Program Description
The Civil Engineering MS degree program reflects the very broad nature of the field, which encompasses the design, construction, and enhancement of the infrastructure of society. The program offers tracks in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Transportation Systems Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering. Course work includes structural analysis and design, geotechnical engineering and foundations, transportation planning and operations, traffic engineering, construction engineering, and water resources engineering.
Faculty research interests include geotechnical studies of subsurface conditions, soil testing “superpave” mix design, intelligent transportation systems, traffic safety, structural dynamics, nonlinear structural analysis and software development, reinforced concrete, construction engineering, hydraulic modeling, coastal ocean modeling, stormwater management, and watershed management. Students completing the program find positions in consulting firms, construction, and construction-related industries, in city, county, state, and federal government agencies, and academic institutions.
This program has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please visit https://apq.ucf.edu/files/Licensure-Disclosure-CECS-Civil-Engineering-MS-June2020.pdf.
Curriculum
The MS degree offers both thesis and nonthesis options with each requiring 30 credit hours of acceptable graduate work. The thesis option requires a 6 credit hour thesis project and the nonthesis option requires an additional 6 credit hours of electives and an end-of-program portfolio submission.
Individual, independent research studies may be required in one or more courses. The research study and report will focus on reviewing and analyzing contemporary research in a student’s particular specialization within the profession in order to help students acquire knowledge and skills pertaining to research-based best practices in that specialization area. In addition, students may engage in six credit hours of independent study during their studies.
Total Credit Hours Required: 30 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree
Equipment Fee
Students in the Civil Engineering MS program pay a $16 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $8 per semester.
Independent Learning
A research or design project serves as the independent learning experience for thesis students. Nonthesis students are required to take at least one course with a research project and submit an end-of-program portfolio.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
Applicants must choose a track in this program. Track(s) may have different requirements.
Financials
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
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