Online MS in Civil Engineering FAQs

You can complete the program in just five semesters. To see the curriculum, view our courses page.

The online MS in Civil Engineering program is designed for working professionals with busy lives, so if something interrupts your normal course of study, you don't have to worry about losing the courses you've completed. You can take up to six years to complete the degree if needed. To see the curriculum, view our courses page.

The online program is designed for professionals who work full-time and is only offered part-time with two classes every 15 weeks. This allows you to achieve a realistic balance between work, school and personal responsibilities and gives you the opportunity to fully absorb the information in your coursework.

To see the curriculum, view our courses page.

The online program is designed for professionals who work full-time and is offered part-time with two classes every 15 weeks. This allows you to achieve a realistic balance between work, school, and personal responsibilities and gives you the opportunity to fully absorb the information in your coursework. To see the curriculum, view our courses page.

Tuition is $852 per credit hour for Ohio residents and $871 per credit hour for non-residents. You'll need to complete 32 credits for a total tuition of $27,264 for Ohio residents and $27,872 for non-residents. You can review all tuition costs.

Ohio University is committed to offering affordable, competitive tuition and has been recognized as a best-value university by U.S. News & World Report. We offer financial aid to all students who qualify – our FAFSA code is 003100.

Tuition for the online MS in Civil Engineering is $27,264 for Ohio residents and $27,872 for non-residents. You need to complete 32 credits at $852 per credit hour for Ohio residents and $871 per credit hour for non-residents. You can review all tuition costs.

Yes, we are accredited by ABET.

GRE and GMAT scores are not required for qualified applicants; please see below. Each applicant is assessed for admission individually by an Enrollment Advisor.

There are three ways to qualify for the online MSCE program. You only need to have one of the three options below:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited university and a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited university, with a 2.5 GPA or higher, GRE scoring in the upper 25th percentile on the quantitative portion or five years of experience in the civil engineering profession, or passage of FE in CE, or other graduate degrees, or a 3.0 GPA in 12 hours of other graduate coursework, excellent statement of purpose, resume, and recommendation letters that identify the applicant’s specific role in civil engineering projects.
• A 3.0 GPA in terminal degree from non-civil engineering major, minimum coursework completed, with 10 years of experience in CE profession, excellent statement of purpose, resume, and recommendation letters that identify applicant’s specific role in civil engineering projects.

You can learn more about our admissions requirements.

Candidates who need to take the GRE for consideration must score in the upper 25th percentile on the quantitative portion of the exam. 

You can learn more about our admissions requirements.

The first step is to start your application.

No. Prior work experience is not required, but may be considered for applicants with a low GPA as additional evidence of achievement. You can learn more about our admissions requirements.

Yes, the online MS in Civil Engineering program accepts up to six transfer credits, if they satisfy Graduate College and Engineering College requirements and are approved by the online Program Director. You can learn more about our admissions requirements.

Up to six credits may be transferred and applied towards the online MS in Civil Engineering degree, if they satisfy Graduate College and Engineering College requirements and are approved by the online Program Director. You can learn more about our admissions requirements.

The GPA requirements to qualify vary. There are three ways to qualify for the online MSCE program: 

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited university and a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited university, with a 2.5 GPA or higher, GRE scoring in the upper 25th percentile on the quantitative portion, or 5 years of experience in the civil engineering profession, or passage of FE in CE, or other graduate degrees, or a 3.0 GPA in 12 hours of other graduate coursework, excellent statement of purpose, resume, and
• recommendation letters that identify the applicant’s specific role in civil engineering projects.
• A 3.0 GPA in terminal degree from non-civil engineering major, minimum coursework completed, with 10 years of experience in CE profession, excellent statement of purpose, resume, and recommendation letters that identify applicant’s specific role in civil engineering projects.

You can learn more about our admissions requirements.

The requirements for the online MS in Civil Engineering program include:

• Official transcripts
• Resume
• Letter of Purpose
• Three letters of recommendation

And one of three following requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited university and a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited university, with a 2.5 GPA or higher, GRE scoring in the upper 25th percentile on the quantitative portion, or 5 years of experience in the civil engineering profession, or passage of FE in CE, or other graduate degrees, or a 3.0 GPA in 12 hours of other graduate coursework, excellent statement of purpose, resume, and
• recommendation letters that identify the applicant’s specific role in civil engineering projects.
• A 3.0 GPA in terminal degree from non-civil engineering major, minimum coursework completed, with 10 years of experience in CE profession, excellent statement of purpose, resume, and recommendation letters that identify applicant’s specific role in civil engineering projects.

You can learn more about our admission requirements.

The online MS in Civil Engineering program has three start dates per year in the Fall, Spring and Summer.

Please contact an enrollment advisor for more information about plans for future virtual open house events.

You'll complete 32 credits to earn the online MS in Civil Engineering degree. You can review courses now.

You'll complete 11 courses to earn the MS in Civil Engineering degree; three are common courses, eight are focused in your concentration. You can learn more about coursework for the online MS in Civil Engineering degree at the Russ College of Engineering and Technology.

The online MS in Civil Engineering program has four concentrations:

• Transportation Engineering: Learn the microscopic and macroscopic fundamentals of traffic flow and transportation design. Examine environmental assessment in transportation planning and highway safety improvement measures.
• Structural Engineering: Investigate the practical and technical aspects of designing and maintaining safe, reliable structures with a variety of materials — and discover how to best use these materials in bridge engineering and transportation design.
• Construction Engineering Management: Examine the intricacies of heavy construction and transportation systems from an economic and scientific perspective. Explore the essential topics related to lawful, safe, efficient, and cost-effective construction methods.
• Environmental Engineering: Learn advanced theories related to water and wastewater treatment plant design. Study water remediation technologies, the flow of floodwaters, and the physical processes controlling the transport of pollutants in surface water and soils.

You can learn more about coursework for OHIO's online MS in Civil Engineering degree at the Russ College of Engineering and Technology.

Yes, a concentration in one of the four focus areas is required for the online MS in Civil Engineering program.

Yes, the online MS in Civil Engineering program follows a cohort model. This allows you to build deeper relationships with peers and faculty, expanding your network, support system, and career opportunities.

The online MS in Civil Engineering program is 100% online. This allows you to study in the times and locations that are best for you throughout your entire program without a requirement of ever coming to campus.

No, there is no residency component required to earn your online MS in Civil Engineering degree.

There are no field hours required to complete the online MS in Civil Engineering degree.

Most of the faculty in the online MS in Civil Engineering are full-time tenured faculty who also teach in the on-campus program. They stay current on the needs and news of the industry and have been educating the next generation in innovative civil engineering techniques for many years.

Those who hold an MS in Civil Engineering degree often pursue career titles such as Structural Engineers, Transportation Engineers, Environmental Engineers, Construction Engineering Managers and more, with salaries that range from $88,050 to $98,890. Learn more about your career options by visiting our careers page.

Yes, earning this degree will help you pursue licensure in civil engineering. The degree allows the candidate to sit for the FE exam, the program will help the students prepare for the FE and/or PE exam, and the MSCE degree can replace 1 year of practice required to attain licensure.

Typically, students will need to dedicate 10 to 12 hours a week per class.

You’ll need basic word processing and Internet skills. A virtual software suite will be accessible for each student providing access to all specialized software needed to complete the program coursework. Experience in AutoCAD is necessary for the transportation concentration.

No. To take courses you must enroll in the full master’s program.