Civil engineering

The M.Engr. in civil engineering is a 30-credit non-thesis program for students preparing for industry roles. The program focuses on engineering practice, design and professional application through advanced coursework and project-based experiences.

A Master of Science in civil engineering is available, emphasizing research, technical specialization and developing new knowledge through advanced coursework and a thesis requirement. The program is well suited for students pursuing research careers, technical leadership or doctoral study.

View the online civil engineering graduate handbook

Explore program courses in the University Catalog

Learning outcomes

The Master of Engineering in civil engineering strengthens your ability to solve complex engineering challenges through advanced coursework and applied learning. You’ll deepen your technical expertise, develop strong analytical and technical communication skills and demonstrate your knowledge through a technical report and comprehensive examination. Working closely with faculty mentors, you’ll gain the specialized knowledge and professional preparation needed to advance your career in consulting, infrastructure design, construction, transportation, environmental and water resources engineering, government and other high-demand engineering fields.

Program format

The Master of Engineering in civil engineering offers a flexible, coursework-based format designed for students seeking advanced technical knowledge and professional growth. You’ll complete graduate-level coursework focused on specialized areas of civil engineering while developing the ability to analyze complex engineering challenges and create practical solutions. The program emphasizes applied learning, technical communication and professional preparation through a comprehensive examination and technical report. 

Faculty expertise

Engage deeply with faculty through coursework and professional mentorship. Faculty areas of expertise include:

• Water resources, hydraulics and ecohydraulics
• Environmental engineering and water quality
• Structural engineering and resilient infrastructure
• Transportation engineering and mobility systems
• Geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics
• Construction, pavements and materials engineering
• Sustainable infrastructure and climate resilience
• Watershed science and ecosystem restoration
• Natural hazard mitigation and infrastructure resilience
• Applied engineering research with industry and community partners

Find a faculty advisor

Professional licensing

Completion of the program will count towards eligibility for the Professional Engineer's License (PE) to practice Engineering, which requires a four-year degree from an ABET-accredited school, four years of experience under a PE, and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Principles of Practice in Engineering (PE) Exams.

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)

University of Idaho is committed to making graduate education accessible and helping students navigate the cost of earning an advanced degree. In addition to financial aid and scholarship opportunities, many graduate students receive funding through assistantships, research opportunities and other forms of academic support.

Here are a few key resources to help you understand graduate tuition, funding opportunities and available financial support:

• Submit your FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important first step in accessing federal financial aid and certain institutional funding opportunities.
• Estimate your cost of attendance: Visit U of I’s cost of attendance page to explore estimated tuition, fees and living expenses associated with your graduate program.
• View a breakdown of tuition and fees: Visit the Student Accounts page to explore current tuition rates, fees and detailed cost information based on your program, residency status and enrollment level.
• Explore scholarships and graduate funding opportunities: Graduate students may qualify for scholarships, fellowships and other funding opportunities based on academic achievement, area of study and professional experience.
• Learn about assistantships: Many graduate programs offer Research Assistantships (RAs), Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Graduate Assistantships (GAs), which may provide tuition support, stipends and valuable professional experience. Assistantship availability and funding levels vary by program and department.
• Connect with your program: Funding for Master of Engineering (M.Engr.) students is generally not available in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships. This degree is designed as a professionally oriented, coursework-based program rather than a research-funded graduate track. If you are interested in conducting research and developing advanced research and analytical skills, you may wish to consider the Master of Science (M.S.) option for this program, which may offer opportunities for funding through assistantships or fellowships depending on availability and departmental support.

If you have questions about financial aid, scholarships or graduate funding, U of I’s experienced financial aid counselors and graduate program staff can help you explore options and make informed financial decisions throughout the admissions process.

View financial aid resources

Recognized STEM Program

This program is recognized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and may be eligible for the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension for international students.

Learn more about STEM approved CIP/degree codes

Have questions about the program, research opportunities or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized guidance about curriculum, faculty mentorship, application requirements and graduate funding opportunities.

Civil Engineering contact:
cee@uidaho.edu
208-885-6782

For questions related to admissions, application materials, transcripts or enrollment steps, contact Graduate Admissions:

Graduate Admissions contact:
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001

Interested in research areas or finding a faculty mentor? Explore faculty expertise, research interests and advising opportunities on the department’s faculty page.

Connect with program faculty

Applicants for the M.Engr. in civil engineering must meet the following admission requirements:

Program availability

• Concentration: Non-thesis
• Semester intake: Fall, Spring or Summer
  • Eligible for 4+1 admission for U of I undergraduates
  • Eligible for Expedited admission for U of I undergraduates
  • Eligible for out-of-state tuition waiver through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) for qualifying applicants
  • Open to international applicants
• Deadlines: General application deadlines
• Start dates:
  • View the academic calendar to see start and end dates

University requirements

• Education level: Bachelor's degree in a similar or related field from an accredited or recognized institution (earned or expected before the start of the graduate program)
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary education will be required. Unofficial transcripts may be used for initial admission review. Official transcripts sent directly to Graduate Admissions by the issuing institution(s) will be required if admitted. View more information on the Graduate Admissions page.
• GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
• GRE: Not required
• Letters of recommendation: Three
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• 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
  • If 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.
• Valid picture ID (required to verify students’ identity and will be kept confidential)
• English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).
• Accepted tests: TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 115, PTE-A: 58. Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.
• Application Fee: $50

Application and admission process:

Applications are submitted online and are specific to the program and term selected. Applicants seeking admission to multiple programs must submit a separate application for each program.

Before submitting an application, applicants must provide personal and academic information from all post-secondary institutions attended, recommender information, required program-specific materials, and their intended program and start term.

Applications are reviewed for admission by the academic program. Only complete applications, including required letters of recommendation and payment of the application fee, will be forwarded for evaluation and admission decision. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their applications early to allow sufficient time for a thorough review.

International students seeking F-1 or J-1 visas must provide financial documentation demonstrating their ability to cover the cost of attendance. This documentation is required only after admission.

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.