Structural Engineering is a Civil Engineering discipline which emphasizes analytical and experimental studies of the behavior of structures (e.g., buildings, bridges, and dams) under service loads (e.g., traffic) and environmental loads (e.g., wind and earthquake). Emphasis is placed on response predictions or computations for these structures and their constituent materials (e.g., steel, reinforced concrete, and composites). Study is made of the nature of these loadings, both static and dynamic, with implications being drawn for design.
International Students: This program is eligible for the OPT STEM extension.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
| Spring | September 1 (extended to October 1) |
| Fall | December 15 (Scholarship consideration)
January 15 (Final deadline) |
Visit our Ready to Apply page for more information
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants to the master's of science programs in Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering are required to have a bachelor’s degree or be in the process of completing a bachelor's degree. Degrees in any engineering or engineering-related disciplines are frequently represented among our program applicants, including but not limited to the following:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
Applicants without a Bachelor’s degree in the preferred majors listed above will only be considered with coursework and demonstrated proficiency in the acceptable courses listed below (or equivalent).
|
| Engineering |
| Structural Design |
Applications are reviewed holistically; simply taking these courses does not guarantee admission.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The following materials are required to be included with your online application:
- Transcripts
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement
- Letter of Recommendation (2 required)
NOTE: The GRE is not required for 2026 applications.
The following link will take you to an overview of the tuition & fees for graduate engineering students, including payment information. Both on-campus and DEN@Viterbi students pay the same tuition
TUITION AND FEES OVERVIEW
Use the link below to download the Cost of Attendance to see a summary of tuition and fees by semester. The document is a typical example and the number of courses, and time to complete the program, will vary by student.
Estimated Cost of Attendance - 28 Unit Program
2024 First Destinations Survey - Outcomes*
Alumni Employment - 2024*
Companies & Job Titles (multiple positions may be listed)
Average Reported Salary: $81,300
- DLR Group - Structural Designer
- HSA & Associates, Inc. - Structural Engineer
- Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. - Structural Analyst
- KPFF - Structural Design Engineer
- Mott MacDonald - Engineer II - Structural
- Walter P. Moore - Graduate Engineer 1
- WSP USA - Assistant Consultant, Structural Engineering / Graduate Structural Engineer
Previous Years
- Brandow and Johnston - Design and Structural Engineer
- HSA & Associates, Inc. - Structural Engineer
.Internships (Previous Years)**
Aperture LLC; Barry & Wynn Architects, Inc.; Condon Johnson & Associates; Corgan Associates; DPR Construction; Mark G. Anderson Consultants, Inc.; Nebraska Department of Transportation; Structural Focus; Tipping Structural; San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency; VINCI Construction LLC; W.E. O'Neil; Walter P. Moore and Associates, Inc.; West Power Energy; WSP USA Inc.
.
* Information is based on a voluntary survey and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive view of the 2024 graduating class.
** Internship data is from CPT internships done by our international student population.
This program is also available online to professional engineers through DEN@Viterbi. Because the DEN@Viterbi program provides a fully equivalent academic experience, the degree a USC engineering student earns is the same whether they are on-campus or online.
If you are interested in beginning classes as a DEN@Viterbi student next semester, explore the requirements and steps to enrolling as a Limited Status Student.
Learn More About DEN@Viterbi
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes
DEN@VITERBI ONLINE COURSE OFFERINGS
The following courses and program requirements serve as program planning for DEN@Viterbi students. Course offerings and availability are subject to change. Please consult with advisor if you have any questions.
At least two-thirds of coursework applied to degree must be at the 500-level or higher.
Required Courses
|
| All courses are required - 12 units total. |
| CE 507 | Advanced Mechanics (4 units) |
| CE 531 | Quantifying Uncertainty in Civil and Environmental Engineering (2 units) |
| CE 532 | Data Analytics in Engineering (2 units) |
| CE 541 | Dynamics of Structures (4 units) |
| Elective Courses |
The program offers a wide range of elective courses. If you are interested in the subfield of mechanics, design, or data science and forensic engineering, it is recommended to choose electives from those areas. If you would prefer a more diverse study, freely select any courses from the lists.
- 16 units total. Electives are listed below by subfield. |
| Mechanics Electives |
| CE 529 | Finite Element Analysis (4 units) |
| CE 543 | Structural Instability & Failure (4 units) |
| CE 546 | Structural Mechanics of Composite Materials (2 units) |
| Design Electives |
| CE 529 | Finite Element Analysis (4 units) |
| CE 533 | Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (4 units) |
| CE 537 | Advanced Reinforced Concrete (4 units) |
| CE 539 | Advanced Steel Structures (4 units) |
| Data Science and Forensic Engineering Electives |
| CE 529 | Finite Element Analysis (4 units) |
| CE 543 | Structural Instability & Failure (4 units) |
Please complete the following form for more information.
