3 leading schools for master’s in civil, environmental and structural engineering

Experience is a great teacher — especially if you’re planning to advance your career in civil, environmental and structural engineering. The world does have big problems for engineers with specialised skill sets to solve. From reversing climate change to building greener structures, these are areas where theory and technical skills alone won’t suffice. Today’s engineers need sophisticated knowledge, skills, and values to deal with the complexities and challenges of real-world projects today.

More direct experience and engagement with industry can help you do just that. For example, taking part in a co-op programme or project with a multinational may get you playing the role of collaborator and communicator. Meanwhile, joining a short-term internship with a lean startup may tap into your project management or leadership skills. By wearing multiple hats, you get a taste of what being a successful engineer in the 21st century is all about.

The best engineering schools understand this well and provide plenty of hands-on experiences in its master’s programmes. A selection of the top three in North America is provided below: 

The University of Alberta’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers nine engineering, including construction and mining engineering. Source: University of Alberta

University of Alberta

The University of Alberta (UAlberta) is ranked fourth in Canada and 96th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025 — a showing of how well it’s perceived by academics and employer reputation, its research impact, and more. It’s here that you’ll find the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Mining and Petroleum Engineering. Like UAlberta, programmes here rank highly too. According to QS, Petroleum Engineering is first in Canada and #6 globally and Mining & Mineral Engineering is fourth in Canada and #12 globally. The Academic Ranking of World Universities ranks Environmental Science & Engineering second in Canada.

Such rankings back up the department’s claim for offering some of the finest instruction and facilities in North America that have drawn more than 500 graduate students to build their future here. They are pursuing programmes like Construction Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geoenvironmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering.

Whichever programme you choose, you start by completing a comprehensive and innovative curriculum led by top minds in their fields and fused with advanced technologies and sustainable practices integrated. Through specialised and elective courses, you’ll work in internationally renowned facilities and work with state-of-the-art tools and technologies. All of this will prepare you for your chosen careers, with lots of networking and career coaching and student-industry networking sessions to further guide you. Recent events covered topics such as entrepreneurship, networking and interviewing, building self-confidence, requirements for registration as Professional Engineer in Alberta, careers in artificial intelligence, and renewables.

There are opportunities for internships, and collaborative projects with leading engineering firms and organisations too. Access to the Engineering Employment Centre resources ensures you’re always aware of job postings, workshops, networking opportunities, and career fairs.

Apply to The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Mining and Petroleum Engineering today.

UC Davis Civil and Environmental Engineering is home to the UC Pavement Research Centre, which develops innovations in pavement structures, materials, and technologies. Source: University of California, Davis/Facebook

University of California, Davis

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is at the forefront of addressing today’s most pressing societal challenges through education and research. The department is dedicated to developing sustainable solutions and nurturing a critical approach to problem-solving among its students.

Here, students gain foundational knowledge and apply it through hands-on learning experiences. They are driven to make a tangible difference, learning to think critically, define complex problems, and devise socially conscious and technically sound solutions for infrastructure and environmental issues. Faculty and student research influence California and US policy, focusing on enhancing infrastructure resilience against hazards like climate change, earthquakes, fires, and droughts.

One way to join them is through the nationally and internationally renowned UC Davis graduate programme in Civil and Environmental Engineering. The master’s programme has a rigorous curriculum that impart specialised knowledge, new developments, and leadership skills.

With research expenditures surpassing US$20 million, the faculty at CEE are leaders in preserving, protecting, and ensuring the sustainability of the natural and built environment. They have received national recognition for their leadership in the Healthy Davis Together wastewater COVID-19 testing programme. Their expertise spans natural systems, built systems, and behavioural systems, utilising various methodologies, including mathematical and computational methods, laboratory experiments, and real-time environmental measurements.

Student groups play a big role in the department, cultivating community, expanding skills, and applying knowledge in practical settings. The Engineers Without Borders team, led by CEE students, exemplifies the department’s commitment to impactful, real-world applications.

Carnegie Mellon University is home to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, one of the best engineering schools in the US. Source: Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), the College of Engineering, and CMU consistently rank among the nation’s best. Both its Environmental Engineering and Civil Engineering graduate programmes place among the top 10, according to the 2022 US News and World Report analysis.

Its faculty is just as impressive. There are 23 full-time faculty members in total and each provides individualised attention to every Master of Science student. An open-door policy ensures students are paired with an advisor who has once been in their shoes and has the knowledge to guide them to where they want to go. From course selection to career outcomes, every angle is covered by a world-renowned faculty — five of whom are inducted into the National Academy of Engineering.

With an MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering, students design their own path with concentrations in Smart Structures, Smart Transportation/Mobility, Climate Change Adaptation, Data Analytics, and plenty more. The MS in CEE is unique in that students design their own path. Graduate students could even opt to “cross-cut” their concentrations to connect the intersecting topics of structures, environment, and materials.

If CEE students have more specific plans for their professional endeavours, the Career and Professional Development Centre (CPDC) is always available to help. From resume and cover letter reviews, job/internship recruiting platforms like Handshake, workshops, to fair preparation, mock interviews, and job offer evaluation/negotiation — dedicated consultants support budding engineers throughout the entire process.

During both the fall and spring semesters, the CPDC hosts employers from across the nation for fairs and on-campus recruiting events. Whatever tomorrow’s engineers wish to achieve with their newfound knowledge, CMU will help them get there.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International