The Master of Science Degree
The MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Davis offers a technically rigorous degree that will help you advance in your career as a professional engineer. Our degree is designed to deepen your knowledge in a specialized field, allow you to become proficient in tracking new developments, and provide you with the skills to enable you to become a leader in your field and your career.
Customized. In addition to core classes based on your research area, students develop an individual Program of Study under the guidance of their Major Professor to create a customized experience to meet your personal, academic, and career goals.
Rigorous. Learning from our world-renown faculty, with small class sizes, our program prepares students to enter the workforce with advanced skills or pursue further studies in a doctoral program.
Research opportunities. Many of our MS students conduct research with faculty at the forefront of their disciplines.
Network. Learn alongside peers destined to be the creative leaders in their fields. Connect with alumni and friends in the industry.
Funding opportunities. Our newly launched Master's for the Future Initiative will offer fellowships and Academic Student Employment opportunities to approximately 60 qualified MS applicants for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.
View all MS degree requirements here
Complete your MS Degree in 9 months!
UC Davis offers two MS Plans:
Professional MS (Plan II: Project/Capstone/Exam). Students pursuing a Professional M.S. (Plan II) can complete their degree in nine months (three quarters) of full-time study, although for students who opt for an Individual Capstone Report experience generally at least 12 months of full-time study is necessary.
Research MS (Plan I: Thesis). Students pursuing a Research-based M.S. (Plan I) typically require 18-24 months of full-time study to complete the program and requires the agreement of a Major Professor to supervise your M.S. Thesis.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) must meet the University of California minimum GPA requirement for admission (3.0 Undergraduate Cumulative GPA). Other requirements for admission include:
- A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution;
- Three letters of recommendation;
- Official Transcripts with translation, if needed;
- TOEFL or IELTS: English proficiency examination for international applicants who have not studied at an institution where the language of instruction was in English. International applicants must meet minimum score requirement in the Graduate Studies Policy on the Implementation of Admission Requirements and Exceptions.
- The GRE is NOT required or accepted as part of our admissions
The priority deadline, fellowship deadline, general deadline, and space available deadline are all posted online, and updated each year on our page here. Applicants are encouraged to aim for the priority deadline. Admissions decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
NEW Funding Opportunity: Master's for the Future Initiative
Professional engineers with MS degrees are leading transformational efforts across all areas of Civil & Environmental Engineering. To support the next-generation of MS-trained engineers the MFI provides fellowships and Academic Student Employment opportunities to qualified MS applicants. For AY24-25 approximately 60 MFI awards will be offered. All prospective students who apply before the priority deadline (Dec. 15) will be considered for an MFI award, and prospective students who apply by the General Deadline (Feb. 1) will be considered as funding allows.
Application Fee Wavier and Fellowships
PhD Applicants are especially encouraged to review the Graduate Preparation programs Fee Waiver. CEE also offers Fee Fellowships to students from the CSU and UC Systems.