Civil engineers address the new and emerging challenges facing societies and nations. As infrastructures age and the necessity for green technologies increases, the demand for civil engineers and their problem-solving skills is growing.
Our experience with Lawrence Tech grads has been excellent. They are extremely well prepared, energetic, and professional – really top notch.
George Hubbell, vice president, Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc.
Continuing your studies at the graduate level can position you to take advantage of these opportunities. Lawrence Technological University's Master of Science in Civil Engineering is designed to give you a thorough understanding of the design process while preparing you to approach complex problem solving from a multidisciplinary perspective. LTU offers you a top-notch education focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Located at the center of the nation's #1 region for engineering, architecture, and technology, LTU is uniquely positioned to provide you the latest advanced knowledge in the field. Your expert professors are internationally renowned researchers with strong industry experience. Many are involved in developing design codes and experimental testing standards, as well as publishing in professional journals and attracting research grants from such entities as the National Science Foundation and state transportation departments.
You can participate in cutting-edge applied research that offers you exceptional hands-on experience in LTU's state-of-the-art facilities, which include:
Center for Innovative Materials Research: a national resource for the development of innovative materials for defense and infrastructure applications. Its environmental and fire chambers and load-testing frames make it one of the most unique and advanced research facilities in the world.
Structural Testing Center and the Environmental; Geotechnical and Materials; Hydraulics Engineering; and Flammability, Smoke and Toxicity Laboratories
You'll also have access to LTU's Great Lakes Stormwater Management Institute, a regional resource that promotes positive environmental change through research, education, and the application of innovative water management techniques.

Your program requires 30 - 33 credit hours, depending on the option you choose:
Thesis Option | |
Technical Electives | 24 credits |
Thesis | 4 credits |
Total Credit Hours | 30 credits |
Project Option | |
Technical Electives | 27 credits |
Project | 3 credits |
Total Credit Hours | 30 credits |
Coursework Option | |
Technical Electives | 33 credits |
Total Credit Hours | 33 credits |
ADDITIONAL MSCE CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS
Selection of Courses with Formal Presentations
Graduates of the MSCE program must demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills. MSCE students are required to take a minimum of three courses that involve the giving of formal presentations. A list of applicable courses can be provided by the civil engineering graduate programs director. This list changes periodically; the programs director will accommodate students when changes are made unexpectedly and students are unable to quarter their plan to complete this requirement.
Selection of Concentration
Students within the MSCE program are required to select a concentration and complete a minimum of four graduate level courses (12 credits) in one specific subdiscipline (water resources, structural, geotechnical, environmental, and transportation) as listed in the MSCE courses. Exceptions will be made when deemed necessary, often dependent on course availability and graduation timeline.
Selection of Analytical Credits
MSCE students must complete a breadth of courses that requires the use of analytical skills to solve complex problems. They must take a minimum of 14 analytical credits (ACs). The number of ACs offered by each course is different. A list of courses and the number of ACs each course offers can be obtained from the graduate programs director. The number of ACs offered by specific courses may change over time. An unexpected reduction in a course’s ACs will be accommodated when a student is near graduation. The number of ACs contained in special topics courses and directed studies will be determined from the courses’ content.
MSCE COURSES | |
Environmental Engineering: | |
ECE 5323 | Environmental Cleanup |
ECE 5333 | Air Pollution Control |
ECE 5343 | Advanced Environmental Engineering |
ECE 5353 | Environmental Management |
ECE 5363 | Surface Water Quality Management |
ECE 5393 | Special Topics in Environmental Engineering |
ECE 6313 | Industrial Water and Wastewater Treatment |
Geotechnical Engineering: | |
ECE 5413 | Shallow and Deep Foundation Design |
ECE 5423 | Geoenvironmental Engineering |
ECE 5433 | Ground Improvement Methods |
ECE 5443 | Designing with Geosynthetics |
ECE 5473 | Earth Retaining Structures |
ECE 5493 | Special Topics in Geotechnical Engineering |
ECE 6413 | Engineering Properties of Soils |
ECE 6423 | Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering |
Structural Engineering: | |
ECE 5703 | Design of Timber Structures |
ECE 5713 | Analysis and Design of Prestressed Concrete |
ECE 5723 | Advanced Analysis and Design of Structures |
ECE 5733 | Structural Masonry Design |
ECE 5753 | Advanced Concrete Design |
ECE 5763 | Advanced Composite Materials and Their Uses in Structures |
ECE 5773 | Advanced Steel Design |
ECE 5783 | Bridge Design I |
ECE 5793 | Special Topics in Structural Engineering |
ECE 6723 | Structural Design and Analysis for Fire Safety |
ECE 6733 | Finite Element Analysis |
ECE 6743 | Structural Dynamics |
Transportation Engineering: | |
ECE 5813 | Pavement Analysis and Performance |
ECE 5823 | Pavement Management Systems |
ECE 5833 | Traffic Engineering |
ECE 5843 | Highway Safety Engineering |
ECE 5893 | Special Topics in Transportation Engineering |
Water Resources Engineering: | |
ECE 5523 | River Engineering |
ECE 5533 | Coastal Engineering |
ECE 5543 | Design of Stormwater Management Systems |
ECE 5553 | Ports and Harbors Engineering |
ECE 5593 | Special Topics in Hydraulic Engineering |
ECE 6513 | Groundwater Modeling |
General Courses: | |
ECE 5103 | Applied Geographic Information Systems |
ECE 5113 | Sustainable Construction Practices |
ECE 5911-3 | Graduate Directed Study |
ECE 5923 | Special Topics in Civil Engineering |
ECE 6053 | Graduate Project |
ECE 6073 | Thesis I |
ECE 6083 | Thesis II |
ECE 6113 | Concrete Engineering |
Admission to the Master of Science in Civil Engineering program requires the demonstration of high potential for success based on the following:
1. Submission of the Application for Graduate Admission;
2. A bachelor of science in civil engineering (or equivalent) from an ABET-accredited under-graduate program. Non-engineering graduates may be admitted to the program but may be required to take additional courses as specified by the program director;
3. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0;
4. Three letters of recommendation, preferably from employers and professors;
5. Official transcripts of all college work;6. A professional resume.
If you do not meet all the conditions for regular admission you may be considered for provisional admission upon review by the Engineering Graduate Admission Committee.
Admission to the MS in Civil Engineering program requires:
- A BS is Civil Engineering (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Official transcripts of all completed college work
- Professional resume
- Three letters of recommendation, preferably from employers and professors
- Application for Graduate Admission
For more information, contact Lawrence Tech’s Office of Admissions at 800.225.5588 or admissions@ltu.edu.
For specific questions regarding the Master of Science in Civil Engineering, contact Lawrence Tech’s College of Engineering at 248.204.2500 or engrdean@ltu.edu.
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