Environmental engineering student standing by a small waterfall in waders and gloves collecting water sample.

Tomorrow Needs You. Are You Ready?

Receive a graduate education from an accredited institution.

Environmental Engineering—MS

It's easy to say we should preserve the environment and make the best use of our resources, but before anything else, we have to understand the processes going on around us. Here at Tech, we find the answers to today’s problems—preparing us to solve tomorrow’s problems. That’s how you get a better environment for everyone. Are you ready?

Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Overview

With our master's program in environmental engineering you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how human systems impact the natural environment and how to engineer systems to protect human health and ecosystems. Sustainability is integrated throughout the curriculum.

Delivery Options
- Accelerated: MS
- On-Campus: MS

Environmental Engineering Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the environmental engineering program at Michigan Tech. For international students, Environmental Engineering is a designated STEM program.

On-Campus Programs

MS, Environmental Engineering: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Environmental Engineering: Report Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in twelve months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Environmental Engineering: Coursework Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate School. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Accelerated MS, Environmental Engineering

Bachelor's + 1 Year = Master's Degree

Our accelerated master's degree program is a faster, easier way for Michigan Tech students to earn a master's degree. Up to nine approved credits from your bachelor's degree can be applied towards your accelerated master's degree. Consult your graduate program director for your individualized plan. If you're thinking about pursuing a master's following your bachelor's this option may be the right choice for you.

Additional Accelerated Master's Program Details

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about environmental engineering at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

Kiran Udayakumar, Environmental Engineering Master's Graduate

Engineers Monitor the Great Lakes

Contact

Graduate Director

Qingli Dai

Graduate Assistant

Angela Keranen

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your environmental engineering MS. Sample areas include:

Air Quality
Subsurface Remediation
Surface Water Quality
Water Resources

View full listing for this program

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts or test scores are needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps. International applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $10 processing fee per application.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Admissions Options

Michigan Tech offers several admissions options in order to meet the educational needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. Students should review the options available to them and apply for the program that will best help them achieve their personal educational goals.

See Admissions Options

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Program Specific

2 Letters of Recommendation
Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
GRE not required
No Additional Documents Accepted

International Students

TOEFL: Recommended Score of 100 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Overall Band Score of 7.0

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 79 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Recommended Deadlines

Fall Semester: January 15
Spring Semester: September 15
Summer Semester: February 15

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Accelerated Master's Requirements

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Specific

Overall GPA of 3.0 or greater
No GRE required
Completed course plan

Eligible Undergraduate Majors

All majors upon program approval

The CEGE Accelerated MS Course Plan form is required for students pursuing an accelerated MS degree from the department of civil, environmental, and geospatial engineering.

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

Who You'll Work With

Our expert faculty have made our graduate program one of the best in the nation. You may collaborate with faculty in biological sciences, chemistry, forestry, math, physics, material science, geological engineering and sciences, chemical and mechanical engineering, and environmental policy to help get the entire picture.

Where You'll Work

Graduate students have access to more than 43,000 square feet of research and teaching labs with state-of-the-art equipment for drinking water and wastewater treatment, organic and inorganic contaminant characterization, air- and water-quality monitoring, and sediment analysis. Lab spaces provide space from small-scale batch studies to large-scale simulations. Your research may take you from Florida to Alaska, from Central America to Greenland.

Faculty Spotlight

Eric Seagren

Eric Seagren
Professor, Civil and
Environmental Engineering

"Inspired by the challenge of harnessing naturally-occurring microbial processes to solve environmental problems."

Seagren applies environmental microbiology and engineering tools to investigate and solve challenges including biological wastewater treatment, bioremediation of contaminated subsurface environments, treatment of urban storm water runoff, and the improvement of the engineering properties of soils.

Program Faculty