Master of Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering
Creating a sustainable future through innovation, analysis, and design
With a century dedicated to research and teaching in the field, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is ranked among the top departments in the nation.
Our award-winning faculty develop fundamental tools and conduct innovative research by creating new techniques to interrogate complex systems. The result is disruptive technologies tied to equitable social policy and adaptive and resilient climate action, including robotics in construction, autonomous mobility systems, large-scale 3D printing, combined structural, geo-energy, and waste recovery systems, design of net-zero water and energy cycles, and predictive and innovative responses to extreme events.
The master of science in civil and environmental engineering prepares students to become the next generation of leaders in research, academic, corporate, and public service settings who will create a healthier, more prosperous future.
Research Domains
Students focus their studies on one of these four research domains. Each domain addresses multiple system-level research areas. Choose a specialization to learn more about the curriculum.
Pablo Durango-CohenAssociate Professor
What Faculty Are Saying
“Hone your skills in one of the department’s academic areas while working on socially and environmentally relevant systems problems that transcend disciplinary boundaries, and that will contribute to shaping a better future.”
Curriculum
The basics at-a-glance
Degree requirements vary based on the specialization that is chosen. Students work with their advisors to construct study plans suited to their unique backgrounds and interests. Explore a specialization above to learn more.
Students typically earn their master’s degree in 9 months or 3 quarters of study.
Coursework
Students complete 12 courses (core courses + electives) covering advanced fundamentals of the field, including mechanics, analysis, design, computer methods, and modeling. There are also many opportunities to take courses outside the department.
Seminar Series
All students are enrolled in a seminar series focused on their chosen area of specialization. Seminars enhance the classroom experience by inviting industry professionals and researchers from around the world to discuss their research. Many students have one-on-one meetings with the guests as well.
Individualized Training
In addition to customizing the degree through course electives, many students expand their experience through completing a design project or thesis, or pursuing a minor in management, machine learning and data science, or entrepreneurship.
Chicago
Easy access to rich urban and ecological environments as well as connections to local world-class NGOs, firms, and lab
Chicago, located on the shores of the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world, is the third-largest city in the US and offers access to dynamic urban and natural research environments.
Why Northwestern?
Join our close collaborative community with access to top facilities and networking opportunities
Perform research in top facilities
Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities within our department and throughout Northwestern, such as our Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Experimental Center (NUANCE), and our 3D Printing Laboratory. Students can also access some of Argonne National Laboratory’s large scale lab facilities.
Work with renowned faculty in a close community
Working with award-winning, internationally renowned faculty, students find an exceptional range of opportunities to advance their knowledge and careers in a scholarly community that’s small enough to assure individual attention and effective mentoring.
Network with alumni in prominent positions worldwide
Our alumni hold a wide variety of positions at top firms, government agencies, consultancies, and in academia across the US and worldwide. Benefit from alumni panel events where graduates share their experiences from their work in the field.
Our Innovative Approach
A collaborative, systems thinking approach to the systemic challenges of today
To make our communities robust to all the challenges of modern society, our department looks at research differently. We connect across disciplines to understand the fundamental aspects of problems and craft solutions that anticipate unexpected outcomes. We explore new technologies, new materials, and new ideas with the community and distributional impact of our solutions in mind.
Immerse yourself in our innovative ways of approaching problems to prepare yourself for your career.
Career Paths
Where do we go from here?
Many of our graduates go into engineering practice, while others pursue careers in industry, consulting, or government.
In addition to the extensive career placement resources available through both Northwestern’s Engineering Career Development office and Northwestern Career Advancement, the department supports student career development and placement through career talks with panels of graduates working in different sectors, teaching and research experience, and networking through faculty.
Academia
Research
Government
NGOs
National Labs - Industry
Where our alumni work in industry
Request Your Program & Application Guide
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