Experience the excellence and prestige of Purdue University's online Master's Degree in Civil Engineering (MSCE) with the same faculty, courses, and degree as our esteemed on-campus program while enjoying the flexibility of studying entirely online.

Civil Engineering encompasses a wide array of disciplines and Purdue’s faculty has considered the future needs of the ever-changing field. The online MSCE provides professional engineers the opportunity to learn from three interdisciplinary tracks: Infrastructure, Resiliency and Sustainability; Sustainable Water; or Smart Mobility. Research has shown that engineers with interdisciplinary educational backgrounds perform well in teams and enjoy a broad range of job opportunities.

Ranked as the #2 online civil graduate program in the United States according to U.S. News and World Report for five years running, (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025), Purdue's online master's degree in civil engineering is tailor-made to propel your career forward. Whether your interests lie in structural engineering or infrastructure engineering, emerging technologies in transportation, or hydrology and hydraulics, Purdue's curriculum is designed your professional and personal goals and ambitions.

Discover how the increasing demand for civil engineers in the wake of anticipated infrastructure improvements makes now the ideal time to take your giant leap.

Curriculum

30 credit hours are required to complete the online MSCE.

  • Must include at least 15 credit hours of CE graduate level courses (50000 level and above)
  • Must include 6 credit hours of applied math and/or statistics courses from approved list
  • Up to 9 credit hours of technical electives. These can be additional CE graduate-level courses or graduate-level courses from outside CE, for example: ME, ECE, etc., as approved by the student's advisor.

Additional curriculum information:

Students can select one of the below interdisciplinary civil engineering tracks or build a plan of study to incorporate multiple areas:

Within these tracks, learners will be exposed to concepts in environmental engineering, hydraulic/hydrologic engineering, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction engineering, transportation engineering, geomatics engineering, architectural engineering and materials engineering.

student working on coursework

Prerequisites

Math Background:
3 semesters of Calculus, Differential Equations & Linear Algebra

Engineering Background:
Preferred undergraduate background in Engineering, Physical Sciences or a related field. Other course prerequisites may apply.

Requirements

  • Transcripts from all universities attended
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • A statement of purpose
  • A professional resume
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores (international students only)
  • Full admissions requirements

    • Deadlines

    Spring
    December 1

    Summer
    April 1

    Fall
    July 15

    Tuition

  • $950 per credit hour
  • $28,500 program total

    • Domestic students and permanent residents may qualify for the following types of financial aid:

  • US federal financial aid
  • Military, veterans, and military-connected students
    • * The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.

    Student Testimonial

    Mingxi Lin, MSCE graduate

    online master's program graduate Mingxi Lin

    Why did you choose Purdue’s online Master of Science in Civil Engineering program?

    I wanted a program that focused on water management and had extra flexibility so I could continue working. One of my coworkers, a Purdue alumnus, recommended that I check out Purdue University’s online Master of Science in Civil Engineering. The alumnus said the program was highly ranked with a practical, career-centered focus. It also had a concentration in Sustainable Water. I knew immediately that the program would be applicable at my work. There were lots of course options, and I could study part-time.

    How has earning your MSCE helped you accomplish your career goals?

    Now that I’ve graduated, I can see clearly how getting a master’s has increased my confidence as an engineer, made me a more effective teacher and mentor, and helped me grow through adversity.
    It’s also prepared me for leadership roles. Since I have about seven years of work experience now in the field, I’m transitioning from being a project engineer to a manager, which comes with more responsibility. Part of being a good manager is being a good teacher. If you can help your team grow, you grow too.

    MORE STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

    FAQs