About this Program
Old Dominion University offers a Master of Science in Civil Engineering in Norfolk, Virginia, available on campus and, for the coastal engineering focus, fully online through ODUGlobal.
Students specialize in coastal, geotechnical, structural, transportation, or water resources engineering, with three ways to complete the degree: a research thesis, an applied project, or a coursework track. The program is built for full-time and part-time students, including working engineers.
Program Highlights
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Three Ways to Earn the M.S. All three tracks total 30 credit hours. Choose the path that fits your goals. The Thesis Option is 24 credit hours of coursework plus a 6-credit research thesis. Best for students headed toward research or a PhD. The Project Option is 27 credit hours plus a 3-credit research project. A middle path that pairs coursework with applied work. And the Course Option is 30 credit hours of coursework plus a final comprehensive examination. Best for working engineers focused on advancing in practice.
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Students concentrate in one of five areas: Geotechnical engineering, Structural engineering, Transportation engineering, Water resources engineering, Coastal engineering (available online through ODUGlobal)
Featured Courses
Requirements
Civil Engineering master's degree applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, preferably, in civil or environmental engineering with a strong background in mathematics and physical sciences. Each applicant must submit an essay of 500 words or less describing personal and academic goals, professional objectives, preparation for graduate study, and how the chosen program will help the applicant achieve these goals and objectives. Two letters of recommendation must be submitted from former or current professors, or employment supervisors. Regular admission to a master’s degree program generally requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA may be considered for regular or provisional admission on the basis of successful engineering work experience or other credentials demonstrating potential for success in the graduate program. The submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required unless the applicant holds an ABET accredited engineering degree. TOEFL (or IELTS) is required for all applicants whose native language is not English unless their BS degrees are from USA institutions or countries where English is the primary language of the people. Provisional admission may also be possible for applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than the applicant’s intended graduate program. In such cases there will be pre-requisite course requirements. Provisional admission may be given to those applicants who do not hold a bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering; however, these students will be required to complete undergraduate coursework in addition to the graduate program requirements.
Careers
Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.
Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
Cost of Attendance
Tuition is charged per credit hour. Amounts shown are tuition only and do not include mandatory fees, technology-delivered course fees, course-specific fees, books, housing, meal plans, or other costs. Campus-based students may take technology-delivered or online courses. Tuition is based on student classification. Fees for technology-delivered courses and other costs are listed on the ODU tuition and fees page.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Teaching & Research Assistantships
Teaching and research assistantships may be available on a competitive basis. The Civil and Environmental Engineering Visiting Council also offers Graduate Enhancement Awards to provide supplemental financial support to some of the graduate students who receive an assistantship.