Master of Science in environmental and sustainability engineering
Enhance the well-being of environments, communities and individuals with the master of science in environmental and sustainability engineering at Wayne State University. Our multifaceted approach to environmental engineering and sustainability involves the systems, processes and technologies that influence and rejuvenate the places we live, work, play and explore.
Program highlights
- Wide-ranging research opportunities
- Complete a thesis or choose the non-thesis track
- Apply as a recent college graduate or working professional
- No GRE required for admission
What will you learn in the program?
Advance your understanding of environmental engineering and sustainability with a foundation in biology, chemistry, statistics and water resources, along with elective specialties like sustainability, risk management, air quality engineering, water resources, waste management, environmental remediation and pharmaceutical waste. Develop skills and experience to create measurable impact in four theme areas:
- Systems and resources: Model groundwater, surface water and air quality; engineer systems such as drinking water distribution systems; manage for equitable services that are regulated by interactions between the environment and urban systems (e.g. stormwater management).
- Treatment and sensing technologies: Quantify and manage pollutant loads to the environment.
- Biochemical-physical processes: Examine fundamental processes that control the fate and transport of pollutants, including remediation techniques.
- Environmental exposure and risk: Identify, quantify and reduce risks in environmental systems (air, water, soil).
M.S. in environmental and sustainability engineering program curriculum
Earn your 30-credit master’s in environmental and sustainability engineering under Plan A (thesis track) or Plan C (course only, non-thesis track). Plan A requires at least 24 credit hours of coursework and a six-credit thesis, which prepares you for further study, research and academic opportunities. Plan C is a more industry-focused option, with at least 30 credit hours of coursework, which can include a six-credit internship.
You’ll choose the coursework that most closely aligns with your professional goals. Throughout the program, you’ll develop expertise in systems, treatments, processes and exposure/risk skills for research and applied practice.
Review the master’s in environmental and sustainability engineering curriculum.
Course requirements
To graduate, you must complete the M.S. in environmental and sustainability engineering courses with an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher. All core classes in the program must be completed with a 3.00 score or better, and all coursework must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the College of Engineering.
You must take at least one course from each of the four foundational areas described below. Other courses may satisfy foundational area requirements if approved by the graduate program director.
- Water resources foundational area
- Chemistry foundational area
- Biology foundational area
Course code Course title CE 7280 Applied Environmental Microbiology - Statistics foundational area
- Other civil & environmental engineering course options include:
Course code Course title CE 5230 Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering CE 5410 Energy, Emissions, Environment (E3) Design CE 5510 Geotechnical Engineering I CE 5520 Geotechnical Engineering II CE 5995 Special Topics in Civil Engineering I CE 6170 River Assessment and Restoration I CE 6270 Sustainability Assessment and Management CE 6580 Geoenvironmental Engineering I CE 6910 Pharmaceutical Waste: Environmental Impact and Management CE 7170 Advanced River Assessment and Restoration I CE 7190 Groundwater Modeling CE 7220 Industrial Waste Treatment CE 7240 Advanced Air Pollution Engineering CE 7311 Sustainability of Urban Environmental Systems CE 7500 Engineering Properties of Soils CE 7580 Environmental Remediation CE 7990 Directed Study CE 7995 Special Topics in Civil Engineering II CE 7996 Research CE 8999 Master's Thesis Research and Direction
Construction Management Technology (CMT), Engineering Technology, and/or online courses cannot be used to fulfill credit requirements for the MS in Civil Engineering (MSCE), PhD in Civil Engineering (PhDCE) and MS in Environmental and Sustainability Engineering (MSESE) degrees, unless it is approved by the student’s academic advisor and graduate program director prior to registering for the course.
Renowned faculty and cutting-edge research
Establish your academic credentials among expert faculty who mentor and collaborate with you on cutting-edge research. Leaders in the sustainability master’s program have a broad variety of focus areas:
- Construction and engineering management, researching emerging technologies for construction projects, and risk analysis by data mining and predictive modeling.
- Environmental engineering, with projects studying microplastics in the urban environment and groundwater mapping and modeling.
- Structural engineering, examining the repair of bridge deck fascias and rare earths from U.S. extractions.
- Transportation engineering, considering GIS applications in transit and traffic calming strategies.
Develop and advocate for flourishing environments on community, national and international scales. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental engineers are in steady demand with median annual salaries over $96,800.
Careers with a master’s degree in environmental and sustainability engineering
By earning an M.S. in environmental and sustainability, you’ll find meaningful roles in national and local government, non-government and nonprofit organizations, environmental agencies, and education- and research-focused institutions.
Common job titles include:
- Environmental consultant
- Environmental engineer
- Environmental manager
- Horticulturist
- Nature conservation officer
- Sustainability consultant
Tuition and financial aid
Competitive graduate assistantships and scholarships support your financial well-being and professional growth at Wayne State University. Our master’s in environmental engineering is the most affordable among Michigan’s top research universities.
Learn more about Wayne State’s cost of attendance.
Admission requirements
Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School.
To be considered for admission, you should hold a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in engineering or other qualified science programs with demonstrated use of quantitative analysis, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for regular admission. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Your field and professional experience will be viewed positively in the application review process. The M.S. in environmental engineering is suitable for both recent graduates and experienced professionals with significant mathematics-based science capabilities.
Application deadlines
- Fall (begins in August): July 15
- Winter (begins in January): Nov. 1
- Spring/summer (spring begins in May; summer begins in June): Feb. 1
Learn more about graduate admissions.
Apply to the M.S. in environmental and sustainability engineering program
Launch or advance your career in environmental science and sustainability. Engineer viable solutions to support and improve air, soil and water quality. With Wayne State’s environmental and sustainability engineering master’s degree program, you’ll prepare for impactful professional roles and further academic study.