Engineer innovative infrastructure solutions that solve complex challenges and drive meaningful progress.
As the global population grows and environmental challenges increase, the need for civil engineers to create sustainable and forward-thinking infrastructure has never been higher. The master’s degree in civil engineering prepares graduates to lead in private industry, government and military sectors.
Choose from six areas of specialization:
With a comprehensive curriculum, you’ll build in-demand skills in mathematics, mechanics, materials and project management—preparing you to lead projects, solve real-world problems and advance your engineering career.
At Florida Tech, you'll gain the technical expertise, hands-on experience and leadership skills that set you apart in the civil engineering job market. Our career-focused curriculum and collaborative environment prepare you to make an immediate impact and position you for continued growth and advancement in the field.
At Florida Tech, civil engineering students learn in a focused, collaborative environment with small class sizes, close faculty mentorship and a global network of peers and professionals.
Faculty and students work together on industry-relevant research, building real-world expertise that supports both innovation and career success.
The program fosters independent, solutions-oriented thinking—preparing graduates to become subject matter experts ready to lead.
Our faculty are professional engineers who bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the program, both from their roles as professional engineers and as active researchers across a variety of fields such as wind and seismic engineering, risk modeling, hydraulic engineering, transportation and geotechnical engineering, wastewater management and environmental engineering.
They are skilled in field and laboratory data collection, testing, analysis, construction of data acquisition systems, software development and analytical and numerical modeling.
Our faculty bring academic and research excellence together with real-world experience in consulting, military service and international projects. Their wide-ranging backgrounds give students practical insight and global perspectives—key to succeeding in today’s engineering landscape.
The Civil Engineering M.S. is offered with both thesis and nonthesis options.
The thesis provides an in-depth research experience, allowing you to explore a specific topic and contribute new insights to civil engineering. This process helps you develop expertise in a specialized area, giving you an edge in roles that prioritize deep knowledge and preparing you for potential doctoral studies.
Completing a thesis allows you to build leadership and professional experience for teaching and research assistantships. In addition, working closely with faculty mentors offers personalized guidance and networking opportunities. The Florida Tech Scholarship Repository ensures permanent open access to your research, and students are encouraged to publish their research in industry journals, as well.
If you choose the nonthesis option, the comprehensive final examination allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the discipline and readiness for professional challenges, ensuring you are well-prepared for careers in the field.
University collaborations with agencies including the U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, Florida Department of Transportation or the Federal Emergency Management Agency offer students exciting research and employment opportunities.
Florida Tech students have completed civil engineering internships and research projects with scores of consulting companies and government agencies, including:
Hands-on experience is central to the civil engineering program at Florida Tech. Through internships, assistantships and research opportunities, students gain real-world skills that extend beyond the classroom.
The interdisciplinary nature of faculty-led research prepares students to become well-rounded professionals ready to address complex engineering challenges.
Master’s students who choose the thesis option engage in advanced research projects across key areas such as energy-efficient building modeling, low-voltage DC microgrid development, pavement instrumentation, sustainable materials, hurricane-resistant structures, freight logistics and water quality in the Indian River Lagoon—contributing meaningful solutions to real-world problems while deepening their technical expertise.
Florida Tech’s location in a high-tech corridor makes it ideal for your civil engineering master’s degree. Our beautiful 130-acre campus is in the heart of Florida's iconic Space Coast.
Our location offers unparalleled opportunities, with NASA-Kennedy Space Center nearby and a thriving high-tech workforce that includes leading corporations, government agencies and military organizations. This vibrant professional community creates abundant internship and employment opportunities for students and graduates alike.
When it’s time to kick back and relax, you’re just minutes from 72 miles of beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Ocean or the Indian River Lagoon, the most biodiverse estuary in North America, and a short trip away from the Florida Keys or the Orlando theme parks.
At Florida Tech, our campus is a hub of global connections, where students from the U.S. and around the world come together to create a rich, dynamic environment. This sense of community fosters mutual understanding and collaboration, reflecting the increasingly interconnected world we all share.
Whether you're a U.S. student seeking to broaden your horizons through interacting with peers from other countries or an international student exploring new opportunities in the U.S., Florida Tech offers a place for learning, sharing and growing in a truly global setting.
Applicants usually have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. If your degree is in another engineering field, mathematics or the physical sciences, you are still encouraged to apply. Our department will work with accepted students for identification and completion of any necessary undergraduate courses to ensure they are well-prepared for graduate study in mechanical engineering.
For more application information, please see our graduate admission requirements.
At Florida Tech, you’ll gain the expertise and connections to launch an impactful career in civil engineering.
Our graduates' knowledge of mathematics, mechanics and materials prepares them for roles in urban planning, large-scale construction design (e.g., highways, airports, bridges), infrastructure management, material testing, regulatory oversight and more.
Many of our civil engineering master’s graduates go on to design and manage major infrastructure projects, working for government entities or in private sector roles with consulting and construction firms.
Civil engineering roles include:
Local and national engineering firms that have hired Florida Tech graduates include:
Florida Tech Career Services assists students, alumni and employers in their search for careers and employee candidates. We help students develop career plans and job-search skills. Explore our Career Toolbox to learn more about our services and access additional resources.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides information about specific jobs, including median annual pay, working conditions and job outlook, among other things. Check the handbook for information on the outlook for civil engineering careers.
For graduates eager to take the next step after earning their master’s in civil engineering, Florida Tech’s Ph.D. program offers an opportunity to tackle global infrastructure challenges through innovative research and advanced problem-solving. A Ph.D. can open doors to leadership roles and enhanced earning potential.
Full-time doctoral research assistants may be eligible for full-tuition scholarships, making this transformative educational journey even more accessible.
The civil engineering master’s curriculum combines rigorous academics with hands-on experience to prepare graduates for leadership and subject-matter expertise.
This 30-credit program emphasizes innovative, independent thinking and offers flexibility to align your studies with your career goals.
Students choose one of six civil engineering specialization areas: environmental, geotechnical, transportation, structural, water resources or construction management.
You will work closely with a faculty mentor in your chosen field to map out a personalized plan of study that includes core courses specific to your area of specialization, along with mathematics or operations research.
Electives and specialized research provide further opportunities to tailor your program to your goals, and the program offers both thesis and nonthesis options.
Six specializations are offered, each providing targeted focus to align with your career goals and interests.
Prepare for leadership roles in project planning, cost control and operations, focusing on managing contracts, teams and risks. Emphasis is placed on communication, ethics and stakeholder relations in complex industry environments.
Focus on pollution control and sustainable infrastructure. Learn to design stormwater systems, manage waste and tackle air and water quality challenges in compliance-driven roles.
Focus on the design and analysis of foundations, slopes, pavements and coastal infrastructure. Build career-ready skills for roles in transportation, construction or coastal protection through applied training in soil mechanics, pavement design and erosion control.
Develop advanced skills in the design and analysis of steel, concrete and dynamic structures. Learn to apply finite element methods and other analytical tools to solve real-world challenges in buildings, bridges and critical infrastructure—preparing for specialized roles in design firms, construction companies or advanced technical consulting.
Prepare for careers in infrastructure planning and transportation systems design. Learn to model transportation networks, analyze demand and optimize road and airport pavements using advanced tools such as GIS and operations research techniques.
Build expertise in managing water systems for urban and environmental settings. Focus on hydrology, stormwater control and groundwater modeling to support careers in infrastructure design, flood mitigation or environmental consulting.
Learn more about Civil Engineering at Florida Tech on the website.