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The Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) program at Saint Martin's is designed to provide engineering and science graduates specialized technical knowledge in their field of interest within civil engineering, with emphasis areas in structural and foundations, transportation and project management, and environmental engineering. 

Program highlights

The MSCE curriculum is adaptable to both recent graduates and engineers with professional experience. Students will emerge with enhanced engineering analysis and design skills tailored to their professional objectives. 

Additional benefits include:

  • Faculty have real-world experience in the subjects they teach.
  • Classes are held in Cebula Hall (built in 2013), the most environmentally friendly and energy efficient building with LEED Platinum Certification in the Western Hemisphere, with labs in the Panowicz Foundry for Innovation (built in 2016). 
  • Classes are offered in late afternoon or evening to meet the needs of working professionals. Classes are generally scheduled to allow a student to complete the program in a two to three year period by taking two classes per semester.
  • The MSCE program offers many program arrangements including the following areas of emphasis: structural and foundations, transportation and project management, and environmental engineering.
  • Students can choose between a project or thesis route.
  • The program is offered on our main campus in Lacey.

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Qualified undergraduate students can earn a bachelor's in civil engineering and an MSCE in five years. Learn more about the 4+1 dual degree program.

Graduate students can pursue jointly an MSCE and a Master of Engineering Management degree at Saint Martin's.

  • The student needs to be accepted into both programs.
  • Up to 12 credits of cross-listed or approved courses may be applied to both degrees.
  • Each degree will be conferred separately upon completion of all requirements for that specific program.

Requirements

Candidates for the MSCE degree must satisfactorily complete 30 semester hours of approved coursework, including three semester hours of Advanced Design Project (MSCE 502) or six semester hours of thesis (MSCE 503). A maximum of four hours of independent study (MSCE 501) is allowed. All courses must be from the MSCE courses list or must be pre-approved in writing by the program director. Students must complete all work within seven years from the start of the program

Many program arrangements meeting the requirements for the Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree are possible. Students are free to take any of the MSCE courses for which they meet the prerequisites. The following are three examples of non-thesis programs with disciplinary focus.

  • MSCE 502 Advanced Design Projects/Advanced Special Projects (3)
  • MSCE 505 Insitu Soil Testing (3)
  • MSCE 518 Seismic Evaluation (3)
  • MSCE 533 Prestressed Concrete Design (3)
  • MSCE 540 Steel Design (3)
  • MSCE 541 Advanced Steel Design (3) 
  • MSCE 545 Timber Design (3)
  • MSCE 552 Masonry Design (3)
  • MSCE 553 Matrix Structural Analysis (3)
  • MSCE 555 Advanced Foundation Design (3)
  • MSCE 560 Structural Systems Design (3)
  • MSCE 563 Dynamics of Structures (3)
  • MSCE 573 Earthquake Engineering (3)
  • MSCE 575 Bridge Engineering and Design (3)
  • MSCE/MEM 612 Project Management (3)
  • MSCE/MEM 660 Engineering Project Costing (3)
  • MSCE/MEM 691 Construction Management (3)
  • MSCE 501 Independent Study (3)
  • MSCE 502 Advanced Design Projects/Advanced Special Projects (3)
  • MSCE 505 Insitu Soil Testing (3)
  • MSCE 525 Advanced Transportation Engineering (3)
  • MSCE 535 Pavement Design (3)
  • MSCE 565 Traffic Capacity Analysis (3)
  • MSCE 570 Solid Waste Engineering (3)
  • MSCE 571 Transportation Planning Applications (3)
  • MSCE/MEM 612 Project Management (3)
  • MSCE/MEM 660 Engineering Project Costing (3)
  • MSCE/MEM 680 Environmental Management (3)
  • MSCE/MEM 691 Construction Management (3)
  • MSCE 501 Independent Study (3)
  • MSCE 502 Advanced Design Projects/Advanced Special Projects (3)
  • MSCE 525 Advanced Transportation Engineering (3)
  • MSCE 535 Pavement Design (3)
  • MSCE 570 Solid Waste Management (3)
  • MSCE 580 Environmental Laboratory Processes (3)
  • MSCE 583 Water Resources Engineering (3)
  • MSCE 585 Wastewater Systems Engineering (3)
  • MSCE 596 Industrial Waste Engineering
  • MSCE/MEM 612 Project Management (3)
  • MSCE/MEM 660 Engineering Project Costing (3) MCE/MEM 680 Environmental Management (3)
  • MSCE/MEM 691 Construction Management (3)

Financial aid and scholarships

Federal aid helps students reach their goals

Federal aid

Federal financial aid is available for graduate students who will be enrolled at least half time and are citizens, or eligible non-citizens, of the USA. Most federal aid for graduate students is in the form of direct loans. 

For more details about federal aid eligibility and the different types of aid available for graduate and professional studies visit: studentaid.edu.gov.

Student presenting research

Graduate Assistantships

Saint Martin’s University offers a limited number of Graduate Assistantships to graduate students. Contact the Office of the Provost for more information.

FAQs

Saint Martin's University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. In addition, the undergraduate mechanical and civil engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

The acceptance letter for admitted students states which, if any, prerequisite courses are required. If a course requires specific prerequisites, it will be indicated in the course description in the current catalog.

Generally, students take two to three years to complete their degree requirements. This depends on how many courses a student takes each semester, the possible inclusion of summer courses and what prerequisite courses may be required.

Saint stories

Faculty

Jae Ho Chung, Ph.D., LEED AP BD+C

"My classes would be not only to answer the questions of today, but also to ask questions about difficulties that might arise tomorrow. It is my hope that my students will leave the classroom as better learners and better people.”

Jae Ho Chung, Ph.D., LEED AP BD+C
Director, Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) Program
Associate Professor, Civil Engineering
 The Hal and Inge Marcus School of Engineering