutions. This program prepares students for professional licensure and certification opportunities to further their careers. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available.

Tracks

• Smart Cities Track: Explore areas of smart transportation, smart and resilient infrastructure, and smart and technological advancements in environmental engineering and water resources.
• Structural and Geotechnical Engineering Track: Focus on the engineering, analysis, design, and construction of built infrastructure, emphasizing above-ground and below-ground engineering.
• Transportation Systems Engineering Track: Focus on transportation planning and operations, traffic engineering, and construction engineering.
• Water Resources Engineering Track: Focus on water resources modeling, hydraulics, and hydrology.

Highlights

• UCF's smart cities master's degree track in civil engineering is the nation's first such degree offered in the engineering field.
• UCF's civil engineering program ranks in the top 40 nationwide according to ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2020.
• Nationwide, the projected job growth for civil engineers is expected to increase by more than 6% in the coming years.
• Civil engineer graduates earn an annual average salary of $92K.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: July 1
• Spring: December 1

Course Overview

Courses include:

• Smart City Built Infrastructure
• Matrix Methods for Structural Analysis
• Traffic Engineering
• Hydraulic Engineering

Civil Engineering Skills

Students will learn to:

• Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
• Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences and function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.

Career Opportunities

• Water/Wastewater Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Transportation Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Engineering Manager
• Construction Manager
• Site Engineer
• Structural Engineer
• Geotechnical Engineer

Admission Requirements

The MS in Civil Engineering degree at UCF offers four tracks, each with different requirements, including what's needed to submit an application and articulation courses. The number of prerequisites depends on whether the student's background is within the discipline of civil engineering. Required application materials may include:

• Resume
• Official transcripts
• Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives
• Letters of recommendation

Degree Requirements

• Total Credit Hours Required: 30 credit hours minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
• The MS degree offers both thesis and non-thesis options, with each requiring 30 credit hours of acceptable graduate work.
• The thesis option requires a 6 credit hour thesis project.
• The non-thesis option requires an additional 6 credit hours of electives and an end-of-program portfolio submission.

Faculty Research Interests

Faculty research interests include geotechnical studies of subsurface conditions, soil testing, intelligent transportation systems, traffic safety, structural dynamics, nonlinear structural analysis and software development, reinforced concrete, construction engineering, hydraulic modeling, coastal ocean modeling, stormwater management, and watershed management.