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Master of Science in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering)

The Master of Science in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering) teaches professionals to understand and execute the broad array of technical and non technical activities associated with construction engineering and facilities management. As a graduate of this program you will be successful in solving construction engineering and management problems. You will also be competent in facilities management. This program provides the necessary skills and technological tools to enhance your career, and will prepare you for a variety of employment opportunities in the construction industry, including working for general contractors, real estate developers, and architectural engineering firms.

The construction field spans the elements of construction technology, construction engineering, and project management, making effective construction engineering highly complex. In many cases it requires a profound awareness of the technical, economic and political environment. The Construction Engineering graduate program at USC covers the most current theories and practices needed by the construction engineering professional. It is taught by faculty who hold particular prominence in the field and is complemented by the instructional programs of the Marshall School of Business and the Epstein Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering.

Available On-Campus and Online
In addition to our traditional on-campus classroom environment, this program is also available via online delivery through the Viterbi School’s Distance Education Network (DEN). This flexible option is ideal for engineering professionals who choose to pursue an advanced degree while employed. Visit our 'Getting Started' section to find out if DEN is right for you.


Application Criteria & Materials
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Application Criteria
An undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics from a regionally-accredited university.

Satisfactory cumulative undergraduate GPA (grade point average)

Satisfactory GRE test scores. All scores must be officially reported to the university directly by ETS.

Satisfactory performance in previous coursework related to the intended major.

Application Materials
All Applicants
 
International Applicants

USC Online Application: All applicants must complete and submit the USC Online Application.

Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, sealed by the institution.

Mail transcripts to:

USC Graduate Office of Admission
University Park Campus
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

If via private carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.):

University of Southern California Office of Admission & Financial Aid
3601 South Flower Street
Tyler 1
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

GRE General Test: Satisfactory scores less than five years old. Official scores must be reported from ETS directly to USC using ETS school code 4852. A department code is not required.

Letters of Recommendation (two required): Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. They should be written on official letterhead.

Statement of Purpose (required): The statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.

 

TOEFL: The TOEFL is not required for admission to USC, however, we strongly encourage all international students to submit a TOEFL score. USC administers an English placement (ISE) exam during orientation for all international students to determine if additional courses in English are needed. Students can place out of the exam with a score of at least:

  • 100 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL (with a minimum score of 20 in each section)
  • 250 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL
  • 600 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL

Students whose native language is English and/or obtained their bachelor's degree from a U.S. college or university are also exempted from this requirement.

The TOEFL must have been taken within the last two years to be valid.



Completion Requirements
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A minimum of 27 units is required to earn the MS in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering) degree.

  • Required Courses: 18 units
  • Required Math Course: 3 units
  • Elective Courses: 6 units (elective courses must be pre-approved)



Program Details and Course Offerings
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Click on these icons next to a course name for more information:
Available Online through the Distance Education Network. Visit our 'Getting Started' section to find out more information.

Please note that the courses listed below are those typically available. Students should always consult with the USC Schedule of Classes and USC Catalogue for the most updated and official information. If you have any questions about these courses, please contact our office directly.

Required Courses (18 Units)
Notes
Choose one of the following (*DEN students must take CE 462)
CE 462 | Construction Methods and Equipment   Available Online
CE 469 | Sustainability    
CE 470 | Building Information Modeling and Integrated Practice    
Additional Required Course Options
CE 501 | Functions of the Constructor   Available Online
CE 502 | Construction Accounting and Finance   Available Online
CE 506 | Heavy Construction Estimating   Available Online
CE 556a | Project Cost Estimating, Control, Planning, and Scheduling   Available Online
CE 556b | Project Cost Estimating, Control, Planning, and Scheduling   Available Online
Choose one of the following
CE 506 | Heavy Construction Estimating   Available Online
CE 557 | Advanced Building Estimating   Available Online

 

Elective Courses (9 Units)
Notes
9 units of electives must be taken after consulting with an advisor. Any other electives from Civil Engineering; other Engineering disciplines; the School of Architecture, School of Policy, Planning and Development, the Law Center, or the Graduate School of Business, must have an advisor's approval.
CE 402 | Computer Methods in Engineering    
CE 412 | Construction Law and the Property Development Process   Available Online
CE 469 | Sustainability    
CE 470 | Building Information Modeling and Integrated Practice   Available Online
CE 505 | Heavy Construction Operations and Methods    
CE 525b | Engineering Analysis   Available Online
CE 554 | Risk and Reliability Analysis for Civil Infrastructure Systems    
CE 558 | International Construction and Engineering    
CE 559 | Strategic Planning in Construction Engineering   Available Online
CE 570 | Building Information Modeling for Collaborative Construction    
CSCI 455x | Introduction to Programming Systems Design   Available Online
GSBA 532a | Behavior and Organizations    
ISE 530 | Introduction to Operations Research   Available Online
MATH 501 | Numerical Analysis and Computation    

 



Contact Information
All General Questions
Please contact our office for all general questions about this program, including courses through DEN.

Ph: 213-740-4488
Toll Free (in the U.S.): 877-740-1336
Fax: 213-821-0851

Request Information


Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Offering a broad range of traditional and emerging civil and environmental engineering programs; structural control and health monitoring; earthquake engineering; construction; water resources; environmental technology development.

http://www.usc.edu/dept/civil_eng/dept/

 


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