MS Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University

Programme overview

The MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering is a thesis master's degree. Graduates build a graduate-level foundation in the field, apply advanced principles to technical problems, conduct an independent research program and communicate professionally in writing and speech.

Faculty: George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing | Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering | Duration: Normally two academic years plus the intervening summer | Intake: Fall and Spring | Study mode: full-time | Location: Houston, TX, United States

What you will study

Students complete 30 graduate-level credit hours: at least 24 credit hours of approved Rice graduate courses plus 6 credit hours of thesis research. Civil/structural students take core courses such as structural mechanics and FEM, structural dynamics, earthquake engineering and probabilistic mechanics; environmental students take environmental chemistry, water treatment, hydrology and air quality. The degree ends with a thesis and oral defense.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants pursuing graduate education in civil and environmental engineering or hydrology should have a BS or BA degree in related areas of science and engineering and preparation in mathematics, science, and engineering or related courses. A BS degree in engineering or a degree in natural science is preferred.

Fall 2027 entry; most doctoral programmes close December 1, 2026; professional master's programmes such as MCS, MDS, MME and MChE use rolling or later deadlines (May 1 international, July 1 domestic).

Master's application fee is $85. Mechanical Engineering MME and Chemical Engineering MChE close May 1 (international) and July 1 (domestic) for Fall; Computer Science MCS/MDS close between February 10, 2027 (scholarship consideration) and July 1, 2027.

Explore more study programmes

Engineering