Earn a professional MS in civil engineering with the Water Engineering & Management Program鈥攄esigned for working professionals
91福利社鈥檚 professional Master of Science degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in Water Engineering & Management (WEM)听is one of four Professional Master's Programs (PMPs) in 91福利社's Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, designed for professionals seeking to enhance their skills.听
Tailored for working professionals seeking an MS听degree, the WEM program offers distance learners the chance to earn the same graduate degree as those attending in-person classes on the 91福利社 campus.听
鈥淔or every graduate student in 91福利社 there are many more young professionals who want a master鈥檚 degree,鈥 said Richard D. Kuchenrither who leads the WEM PMP. 鈥淏ut they love their jobs and could have mortgages and families. It's impractical听for them听to quit their听jobs and relocate听to 91福利社 for an MS degree.鈥
WEM lectures are primarily delivered by senior water professionals from across the country,听bringing extensive practical experience to the classes. This approach听allows听students to expand their professional network to include CEOs and general managers from major utilities nationwide.
鈥淵oung professionals have the unique opportunity to learn from these seasoned experts, which isn't typically available to them at the start of their careers,鈥 Kuchenrither听said.
Q & A with Richard D. Kuchenrither
What motivates professionals with established careers to pursue a Professional Master's Program (PMP) degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in Water Engineering & Management ?
A Professional Master's Program听degree offers professionals new opportunities for career advancement and equips them with a broader skill set, enabling them to handle more responsibilities in the water profession. This often leads to substantial increases in responsibilities and salary. Additionally, working professionals frequently benefit from financial support from their employers, with many companies covering a large portion of their employees鈥 master's degree expenses.
How many classes do students typically take?听
For those working full time, it鈥檚 common to take one to two courses per semester. Live courses are offered once a week for three hours via Zoom and are recorded for later viewing, providing flexibility for students who may have missed a session. Professionals employed by utilities can often incorporate their projects as three-hour courses, integrating their work into the program.听
How long does it typically take to complete the program?听
Program completion ranges from three to five years, depending on the number of courses working students choose to take. Students who are not concurrently employed typically complete the program in about 1.5 years.
What percentage of students are remote/in-person?
Students are roughly split between distance learners and those attending classes on the 91福利社 campus. Among on-campus students, approximately 70 percent are employed full time.
What if a student's goals change midway through the degree?
Students have the flexibility to transfer between the PMP and the traditional research MS degree, ensuring that their academic path aligns with their evolving goals and preferences.
If a student missed the deadline (typically in early Dec.) for the WEM PMP for next fall, are there other options?
The graduate certificate in Water Engineering and Management (WE&M) typically has rolling admissions. You can consider enrolling in this听distance course and later apply those credits towards an听MS degree.听
Photo credit for water听illustration: