The Best Online Master’s in Civil Engineering

Civil engineering dates back to ancient cultures. Civil engineers design and build the infrastructure projects that societies need to function. They construct roads, design buildings, and maintain dams and water supply systems.

Within civil engineering, professionals can build careers planning public works projects, researching and designing projects, and overseeing the construction and maintenance of projects. After learning the needs of a community through research, civil engineers create the infrastructure to meet those needs.

Civil engineers need several key attributes to succeed in their profession, including strong problem-solving and decision-making skills. Civil engineers must think creatively about how to design and construct projects. Many roles also require leadership skills, which civil engineers can strengthen through a master’s program.

The field of civil engineering encompasses several subfields, including structural engineering, which is the creation of buildings and bridges. Specialists in transportation engineering design roads, transit systems, and airports. Civil engineers who specialize in public works design the water supply systems and sewage systems that keep cities running.

A master’s in civil engineering helps professionals specialize their skills and advance their careers.

A master’s in civil engineering provides graduate-level training in civil engineering, engineering management, and engineering research methods. Civil engineering programs build on the foundational training of an undergraduate engineering degree to provide advanced knowledge and skills in the field. Graduate students in civil engineering take courses in advanced structural engineering, environmental engineering, and engineering leadership.

Civil engineering graduate students often focus their coursework by selecting a concentration. Most civil engineering master’s programs require an undergraduate degree in engineering or a related field for admission. Earning an online civil engineering degree typically takes two years for full-time students. Some programs offer accelerated or part-time enrollment, which can affect program length.

After completing a master’s in civil engineering online, engineers can advance their careers by pursuing management-level roles as engineering managers or public works directors.

Graduates can also enter doctoral programs. Some of the top civil engineering schools offer an academic track specifically for master’s students planning to earn a Ph.D. in engineering. During the master’s degree, students take additional research courses and participate in research projects. A doctorate in engineering prepares learners for academic and research positions.

Many civil engineering professionals earn a master’s degree to broaden their career prospects. Employers often prefer candidates with a master’s degree for positions that require supervisory responsibilities, such as engineering manager or city engineer. A master’s degree also helps civil engineers stand out on the job market and increase their earning potential.

During a civil engineering master’s degree, graduate students can gain advanced training in fields like environmental engineering, construction engineering, and structural engineering. Many programs also offer graduate-level coursework in geotechnical engineering, hydrology, transportation engineering, and sustainable infrastructure engineering.

After completing an online civil engineering degree, master’s students can pursue civil engineering jobs with additional responsibilities, such as civil engineering manager, public works director, or city manager. Earning a master’s degree in civil engineering also prepares graduates for doctoral programs in engineering. A doctorate in engineering leads to opportunities in academia and research.

During a master’s degree in civil engineering, learners study topics like environmental engineering, hydrology and water resources engineering, and structural engineering.

Many programs let civil engineering students customize the curriculum by choosing graduate electives or a concentration. By taking specialized electives or choosing a concentration, graduate students position themselves for specific civil engineering jobs. With a concentration in engineering management, for example, graduate students can take specialized classes in management and leadership skills for engineering professionals. Similarly, a public works concentration offers focused coursework in infrastructure and public works projects.

A master’s in civil engineering degree prepares graduates for advanced roles in the engineering field, including as engineering managers. Many civil engineering jobs require a master’s degree for supervisory responsibilities. Public works directors and city engineers often hold a graduate degree in civil engineering. Civil engineers with a master’s degree also stand out on the job market and earn higher salaries than civil engineers with only a bachelor’s degree.

Some careers in the field may require specialized coursework or professional certifications.

Civil engineers design, construct, and supervise infrastructure projects and other civil engineering projects. They analyze survey reports, plans, and data to design projects such as roads, buildings, and bridges. While overseeing civil engineering projects, they must consider government regulations, environmental hazards, and construction costs.

While a bachelor’s degree is the entry-level educational requirement for civil engineering jobs, usually only professionals with a master’s degree and a license qualify for senior positions like construction supervisor, public works director, city engineer, or city manager.

Median Annual Salary: $86,640

Projected Growth Rate: 6%

Engineering managers plan and direct operations in an engineering company or department. They oversee the design of new projects, evaluate the need for equipment and staff, and manage project budgets. In addition to supervising engineers, engineering managers also monitor the accuracy of the work and make sure engineers use sound methods. They set schedules, hire employees, and assign work to staff members.

Civil engineering managers oversee public works projects, including infrastructure. They may also manage engineering projects for private organizations. While a bachelor’s degree meets the entry-level educational requirement, many engineering managers hold a master’s degree.

Median Annual Salary: $140,760

Projected Growth Rate: 3%

Architectural managers oversee daily operations and long-term planning in architectural companies. They create plans for new designs, determine staff and equipment needs for projects, and manage budgets. Architectural managers also solve problems that arise during construction and coordinate with other managers to complete complex projects.

Architectural managers need a background in architecture or engineering. While most positions require at least a bachelor’s degree and some work experience, some employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree in architecture or civil engineering.

Median Annual Salary: $140,760<

Projected Growth Rate: 3%