2023-2024

Civil Engineering Professional, Master of Engineering

Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

This graduate program provides the advanced training and skill set needed by practicing civil engineers to solve the myriad of complex infrastructure challenges facing society, in a convenient online setting. The curriculum offers technical depth studies within the context of real-world civil engineering problems as well as a broad background in project management methodologies and practices. Coursework will prepare the successful graduate to assume professional-level responsibilities in both the public and private sectors. The program can accommodate either full-time or part-time students.
 

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 30
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Additional Fees/Program Fees Required
Some online/blended coursework Required
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study

Purpose Statement

The Professional Masters of Civil Engineering program provides the additional technical depth and breadth in civil engineering topics, as well as training in project management methods, that are necessary for professional practice as a licensed civil engineer. The program will expose students to advanced concepts across the range of traditional civil engineering sub-disciplines including water resources, transportation, geotechnical, and structural engineering with heavy emphasis on application to real-world engineering practice. 

The curriculum will also provide the graduate with training in critical topics areas needed for competency in management of large and complex civil engineering projects including cost estimating, project scheduling and operations, public policy and regulatory issues, life-cycle cost analysis, and infrastructure economics and resilience. Successful attainment of the above project management skills will allow the graduate to assume leadership roles within either the public or private civil engineering sector. 

The program is intended for students with a strong background in science and engineering and is best-suited for those with an undergraduate degree in civil, environmental, or mechanical engineering. Due to the focus on professional civil engineering practice, the program is aimed at those working in industry where a professional civil engineering license is a required minimum qualification for employment. Where the graduate student is already a licensed engineer, up to six credits for experience can be given within the project elective category.

The program is offered in a completely online format in order to enhance accessibility to professionals that may have already begun their careers and that do not have access to similar programs in their area of residence or that desire to pursue studies while working full-time.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will demonstrate the following competencies.

  • Identify, formulate, analyze and solve advanced civil engineering problems in the transportation, water resources, environmental and structural discipline areas, including the inter-relationships between various civil engineering systems, the impact of changing environmental conditions on resilience, the relationship between engineering management and public policy, and the interdisciplinary nature of infrastructure itself.
  • Identify advanced civil engineering project management challenges, and develop protocols and organizational methods to solve them, including life cycle analysis, state of the practice technologies, and advanced scheduling, budgeting, and leadership techniques.
  • Identify sources and distill relevant information from the literature on advanced civil engineering topics, including public policy and regulatory issues, infrastructure management challenges unique to a changing environment, and innovative materials and structural techniques.
  • Document and explain advanced civil engineering solutions to peers, academics, politicians, and the general public.

Graduate Admission Information

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • BS degree in Civil or Engineering or completion of prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses will depend on your academic history. Please reach out to CECMEEgraduate@nau.edu for an assessment.
    • TOEFL for international students whose degree is not from an English speaking institution with a passing score of 80
    • Undergraduate GPA of 2.5
    • Resume and Statement of Purpose 
    • Undergraduate GPA of 2.5; if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, please address the following in your Statement of Purpose:
      • The circumstances led to GPA below a 3.0.
      • What employment have you held since you received your degree?  If no employment history, what have you been doing?
      • List your career goals and/or what you plan to use this degree towards.
Master's Requirements

  • This Master’s degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:

    • Civil Engineering Coursework: 15 units
    • Project Management and Policy Coursework: 9 units


    Take the following 15 units:

    Civil Engineering Coursework (15 units)


    Project Management and Policy (9 units):    
    Civil Engineering Electives or Master’s Project (6 units):OR
    • Master’s Project:
      • CENE 690 (0-6 units)
        • The CENE Graduate Coordinator or their designee will serve as faculty advisor for these students.  If a project is selected, the faculty member serving as the project leader will serve as the student’s advisor.
        • Students with Professional Engineer (PE) status may be allowed up to 6 units of credit for experience toward their project requirements.
Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

  • Program Fee Information

  • Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $450 per semester has been approved for this program.