The field
Civil engineers are responsible for the design and construction of the infrastructure necessary to support civilized society. This includes buildings in which we live and work, transportation systems such as roads, railroads and airports, facilities to manage our natural water resources, and systems to collect, treat, and dispose of wastewater and solid wastes.
The program
One of the truly unique features of MSOE's civil engineering (CVE) program is that graduates can receive both their bachelor's and master's degrees in five years. This program is the only one of its kind in the state of Wisconsin. It has been designed to meet the new Body of Knowledge for the 21st Century requirements developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). These new requirements call for civil engineers to be proficient in both technical and professional skills. Such professional skills include familiarity with issues of public policy, business and public administration, globalization, leadership, and teamwork. Students graduating from MSOE's five-year "freshman-to-master's" program will meet all these requirements.
At MSOE, civil engineering course work provides a broad-based education touching on each of the traditional areas within the civil engineering field: structural engineering, environmental engineering, water resources engineering, transportation, construction, surveying and geotechnical engineering. Students will then gain in-depth proficiency and design skills in one of these three areas:
- Structural engineering: Equips graduates to design the structures associated with buildings, bridges, dams and other infrastructure elements
- Environmental engineering: Equips graduates to design systems for the production of potable water, the treatment, disposal, and reuse of wastewater, air permitting and air pollution control, management of solid and hazardous wastes, and remediation of contaminated groundwater and subsurface soils
- Water resources engineering: Equips graduates to design systems to manage our natural water resources, including potable water distribution systems, wastewater collection systems, stormwater conveyance systems, and the design of groundwater wells for potable water production.
The MSOE Advantage
- MSOE is the first and only university in the state of Wisconsin to offer a five-year, freshman-to-master's degree in civil engineering.
- With years of experience practicing what they teach, the professors at MSOE make phenomenal instructors and even better mentors.
- The laboratories in which you learn the ins and outs of your profession are industry standard and so are the computer programs you will use.
- MSOE is the only university in the state of Wisconsin to offer degrees in civil engineering, architectural engineering and construction management, giving students more choices with respect to potential career paths
- Additionally, the program offers the benefits of longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders, as well as a comprehensive focus on student support.
The Results
There is no better time than now to pursue a career in civil engineering. Entry-level civil engineers can expect annual salaries in the mid $50,000 range. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that civil engineers in America will experience employment growth of 24 percent in the next decade. Part of this projected growth is fueled by a significant need for investment in America's infrastructure over the next five years.
Added benefits
MSOE also offers civil engineering students a chance to become involved in professional society and community service activities.The ASCE student chapter at MSOE participates annually in ASCE's steel bridge and concrete canoe competitions, and both teams have successfully gone on to compete in the national competitions in recent years. MSOE also has a student chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), and students have participated in civil engineering development projects in Guatemala each year for the past several years. In 2008, MSOE's EWB student chapter was named a Premier Student Chapter by the EWB national organization.
The future of civil engineering is bright, and bright minds are needed to take on the infrastructure challenges of the 21st century. We hope you will choose to lay the foundation of your civil engineering career here at MSOE! For more information
- Program Director: Dr. Francis Mahuta
- Current course tracks and program information from the Undergraduate Academic Catalog
- If you would like to learn more about this program, please contact the Admissions Office.

