Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Lacey, USA
MSc
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 24,132 / per semester
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
The Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) program at Saint Martin's is designed to provide engineering and science graduates specialized technical knowledge in their field of interest within civil engineering, with emphasis areas in structural and foundations, transportation and project management, and environmental engineering.
Additional benefits include:
- Faculty have real-world experience in the subjects they teach.
- Classes are held in Cebula Hall (built in 2013), the most environmentally friendly and energy efficient building with LEED Platinum Certification in the Western Hemisphere, with labs in the Panowicz Foundry for Innovation (built in 2016).
- Classes are offered in the late afternoon or evening to meet the needs of working professionals. Classes are generally scheduled to allow a student to complete the program in a two to three-year period by taking two classes per semester.
- The MSCE program offers many program arrangements, including the following areas of emphasis: structural and foundations, transportation and project management, and environmental engineering.
- Students can choose between a project and a thesis route.
- The program is offered on our main campus in Lacey.
Federal Aid
Federal financial aid is available for graduate students who will be enrolled at least half-time and are citizens, or eligible non-citizens, of the USA. Most federal aid for graduate students is in the form of direct loans.
Graduate Assistantships
Saint Martin’s University offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to graduate students. Contact the Office of the Provost for more information.
Degree Requirements
Candidates for the MSCE degree must satisfactorily complete 30 credit hours of approved coursework, including three credit hours of Advanced Design Project (MSCE 502) or six credit hours of thesis (MSCE 503). A maximum of four hours of independent study (MSCE 501) is allowed. All courses must be from the MSCE courses list or must be pre-approved in writing by the program director. Students must complete all work within seven years from the start of the program.
Many program arrangements meeting the requirements for the Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree are possible. Students are free to take any of the MSCE courses for which they meet the prerequisites. The following are three examples of non-thesis programs with a disciplinary focus. More details can be found in the graduate academic catalog.
Structures and Foundations Emphasis
- Advanced Design Projects/Advanced Special Projects
- In-Situ Soil Testing
- Seismic Evaluation
- Prestressed Concrete Design
- Steel Design
- Advanced Steel Design
- Timber Design
- Masonry Design
- Matrix Structural Analysis
- Advanced Foundation Design
- Structural Systems Design
- Dynamics of Structures
- Earthquake Engineering
- Bridge Engineering and Design
- Project Management
- Engineering Project Costing
- Construction Management
Transportation and Project Management Emphasis
- Independent Study
- Advanced Design Projects/Advanced Special Projects
- In-Situ Soil Testing
- Advanced Transportation Engineering
- Pavement Design
- Traffic Capacity Analysis
- Solid Waste Engineering
- Transportation Planning Applications
- Project Management
- Engineering Project Costing
- Environmental Management
- Construction Management
Environmental Engineering Emphasis
- Independent Study
- Advanced Design Projects/Advanced Special Projects
- Advanced Transportation Engineering
- Pavement Design
- Solid Waste Management
- Environmental Laboratory Processes
- Water Resources Engineering
- Wastewater Systems Engineering
- Industrial Waste Engineering
- Project Management
- Engineering Project Costing/ Environmental Management
- Construction Management
- Students will develop an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- Students will develop an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- Students will develop an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- Students will develop an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- Students will develop an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Students will develop an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Students will develop an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
- Students will develop an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.