University of San Diego

What you'll study

The programme builds on undergraduate fundamentals to cover advanced topics in civil engineering. Core and elective modules typically include:

• Advanced Structural Analysis and Design — dynamic and seismic design, reinforced concrete and steel design, and performance-based design principles.
• Geotechnical Engineering — soil mechanics, foundation engineering, slope stability and ground improvement techniques.
• Transportation Engineering — traffic engineering, highway design, transport planning and modelling.
• Water Resources and Environmental Systems — hydraulics, hydrology, stormwater management and urban water systems.
• Construction Engineering and Management — project management, construction methods, cost estimating and contract administration.
• Computational Methods and Finite Element Analysis — numerical modelling, simulation tools and programming for engineering problems.
• Materials and Durability — behaviour of construction materials and assessment of infrastructure resilience and lifecycle performance.
• Sustainability and Resilient Design — green building practices, climate adaptation strategies and sustainable infrastructure planning.

Students typically complete a combination of required core courses and electives to meet the programme credit requirement. The department commonly offers two completion routes: a research thesis for those pursuing academic or research careers and a capstone design or project option aimed at practising engineers. Laboratory sessions, fieldwork and applied design projects form an integral part of the learning experience, and students are encouraged to apply modern software and modelling tools used in industry.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related engineering discipline from an accredited institution. Typical application materials include:

• Official academic transcripts demonstrating strong performance in core undergraduate engineering courses.
• A statement of purpose outlining academic and professional goals and intended area of study within civil engineering.
• Letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees who can attest to the applicant’s preparation for graduate study.
• A current résumé or curriculum vitae detailing relevant work experience, internships and technical skills.
• Proof of English language proficiency for international applicants (for example TOEFL or IELTS), unless exempt under the university’s policies.

Some applicants may be asked to submit GRE scores where required by the department; industry experience can strengthen an application, and applicants with undergraduate preparation deficiencies may be offered conditional admission with specified prerequisite coursework.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Master’s in Civil Engineering go on to roles across the built-environment sector. Common career paths include:

• Structural engineer or bridge engineer in consulting firms or public agencies.
• Geotechnical engineer working on foundations, earthworks and slope stabilisation projects.
• Transportation planner or traffic engineer for local governments, metropolitan planning organisations or transport consultancies.
• Water resources engineer focused on hydrology, stormwater and watershed management.
• Construction/project engineer or manager in contractor organisations overseeing delivery of infrastructure projects.
• Specialist roles in materials testing, infrastructure asset management, and resilience planning.

The programme also prepares students for continued academic study at the doctoral level and supports professional licensure pathways (such as Professional Engineer registration) by providing advanced technical coursework and supervised design experience.

Why study at University of San Diego

The University of San Diego offers a focused graduate civil engineering programme with small class sizes and close faculty mentoring, enabling hands-on laboratory and project-based learning. Its location in the San Diego region provides strong links to local engineering firms, public utilities and transportation agencies, offering internship and networking opportunities.

Students benefit from faculty whose research and professional experience spans structural mechanics, geotechnical practice, water resources and sustainable infrastructure, and from interdisciplinary collaboration across campus on topics such as environmental engineering and construction management. The programme emphasises practical skills, up-to-date industry software, and sustainable, resilient design—preparing graduates to meet contemporary infrastructure challenges in coastal and urban environments.