Graduate Programs

Degrees Offered:

Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering
Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering
Ph.D. Degree

Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering:

Program and Career Focus	The Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) is intended for students interested in advanced specialization in a specific area of civil engineering. It includes a thesis requirement, which exposes students to cutting-edge research (see NCSU Libraries’ repository of MSCE Theses). Thesis and oral exam required. The Master of Civil Engineering (MCE), which can be completed on campus or via a Distance Education track through Engineering Online, prepares students for professional careers in civil engineering. Thesis and oral exam NOT required. Non-Engineering Background Courses: A list of background required courses for those interested in pursuing a Civil Engineering Graduate degree and do not have an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering.
Distance Education	Available for the Master of Civil Engineering (MCE) non-thesis degree only. Learn more. Information for New MCE Graduate Students – Distance
Areas of Specialization	Students in the MSCE and MCE programs must choose one of the following areas of specialization: Computing and Systems Construction Engineering Environmental, Water Resources, and Coastal Engineering Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Mechanics and Materials Structural Engineering and Mechanics Transportation Materials and Systems
Schedule of Required Documents	Schedule of Required Documents for Master of Science (MSCE) Degree Schedule of Required Documents for Master of Civil Engineering (MCE) Degrees
Minimum GPA to graduate	3.0
Total hours to graduate	30 or 31 (up to 6 hours are thesis credit for MSCE students)
Required hours of 500-level courses or higher	24 Note: Supporting courses taken outside the civil engineering program may be at the 400-level or above, but civil engineering courses at the 400-level will not be counted toward the required number of hours.
Maximum hours transferred from NDS status at NCSU or from another institution	12

Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering:

Program and Career Focus	The Master of Science in Environmental Engineering (MSENE) is intended for students interested in advanced specialization in a specific area of environmental engineering. It includes a thesis requirement, which exposes students to cutting-edge research (see NCSU Libraries’ repository of MSENE Theses). Thesis and oral exam required. The Master of Environmental Engineering (MENE), which can be completed on campus or via a Distance Education track through Engineering Online, prepares students for professional careers in environmental engineering. Thesis and oral exam NOT required. Non-Engineering Background Courses: A list of background required courses for those interested in pursuing an Environmental Engineering Graduate degree and do not have an undergraduate degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
Distance Education	Available for the Master of Environmental Engineering (MENE) non-thesis degree only. Learn more. Information for new MENE Graduate Students – Distance
Areas of Specialization	Students in the MSENE and MENE programs may choose one of the following areas of specialization: Environmental, Water Resources, and Coastal Engineering Air Pollution Engineering Coastal Engineering Energy Systems Analysis Environmental Process Engineering Modeling and Systems Analysis Water Resources Engineering
Schedule of Required Documents	Schedule of Required Documents for Master of Science in Environmental Engineering (MSENE) Degree Schedule of Required Documents for Master of Environmental Engineering (MENE) Degree
Minimum GPA to graduate	3.0
Total hours to graduate	30 or 31 (up to 6 of the 30 hours are thesis credit for MSENE students)
Required hours of 500-level courses or higher	24 Note: Supporting courses taken outside the civil engineering program may be at the 400-level or above, but civil engineering courses at the 400-level will not be counted toward the required number of hours.
Maximum hours transferred from NDS status at NCSU or from another institution	12

Ph.D. Degree:

About the Doctoral Program	The Doctor of Philosophy degree is pursued by outstanding students with an intense interest in independent study and research. It consists of advanced coursework beyond the Master’s degree, a written and oral comprehensive preliminary examination, extended and in-depth research, a written dissertation, and a final oral defense of the research (see NCSU Libraries’ repository of CE dissertations).
Schedule of Required Documents	Summary of Requirements for a PhD Degree in Civil Engineering Preliminary Exam Schedule and Procedure
Areas of Specialization	Computing and Systems Construction Engineering Environmental, Water Resources, and Coastal Engineering Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Mechanics and Materials Structural Engineering and Mechanics Transportation Materials and Systems
Residency Requirement	1 year

What else adds value to our degrees?

We offer professional development services for graduate students. For more information, please see our Professional Development website.
Join a Graduate Student Association or student organization. Participate in the Civil Engineering Graduate Student Association (CEGSA) or a student organization where graduate students are actively involved.
Take advantage of our college’s Engineering Career Fair to explore job possibilities and find your future employer.
Office of International Services (OIS) programs are designed to foster cross-cultural exchange within the campus and Triangle communities. International and American students, scholars, family members, NC State faculty and staff, and community members participate and benefit from these programs.
Participate in Graduate Research Symposia to showcase your research to others, including professionals from other educational institutions, companies, and agencies in the area.