Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Advance your career with Purdue University’s top ranked online Master of Science in Civil Engineering. Designed for professionals, this flexible program covers key areas such as structural engineering, transportation systems, and construction management. Benefit from Purdue’s engineering excellence and industry-relevant curriculum to tackle complex infrastructure challenges. Take the next step toward leadership in civil engineering with a program tailored to your goals.
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Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Advance your career with Purdue University’s top-ranked online Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE). Designed for professionals, this flexible program covers key areas such as structural engineering, transportation systems and construction management. Benefit from Purdue’s engineering excellence and industry-relevant curriculum to tackle complex infrastructure challenges. Take the next step toward leadership in civil engineering with a program tailored to your goals.
Master of Science in Civil Engineering Overview
Designed for civil engineering professionals seeking to advance their technical expertise and leadership skills, Purdue’s online Master of Science in Civil Engineering, ranked No. 1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2026, equips engineers to tackle complex infrastructure challenges. Through in-depth coursework and applied learning, students gain expertise in structural design, transportation systems, construction management and emerging trends in civil engineering while studying in a flexible online format.
Students will develop the analytical and problem-solving skills needed to assess, design and manage large-scale engineering projects while integrating sustainability and innovation. With Purdue’s renowned faculty and rigorous curriculum, the MSCE program provides a comprehensive education that blends technical mastery, ethical decision-making and industry leadership.
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Plan Your Path
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.
More information on courses and faculty can be found at the program website.
Students must complete 30 credit hours to earn their MSCE. Below includes the list of required courses.
- 15 credit hours of CE graduate level courses (500-level and above)
- 6 credit hours of applied math and/or statistics courses from a pre-approved list:
- 9 credit hours of technical electives
Tracks Available
Application Requirements:
- Transcripts from all universities attended
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 2 statements of purpose
- A professional resume
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (international students only)
- Full admissions requirements
- Application Fee
Prerequisite courses required:
Math Background: Three semesters of calculus, differential equations and linear algebra
Engineering Background: Preferred undergraduate background in engineering, physical sciences or a related field. Other course prerequisites may apply depending on the classes you choose to enroll in.
Source: LightcastTM (2025). Unique job postings for July 2024-25. Projected growth for years 2019-2029.
Top Job Titles
Civil engineering prepares professionals for a wide range of technical and leadership roles focused on designing, building, and maintaining critical infrastructure. These include Structural Engineers, Project Engineers, and Engineering Managers, each contributing to planning, coordination, and project execution. Additionally, Engineers and Civil Engineers play essential roles in ensuring structural integrity, safety, and long-term sustainability across public and private projects.
Top Industries
Several major industries offer strong career opportunities for professionals in civil engineering. These include Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System Instrument Manufacturing and Aircraft Manufacturing, both of which rely on civil engineering expertise to support infrastructure development, facility design, and large-scale system integration.
Retired pilot finds inspiration for second career in Purdue’s online Master of Science in Civil Engineering program
Retired pilot Allen Baker’s introduction to civil engineering came several decades before he graduated from Purdue University’s online Master of Science in Civil Engineering program. He was introduced to the field at the United States Air Force Academy, where he majored in civil engineering as an undergraduate student. Though he planned on becoming a pilot after graduation, he wanted to major in something that interested him, and civil engineering was both fascinating and challenging. His classes opened his eyes and, in his words, turned on a switch that he could never turn off.
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