Back to Top
Main Navigation
Apply Now Request Info


Loading...
Civil and Environmental Engineering M.E. Hero

Civil and Environmental Engineering M.E.

CSU Ram Icon

Study with experts, build your knowledge, and stand out in your field

Deepen your engineering knowledge as you gain the foundation to take on new and complex challenges in the field.

Hear from Our Students

Matt Thomas

"Having the online program was very conducive for my physical limitations. I worked with my professors and interacted with them on a professional level and they treated me as a professional."

Application Dates
Fall semester
May 1*
Spring semester
November 1*
*Note: Application dates may vary depending on student status. Learn more.
Request Information










By providing your information, you consent to receive calls, emails, and/or text messages from CSU Online. Consent not required to purchase goods or services. For more info, call 1-970-491-5288. We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


As an online student at CSU, you get:

The same faculty
The same high academic standards
The same affordable in-state tuition anywhere in the world
The same connection to fellow classmates and instructors

With CSU Online, you are enrolled at Colorado State University, a top-tier, regionally accredited institution recognized by U.S. News and World Report.

A vibrant community that cares

CSU Online collaborates closely with the departments across the University as well as government, business, and nonprofit organizations to foster a vibrant community that cares about learners, their experience, and their success.

Top 7% Best Professors in USA, #1 in Colorado
Program Details
Courses
Credits
30
Tuition
$993 per credit
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships Tuition/fees are just part of the cost to attend CSU. Learn more about the full Cost of Attendance
Degree Awarded
Master of Engineering; transcript reflects the civil and environmental engineering specialization
Time Frame
Can be completed in 3 years
Admission Reqs.
  • B.S. in Engineering from a regionally accredited institution
Questions? Your dedicated support coach has the answers
Kristina Reda headshot
Kristina Reda
Prospective Student Support Coach
Kristina was professional, kind, and incredibly helpful!
Degree Overview

Earn your civil and environmental engineering degree online

Deepen your engineering knowledge as you gain the foundation to take on new and complex challenges in the field.

With an ever-growing population, today's civil and environmental engineers face the challenge of building and maintaining a sustainable infrastructure. One of our most critical resources is water, and the focus of this degree program prepares you to tackle the evolving water concerns facing future generations. Colorado State University is a leader in water-related issues and one of the few institutions providing an online master's in civil and environmental engineering with a focus on water resources engineering and management.

Learn from engineering faculty with a wealth of knowledge and experience in:

  • Hydrology
  • Water resources
  • Infrastructure and utility management
  • Environmental statistics

Develop the skills needed to solve 21st century water resource problems

Global population growth has increased demand for the development and maintenance of sustainable infrastructure to address water-related issues. Be prepared by studying topics such as:

  • Water control and measurement
  • Hydrology
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Infrastructure management

Learn about the most recent industry research, so you will be ready to tackle infrastructure-related issues and changing water concerns. You will gain the skills to leverage engineering concepts and computer technology to create a more sustainable infrastructure for generations to come.

High-quality, affordable education

In 2023, CSU was ranked one of the most affordable universities for an online master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering by OnlineU.com.

2023 OnlineU Ranking Badge
Top 1%
of universities worldwide, according to The Center for World University Rankings.
85%
of CSU grads secure a job related to their career plans within six months of graduation.
A+
More than nine out of ten Rams would select CSU again.
17:1
Average student-to-faculty ratio.
Explore Careers

An advanced degree in engineering provides you with the skills and knowledge to handle the new engineering problems that arise from our industrial-oriented society. By becoming a more environmentally-educated engineer, you will be well situated to pursue green positions, helping with areas such as water purification, flow, containment and transport. Consulting firms, industrial firms, and governmental agencies want engineers with advanced training in water resources engineering, systems analysis and optimization, hydrology, hydraulics, and civil engineering infrastructure.

Civil and environmental engineers with a focus on water resource engineering are needed in the global marketplace, though specific career opportunities depend on the desired region and job market. As a civil and environmental engineering graduate you'll find outstanding employment prospects in public works, private consulting or regulatory organizations, and government or military agencies.

In a recent study conducted by EMSI, it was determined that civil and environmental engineering is among the top 25 occupations facing potential skill shortages. This suggests that workers have failed to acquire the education employers are looking for. This paired with a predicted 19% rate of growth in the industry's employment opportunities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, offers an optimistic jobs outlook. Prepare yourself to meet market demand with a civil and environmental engineering master's degree.

You are encouraged to ask instructors about prominent regions for degree application and salary ranges. Professors may be able to connect you to valuable career resources, including job opportunities with private organizations or public agencies.

Curriculum

Degree Requirements

  • A minimum of 30 total credits must be completed with at least 15 of the 30 credits completed in civil engineering courses.
  • 24 credits must be earned from Colorado State University at the 500-level or above, of which 21 of the 24 credits must be earned after formal admission.
  • No more than two courses at the 400-level taken at Colorado State University are permitted.
  • A thesis, project paper, and final examination are not required. The M.E. is a coursework-only (Plan C) degree.
  • No independent study credits will count toward graduation.
Faculty
Hear from Our Students

Matt Thomas

Matt’s love of rivers started when he was just 16, working as a rafting guide. See how CSU’s online civil and environmental engineering master’s gave him the opportunity to put his passion to work.




Byrana Zuiderweg

Bryana Zuiderweg

“The information in this program was very applicable to my career. It helped me become a better, more developed engineer. My GIS courses allowed me to take my skills to another level. I apply what I learned in the pipeline and stormwater courses regularly in my daily job duties.”



Scott Kempin

Scott Kempin

“This program taught and prepared me to better use technology in the field, especially GIS and modeling tools. The case studies and literature prepared me to form defensible and sound engineering judgements. The professors prepared me to solve real-world challenges.”



Pamela Whitfield

Pamela Whitfield

“I wanted to switch disciplines from working at a natural gas utility to storm water design, but I struggled to get my foot in the door. Now I’m doing the work I really wanted to do and enjoying my career path. Much of what I learned in this program has direct connections to my job. I also learned to apply new ideas, such as incorporating GIS into projects to make a project more meaningful to the end user.”


Carlos Garcia

“Before completing the program, I had the seeds of ideas that could improve processes at work, but I wasn’t able to execute the ideas or build the tools. Since moving through this program, I have enhanced my abilities to create new and improved workflows, carving out an important role on my team at work.”

Questions? Your dedicated support coach has the answers
Kristina Reda headshot
Kristina Reda
Prospective Student Support Coach
Kristina was professional, kind, and incredibly helpful!
Learning Experience

All courses are delivered online via our learning management system called Canvas. The system allows you to watch recorded, campus-based lectures, engage in course content and communicate with peers online. Courses are asynchronous, allowing you to study at the time that best fits your schedule. Take a look at this engineering course capture to get a feel for the online student experience in our programs.

In your courses you will:

  • View recorded campus-based lectures online
  • Download and review lecture notes
  • Complete assigned and optional readings
  • Communicate and exchange ideas with instructors and fellow students through chat rooms, threaded discussions, and email
  • Complete individual projects and collaborate on group projects
  • Study for and complete exams
  • Write course-related papers

Although the online format of this degree offers flexibility, it still requires the same amount of work and time as an on-campus graduate program. Depending on your learning and studying style, expect to spend nine to twelve hours per week on a three-credit course. This will vary depending on your learning and studying style.

Your interactions with faculty depend on the specific course, but generally, your instructors have online or telephone office hours and are available by email or via course discussion boards.

This online program allows you to earn your degree while maintaining your busy work and family schedules.

Is online and distance learning right for you? »

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to write a thesis?

No. The Master of Engineering is a coursework-only (Plan C) degree.

Are scholarships available?

No. Scholarships are not available, but financial aid is available.

How will this program help me find a new job?

Civil engineers with a focus on water resource management are needed in a global marketplace, though specific career opportunities depend on the desired region and job market. You are encouraged to ask instructors about prominent regions for degree application and salary ranges. Professors may be able to connect you to valuable career resources, including job opportunities with private organizations or public agencies.

What are typical assignments and how much time will I spend preparing outside of class?

For this online program you can expect a similar workload to a traditional on-campus program. You can expect to spend approximately nine to twelve hours per week preparing for each three-hour course.

I don't have a B.S. in engineering, but I might still qualify. Should I apply?

Possibly. A B.S. in engineering is not required for the M.E. degree. However, certain prerequisite coursework is required. For detailed information visit the Application Requirements - Non-B.S.E. Students page.

Questions? Your dedicated support coach has the answers
Kristina Reda headshot
Kristina Reda
Prospective Student Support Coach
Kristina was professional, kind, and incredibly helpful!
How to Apply

1 Review Admission Requirements

The Master of Engineering in Civil and Environmental Engineering Degree requires applicants to have the following:

  • B.S. in Engineering (students with an undergraduate degree in another discipline click here for admission requirements)
  • 3.0 GPA in undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution (exceptions may be made for students who have 5 years of work experience and who have passed the PE exam. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 may also be required to submit GRE scores).
  • GRE scores are not required.

Note that meeting the minimum department standards does not ensure admission to the program. Admission to Colorado State University graduate programs is based on several factors, including prior academic and professional experience and the personal statement.

2 Complete Online Application

Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received. When choosing program of study, please indicate your specialization of choice:

CSU's Graduate School offers several application fee waiver opportunities. Visit their website to determine if you are eligible for a waiver.

3 Request Transcripts

Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.

Please Note: Students may be unconditionally admitted and registered in their first semester of courses with an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts must be submitted, prior to or during your first semester, before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Failure to meet this condition will result in your dismissal from the Graduate School.

Electronic (preferred):
Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial.

Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.

Mail (if necessary)
Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062

4 Submit Test Scores (Optional)

GRE test scores are not required, but may be submitted if you feel these will strengthen your application. Submit official GRE General Test scores through the Educational Testing Service (select institution code: 4075, leave the department code blank). Scores are typically received by the University 4-6 weeks after your testing date.

  • All three sections — verbal, quantitative, and analytical — must be submitted. Photocopies are not accepted.
  • CSU graduates do not, generally, need to take the GRE. If you think it will strengthen your application, though, we recommend you do take it.

Check Your Application Status

View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.

Once your complete application, including supporting materials, is received, the department admission committee will review your application and notify you of their decision.

For International Applicants

Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Learn more about English language proficiency requirements.

Questions? Call (970) 491-1813 or email kristina.reda@colostate.edu.

Application Dates
Fall semesterMay 1
Spring semesterNovember 1

Note: Full consideration will be given to applicants who have submitted all documents on time. Applications received after the deadline will be considered only on a space-available basis.

Apply Now

Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.

Apply Now
Questions? Your dedicated support coach has the answers
Kristina Reda headshot
Kristina Reda
Prospective Student Support Coach
Kristina was professional, kind, and incredibly helpful!