The MS in Civil Engineering (General Option) offers a broad education covering several specialty areas of Civil Engineering.
International Students: This program is eligible for the OPT STEM extension.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
| Spring | September 15 |
| Fall | December 15 (Scholarship consideration)
January 15 (Final deadline) |
Visit our Ready to Apply page for more information
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants to the Master of Science program in Civil Engineering must have a bachelor’s degree or be in the process of completing a bachelor's degree. Most applicants have degrees in engineering or closely related fields, such as Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and Engineering Mechanics.
Applicants without a bachelor's degree in a directly related field may still be considered if they have completed and demonstrated strong proficiency in the following coursework (or equivalent):
This is not an exhaustive list. 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
AISHWARYA SAMBASIVAN IYER
Tell us a little bit about yourself — where are you from; where did you study before coming to USC?
I’m from India — I was born in Mumbai but grew up in different cities. I traveled a lot owing to the nature of my dad’s job, so I grew up in a few underdeveloped areas. So as I was growing up, I thought I would like to build things for such areas. I wanted to develop better infrastructure, and that is something that was lacking in those areas back then. That’s what drove me to be an engineer.
During your time at USC, what were some of the notable classes, projects, or experiences you had?
Personally, I would say it was an overwhelming mix of emotions at first. Being away from home for the first time, coping with homesickness, adjusting to a new culture — it all turned out to be extremely good. I made a lot of good friends, I loved the subjects I was studying, the professors, and classes. Since most of my friends consisted of international students, I found a sense of community — professors were very supportive and understanding that English was not our first language and we had learned some different methodologies in our learning backgrounds. It all helped for a very smooth transition. Some memorable moments: all those nights at Leavey Library, working the graveyard shift until 7 a.m., finishing a project, going to the Trojan Grounds Starbucks at 3 a.m. There is one incident that definitely left an impression on me — I almost drowned while trying to learn how to surf at Venice Beach. That is something I’ll never forget!
What is a piece of advice you’d give to an incoming student?
Enjoy what you do. If you step back and just examine what you like, you’ll find what you truly want to do and what you can be successful at. Go out there and meet new people, make new friends, and make new connections. They are helpful and help you learn more about yourself and your passions.
2025 First Destinations Survey - Outcomes*
Alumni Employment - 2025*
Companies & Job Titles (multiple positions may be listed)
Average Reported Salary: None Submitted
- Own Venture - None Listed
- Daily Trojan - Photographer
- EPD Solutions, Inc. - Civil Engineer
- Independent Petroleum Group of Kuwait Limited (IPG) - Oil Marketing
Previous Years
* Information is based on a voluntary survey and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive view of the 2025 graduating class.
** Internship data is from CPT internships done by our international student population.
This program is not available via DEN@Viterbi.
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