Civil Engineering Professional Master’s Program — Water Engineering & Management emphasis
Ãå±±½ûµØ’s professional Master of Science degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in water engineering and management (WE&M) provides early and mid-career professionals with skills in communication, leadership, management, utility finance and governance specific to the water industry. This unique program is designed for working professionals.
WE&M equips you with the tools to produce results and solve increasingly complex problems in the water profession. Courses are taught by senior water professionals from across the country andÌýoffered on campus, withÌýlive-streaming orÌýrecorded options available. This flexible format allows working professionals from around the world to earn credentials while while applying their learning directly to their jobs.
Students are early- to mid-careerÌýprofessionals working for utilities, consulting firms, government and regulatory agencies who are seeking to advance their careers in the water industry. With a faculty of senior water professionals from across the country— including experts from utilities, consulting firms and global professional organizations —students have the opportunity to network and learn through real-world case studies.
Specific course requirements for the Civil Engineering Professional Master’s Program Ìý— Water Engineering & Management (WE&M) track are detailed below.Ìý
FAQS
A Professional Master's ProgramÌýdegree offers professionals new opportunities for career advancement and equips them with a broader skill set, enabling them to handle more responsibilities in their professions. This often leads to substantial increases in responsibilities and salary. Additionally, working professionals frequently benefit from financial support from their employers, with many companies covering a large portion of their employees’ master's degree expenses.
Costs vary depending on whether you are a Colorado resident and the number of credits you takeÌýeachÌýsemester.Ìý Visit this pageÌýfor up-to-date information on tuition and fees. Be sure to check with your employer to see if they offer full or partial tuition reimbursement.
The deadline for Fall 2025 professional MS program has been extended to Feb. 1, 2025. However, if the MS application deadline has passed, it’s not too late to enroll in the certificate program —a flexible option requiring minimal commitment. Certificate credits can later be applied toward a full Professional Master’s degree, offering a seamless path to explore the program and expand your qualifications.
For those working full time, it’s common to take one to two courses per semester. Live courses are offered once a week for three hours via Zoom and are recorded for later viewing, providing flexibility for students who may have missed a session. Professionals employed by utilities can often incorporate their projects as three-hour courses, integrating their work into the program.Ìý
Program completion ranges from three to five years, depending on the number of courses working students choose to take. Students who are not concurrently employed typically complete the program in about 1.5 years.
Students are roughly split between distance learners and those attending classes on the Ãå±±½ûµØ campus. Among on-campus students, approximately 70 percent are employed full time.
Students have the flexibility to transfer between the PMP and the traditional research MS degree, ensuring that their academic path aligns with their evolving goals and preferences.
The graduate certificate in Water Engineering and Management (WE&M) typically has rolling admissions. You can consider enrolling in thisÌýdistance course and later apply those credits towards anÌýMS degree.Ìý
Prerequisites vary depending on the enrollment option above. Generally, it is expected that prospective students will have a bachelor’s degree and an understanding of the water profession.
For acceptance into the professional MS degree, students must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, natural science or mathematics f