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.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the projected job growth for civil engineers in the next 10 years is 20 percent. 

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.

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.



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. 

civil engineering programLTU's MS in Civil Engineering gives you three program choices: a 30-credit thesis option, a 30-credit project option, and a 33-credit coursework-only option. you must also specialize in one of five concentrations by taking 12 credits in structural, geotechnical, water resources, environmental, or transportation engineering. Most courses are available in the evenings, and you can complete your degree in as few as three semesters. 


Your program requires 30 - 33 credit hours, depending on the option you choose:

Thesis Option  
Technical Electives 24 credits
Thesis    6 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 related) from an ABET-accredited under-graduate program.

3.  A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0;

4.  One letter of recommendation, preferably from employer or professor;

5.  Official transcripts of all college work;

6.  A professional resume.
    
Although not required, additional documents recommended include; additional recommendation letters and a statement of purpose discussing what the applicant plans to do with the degree and why the university was chosen. The director of the civil engineering graduate programs (or program director) may allow provisional admission to applicants who do not meet all conditions for regular admission.

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.

 

You can also receive the same rigorous education we provide in our campus program fully online. Receive your Master of Science in Civil Engineering flexibly -- while working full-time -- from the same prestigious, industry expert faculty who teach on our ground campus.

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