Noteworthy Engineering School launches Online Civil Masters

Program boasts small class sizes and focus on leadership skills.

Program: Master of Science in Civil Engineering

Description:

“The Department of Civil Engineering at Case Western Reserve University prepares students for leadership roles in civil and environmental engineering. Students are taught to address problems by building on solid technical foundations while taking advantage of advanced technologies. Our graduates adhere to high technical and ethical standards in service to the public, and are prepared for the practice of civil and environmental engineering at the highest professional levels.  The graduate program prepares students for careers in industry, professional practice, research and teaching. Recent advanced degree recipients have found positions in universities, geotechnical and structural consulting firms, petroleum companies, plant design firms and aerospace firms, among others,” said  David Zeng, Program Director

Where is it: Cleveland, OH

Format: Online

Prerequisites:  Bachelor of Science in engineering, natural sciences, mathematical sciences or physical sciences. (Additional remedial/preparatory courses may be required).

Degree you get: Master of Science: Civil Engineering

Size of the Program: Launching Fall 2015 

Number of credit hours: 27 (9 Courses)

Thesis: N/A

And that will take how long? 1-2 years

When to Start: Spring or Fall Term

Fees: $40,000 – $45,000

Min. Admission Requirements

  • Transcripts (GPA > 3.0)
  • GRE (min. 80th percentile on quantitative)
  • TOEFL (Internet: 90, Paper base: 577, IELTS: 7.0)
  • 3 Letters of Reference
  • Essay (Statement of Purpose)

Not Required

  • Resume (Work Experience Preferred)

Who should take it?

  • Working Engineers and Professionals

Things to Consider about the Program:

  • This is a new program that is being offered for the first time
  • Limited course list (one substitution can be made with faculty approval

Claim to fame:

  • Active for more than 125 years
  • Small class sizes
  • School has history of graduating noteworthy engineers

Proven Track-record for Teaching Engineering

The Case School of Engineering is launching an Online Master of Science in Civil Engineering program with a focus on technical and leadership skills. The Ohio-based university, which dates back to the 1800s, has been training engineers for more than 125 years. Among the notable alumni are Dow Chemical founder Herbert H. Dow (1888) and Gmail creator Paul Buchheit (1988). Although a majority of students are American, a sizeable student base (23 percent) comes from abroad. 

Case School of Engineering MSCE program director David Zeng.

 “The school has an impressive record of developing a new breed of engineers and engineering leaders,” says department chair and program director David Zeng. “Case Western Reserve faculty and students possess the potential and the propensity to solve society’s most pressing problems.”   

According to Zeng, now is the time to enter the field of civil engineering. “There is a large demand for civil engineers nationally. The program at Case Western Reserve University is built around small classes, good faculty-student relationships and advising, and a program flexible enough to meet students’ personal career aims.”

Civil engineers oversee the design, construction and maintenance of everyday structures. “Examples of such facilities are transportation systems, schools and office buildings, bridges, dams, land reclamation projects, water treatment and distribution systems, commercial buildings, and industrial plants,” explains Zeng, a recipient of ASCE Cleveland’s Outstanding Civil Engineer of the Year award. 

In addition to traditional civil engineering roles, graduates can choose from a number of other career options. These range from consulting to research and development opportunities. Recent civil engineering graduates have gone on to work for universities, petroleum companies, geotechnical and structural consulting firms, plant design companies and aerospace firms, among many others.

Zeng says Case Western Reserve University’s Master of Science in Civil Engineering (Online) prepares students “for leadership roles in civil and environmental engineering, and offers a technical concentration in structural engineering.”

Structural engineering is a branch that focuses on designing and creating structures that are used in everyday life; examples include skyscrapers, hospitals, bridges, theatres, sports stadiums, oil rigs and many others.

Graduates are able to work in both the private and public sectors. “Employment can be found among a wide variety of industrial, governmental, construction, and private consulting organizations,” the program director adds.

The Online Advantage

Moving to a different state to pursue a master’s degree is not always a viable option. Financial and personal constraints often create challenges for prospective students who want to avoid putting their careers on hold. These are some of the reasons why the Case School of Engineering has introduced a fully online master’s program. “Now, with degrees 100 percent online, students can keep their lives on track wherever they are and learn crucial skills that can significantly advance their careers,” says Zeng.

The same faculty who lectures graduate students on campus teaches the online content. “With the same in-depth, rigorous content delivered in a convenient online format, students who participate in the online programs receive the same robust education and training as traditional on-campus master’s students,” Zeng adds.

Highlights of the program include small class sizes, a focus on faculty-student relationships, and enough flexibility for students to pursue their customized career goals.

 
According to the program director, students can expect to participate in “forward-thinking and challenging coursework delivered in an engaging, immersive online environment.” Each course lasts approximately 14 weeks. Students can access their classes through the university’s web-based learning management system, where technical support is offered 24 hours, seven days a week.

Zeng admits a key challenge for online programs is the hands-on experience and problem solving that is part of a traditional engineering education. However, the university is taking steps to address this. “We have been experimenting and are in the process of developing simulations that accurately simulate the laboratory,” Zeng shares.

Who Should Pursue an Online Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Case Western Reserve University?

The Online Master of Science in Civil Engineering program is designed to prepare students for careers in industry, professional practice, research and teaching. Relevant undergraduate degrees include a bachelor of science in engineering, natural sciences, mathematical sciences and physical sciences. The program also accepts applicants from other disciplines, but these candidates may be required to complete remedial/preparatory courses.

Zeng says the program caters mostly to working professionals. “A master’s degree allows engineers to delve further into the latest breakthroughs in their specific areas of expertise or to enhance leadership skills for career advancement,” he explains.  

In fact, technical and leadership skills are two  of the program’s most important components,
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis up until 45 days before the term start date. The first iteration of the program is scheduled to begin in August of 2015.

 

The Case School of Engineering has sponsored this post. They have no editorial input to this post – all opinions are mine. Ilan Mester.