Program Overview

Master of Science in Environmental & Water Resources Engineering

The Master of Science in Environmental & Water Resources Engineering is a graduate program offered by the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering at the University of Kansas.

Overview

Civil engineering is the oldest engineering program at KU, with the first graduating class in 1873 including a civil engineer. Civil engineers design roads, water systems, bridges, dams, and other structures, providing nearly all the infrastructure needed by modern society. The environmental and water resources engineering (EWRE) and environmental and water resources science (EWRS) graduate programs were created in 2019 by combining existing programs in environmental engineering and science and water resources engineering.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering is to provide students with an outstanding engineering education and be a leader in research and service. This mission is supported by three goals:

1. Prepare students for productive engineering careers.
2. Maintain and grow strong research programs.
3. Serve the profession.

Admission Requirements

• All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements, is required.
• Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required.

Additional Graduate Program Admission Requirements

• An ABET-accredited baccalaureate degree in engineering is required for admission to the M.S. degree programs in civil engineering, environmental & water resources engineering, and architectural engineering.
• A baccalaureate degree in a closely related field is required for admission to the M.S. program in environmental & water resources science.
• Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for admission to a master’s program.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Admission: December 2 (priority deadline), August 1 (final deadline)
• Spring Admission: October 1 (priority deadline), December 16 (final deadline)
• Summer Admission: December 2 (priority deadline), May 19 (final deadline)

Minimum English Proficiency Requirements

International students and students who indicated English as a second language are required to show proof of English proficiency for admission purposes.

Application Fees

• Domestic: $65
• International: $85

Program Options

Candidates for the Master of Science degrees have three options:

1. Option A: Requires 30 credit hours, including a thesis of 6 to 10 hours and a final oral examination, including defense of the thesis.
2. Option B: Requires 30 hours, including a 3- or 4-hour special problem investigation in the specialization and a final oral examination. Option B does not require a thesis.
3. Option C: Requires 30 hours of coursework. It does not require a thesis, special problem investigation, or final oral examination.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Acquire and integrate new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
• Solve engineering problems by applying fundamental principles of mathematics, science, and engineering and relevant technologies.
• Effectively communicate advanced environmental & water resources engineering concepts.