Customize your master of science in engineering program with a focus in civil engineering to meet your career goals.
At Widener, you will:
Benefit from a supportive environment and flexible curriculum.
Deepen your knowledge of civil engineering with advanced courses in environmental/water resources and structural areas.
Have the option to get involved with research or teaching; graduate assistantships are available.
Graduate prepared to be a leader in a variety of civil engineering careers.
Civil Engineering Master's Degree Program Options
You can earn your master of science in engineering degree with or without a thesis. The classroom study includes core engineering courses as well as technical electives including advanced courses in environmental/water resources and structural areas. Students following the thesis option will take 24 credits of classroom study and complete a 6-credit thesis. Those not pursuing thesis will replace the 6-credit thesis with two technical electives.
For curriculum and coursework requirements, view our Loading....
The online catalog also features School of Engineering educational objectives, academic policies, and more which can be accessed by clicking Academic Schools & Departments and selecting the School of Engineering.
You can build additional knowledge in a second area of engineering and advance your graduate-level work by pursuing a dual specialization. Dual specialization is available within all engineering tracks and is often paired with engineering and technology management.
Jointly offered by the School of Engineering and School of Business Administration, this dual degree program gives you the inside track to emerging engineering leadership by offering technical training paired with advanced study in business and management.
In order to pursue this dual degree, you must apply and be admitted to both degree programs.
Why Earn Your Master's in Civil Engineering (MSE) at Widener?
Work Around Your Schedule
Graduate classes meet one night per week and are streamed over the Internet live and archived for later viewing. This gives you a direct connection to faculty, and allows you to stay up-to-date with coursework while traveling or when unexpected work conflicts arise.
Research Alongside Faculty on Cutting-Edge Projects
Our faculty are invested in your success. You will have the opportunity to work closely with renowned civil engineering faculty in the classroom on contemporary issues and outside of the classroom on cutting-edge research projects.
Experience a Personal Classroom
With small class sizes, you receive direct interaction with experienced faculty. You will learn from industry experts in the classroom and have the opportunity to work closely with classmates. In addition, the Graduate Program Office is always open in the evenings prior to class.
Student Stories
"I feel like if I went to a bigger school I wouldn’t have been able to, or felt comfortable enough to interact with the professors the way I did at Widener."
“My goal as an educator is to equip students with the technical skills, intellectual aspiration, and humanistic appreciation needed for their future professional career in civil engineering.”
Nearly half of a million dollars in grants will fund undergraduate and graduate research to advance innovations from self-driving sensing technologies to sustainable low-carbon construction materials.
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Requirements
Candidates should hold a bachelor of science degree in engineering. Candidates who hold undergraduate degrees in closely related areas are also considered.
Candidates should hold a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.8 (based on a 4.0 system) from an undergraduate program and scores from the GRE. The GRE requirement is optional for applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and above from an EAC/ABET accredited undergraduate program, applicants interested in pursuing the MSE part-time, and current Widener students applying to the 4+1 accelerated program.
Deadlines
The School of Engineering graduate program reviews applications on a rolling admission basis.
Please explain why you wish to do graduate work in the field you have selected with particular emphasis on your proposed area of specialization. Please limit this essay to no more than one typewritten page. The admissions committee will assess the personal statement for content and quality of writing.
Widener transfer applicants follow the same application process as general applicants. After you apply, our admissions team will work with you to determine whether completed undergraduate and graduate coursework will count towards foundation/core courses that can be waived or substituted.
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process. This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.
How to Apply as a Graduate International Student
Complete your online application
Submit your official transcripts from all college/university post-secondary institutions. A course-by-course credential evaluation completed by a NACES certified organization will be accepted if the transcript is not in the English language.
If you require an F-1 visa, you must provide written proof you have adequate funding available to meet the expenses incurred while studying in the United States
Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it.
You might be surprised how much we are able to offer.
Getting started is easy. Simply apply to Widener and submit your FAFSA to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources. Our school code is 003313.
In order to receive a financial aid offer, students must meet certain eligibility requirements. Here are the general eligibility requirements for most financial aid programs:
Must demonstrate financial need
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
Be enrolled or admitted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
Applying For Financial Aid as a Graduate Student
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
Widener offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to enrolled students. GAs receive tuition assistance for their work. Once you're a student, contact your program director for more information.
Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
If you graduated with a degree from Widener,you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.