Master of Civil Engineering
Program Coordinator: Linda Ratsep
Medicine, law, architecture, accounting, pharmacy – all professions that require education in excess of four years, whether by a separate “Professional School” or by simply requiring more than four years to obtain an undergraduate degree. Much discussion has occurred lately in the engineering community concerning the “status” of the profession in the eyes of the public. Concerns over compensation, loss of respect from society in general, and the increasing trend toward viewing engineers as a commodity instead of as valued and skilled professionals has prompted some to take a hard look at the current educational system. Many engineers agree that, in light of the explosive growth of technology, the steady decrease in the number of credits required for an undergraduate engineering degree (from an average of 150 semester hours in 1950 to 133 today), and the loss of influence and control in the worlds of finance and politics (both critical to successfully solving the world’s problems through engineering), the skill set provided by a four year education is no longer adequate.
In light of these problems, the Board of Directors of the American Society of Civil Engineers unanimously adopted Policy 465 in 2001:
“The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports the concept of the Master’s degree or Equivalent as a prerequisite for licensure and the practice of civil engineering at a professional level."
ASCE encourages institutions of higher education, governmental units, employers, civil engineers, and other appropriate organizations to endorse, support, and promote the concept of mandatory post-baccalaureate education for the practice of civil engineering at a professional level. The implementation of this effort should occur through establishing appropriate curricula in the formal education experience, appropriate recognition and compensation in the workplace, and congruent standards for licensure.”
Norwich University saw ASCE’s Policy 465 as an opportunity to create a graduate program unlike any other. The Master of Civil Engineering program stresses the fundamental skills needed for success by tomorrow’s civil engineer. These skills include not only technical competency in your field of expertise but also the broad range of communication and management skills needed in the highly entrepreneurial business environment that comprises our profession.
Mission
- Prepare students to excel in civil engineering and related fields.
- Make clear to students that above all else, the civil engineering profession is committed to bettering the world.
- Provide modern, fundamental, practice-orientated education in the civil engineering field.
- Foster creativity and critical thinking in problem solving and motivate students to consider the societal consequences of their work.
- Enable students to be leaders in their profession, community, and the nation
Program Outcomes
- Students assess, formulate, and innovate to solve complex and multidisciplinary real-world engineering problems by applying knowledge of engineering fundamentals, mathematics, natural and social sciences, humanities, and technology.
- Students develop, build, and lead professional teams to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary work environments.
- Students implement and apply effective verbal and written communications with technical and non-technical audiences.
- Students anticipate and understand responsibilities of practicing engineers with respect to global, environmental, societal, and ethical contexts of their work.