Civil engineering
Master of Science
From concept to concrete
The safety of a bridge, highway, building or other structure depends on the integrity of the earth on which it stands. Geological engineers have the expertise to help ensure that structures are built on, or in, solid ground.
This program combines courses in geological engineering, geology, civil engineering, hydrogeology and site characterization. You will gain skills in geology and engineering to design and construct infrastructure projects and evaluate geologic hazards.
Overview
Related Topics
Bridge the gap between learning and building
Degree fit
This program will be a good fit if you:
- Hold an undergraduate degree in geology, civil engineering or a related field
- Have a strong foundation in mathematics and physics
- Are interested in geology and engineering
- Enjoy working in the outdoors
- Like to solve complex problems
Career outcomes
Current job openings
1,648 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and starting salaries
- Postsecondary Engineering Teachers
$48,689 - Civil Engineers • Transportation Engineers • Water/Wastewater Engineers
$71,940 - Architectural and Engineering Managers
$122,156 - Energy Engineers • Wind Energy Engineers • Solar Energy Systems Engineers
$67,828 - Environmental Engineers
$77,869
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
Financial aid
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but U of I’s Financial Aid Office is here to help. Our experienced financial aid counselors can assist you in exploring financial aid options, making informed financial decisions and addressing common concerns.
To maximize aid and scholarship possibilities, be sure to complete your FAFSA. For information on FAFSA deadlines and answers to common questions, visit the University of Idaho FAFSA website.
Plan ahead — estimate your cost of attendance with U of I’s Cost Calculator.
Graduate funding opportunities
- Financial assistance in the form of teaching or research assistantships is available on a competitive basis. All students who are admitted to the Master of Science in civil engineering program are considered for an assistantship, but not all admitted students will receive such support. An offer of financial support is separate from the admissions decision.
- National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology — Conduct research with faculty in one of the region’s leading transportation institutes, reducing the environmental impacts of transportation-related operations and improving the durability and sustainability of the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
- Idaho National Laboratory Graduate Fellowship Program — Recipients of this competitive fellowship receive full tuition and fees by U of I during their first three years of graduate school. INL covers tuition, fees, and a $60,000 annual salary during the final two years of their doctoral research, to be conducted at INL.
- National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Graduate Fellowship Program — These year-long salaried assignments offer hands-on experience in nuclear security and nonproliferation. Administered by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and open to all engineering disciplines.
- NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) — $25,000 fellowship programs that contribute to NASA’s mission of exploration and discovery. Open to full-time graduate and doctoral students.
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) — For outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees.
- National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship — Three-year fellowship with full coverage of tuition and all mandatory fees, including a monthly stipend and up to $1,000 a year in medical insurance.
- DAAD Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE Professional) Programs — RISE Professional offers summer research internships in Germany to master's and doctoral students at companies and non-university research institutions with strong relations to industry.
- Faculty provide funding through a variety of external agencies and industry partners. Contact our faculty to learn more about these funding opportunities.
For more funding options, visit the College of Graduate Studies’ funding website.
Clubs and involvement opportunities
Clubs
Our college offers 20+ clubs and organizations tied to international and national engineering organizations, including national competition teams.
Learn about clubs related to your major:
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA)
- Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC)
- Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Application information
Applicants for the M.S. in civil engineering must meet the following admission requirements:
- Education level: Bachelor's
- GPA: 3.0
- GRE: No
- TOEFL/IELTS: 79/6.5
- Number of references: 3
- Other requirements: Applicants not holding a B.S. degree in civil engineering are required to show evidence of completing the following undergraduate coursework:
- mathematics through differential equations
- one semester of chemistry
- one semester of calculus-based physics
- one semester of engineering statics
- Once admitted, additional preparatory coursework will be determined by the student’s advisory committee and/or as prerequisites to courses listed in the student's study plan.
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.