MS in Civil Engineering : Environmental Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Lehigh University

Program Overview

The M.S. in Civil Engineering with an Environmental Engineering focus at Lehigh University allows students to develop advanced expertise in environmental systems while building on the wider foundations of civil engineering. Students can shape their studies around environmental engineering topics, supported by faculty guidance, interdisciplinary coursework and research opportunities addressing water quality, contaminated environments and sustainable engineering solutions.

Curriculum Structure

Lehigh does not publish a fixed year-wise course sequence for this flexible master's programme. Students complete 30 graduate credits, including at least 18 credits of Civil and Environmental Engineering courses, and select their course plan with an academic adviser. The following is an illustrative progression, not a prescribed sequence.

Year 1: Students establish advanced knowledge in environmental engineering and related sciences, selecting graduate courses relevant to water resources, environmental chemistry, biological processes and waste management. Interdisciplinary options may include subjects from chemistry, chemical engineering, biology, materials science and Earth and environmental sciences.

Year 2: Students deepen their environmental specialisation through advanced electives and one of three completion pathways: a research thesis, an independent project or coursework-only study. The thesis option involves original research, while the project pathway focuses on independent research or design work and engineering analysis.

Focus Areas: Environmental engineering, water quality, water resources, environmental chemistry, waste management, biological processes, contaminated-site remediation, sustainable environmental processes and environmental systems.

Learning Outcomes: Students develop the ability to analyse environmental engineering problems, apply scientific and engineering principles, evaluate environmental systems, conduct research or independent design work, interpret technical data and develop sustainable solutions.

Professional Alignment/Accreditation: The programme page does not identify a separate professional accreditation for this master's degree.

Reputation and Employability: Lehigh reports a 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio for its M.S. in Civil Engineering and identifies its Civil and Environmental Engineering department among the top 10 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities for civil engineering. The university also reports an average starting salary of US$100,000 for Class of 2025 master's graduates across the Rossin College; this is not specific to the Environmental Engineering focus

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Lehigh University emphasises research-based and applied learning across its Civil and Environmental Engineering graduate programmes. Students can work with faculty on environmental challenges involving clean water, pollution control, contaminated environments, waste treatment and sustainable technologies. The department's interdisciplinary approach also allows students to connect environmental engineering with chemistry, biology, materials science, chemical engineering and Earth sciences.

Practical Learning and Research Opportunities:

Environmental Laboratory Research: Students can engage in laboratory investigations using analytical instruments and experimental equipment to study chemical, physical and microbiological environmental systems.
Water Treatment Technologies: Research opportunities include developing and evaluating technologies for drinking-water treatment, wastewater treatment, water reuse and the removal of contaminants.
Environmental Chemistry and Separation Processes: Students can explore ion exchange, adsorption, membrane processes, environmental separation and the detection and removal of toxic metals.
Environmental Microbiology: Research includes studying environmental microorganisms, microbial activity, waterborne pathogens, pathogen detection and watershed protection.
Contaminated-Site Remediation: Students can investigate the movement and treatment of contaminants in soil and groundwater, including research involving subsurface transport and biodegradation.
Air Pollution Control: Faculty research includes biomaterials and technologies designed to prevent or treat air pollution, along with industrial waste reclamation and resource recovery.
Interdisciplinary Research: Students can collaborate with faculty and researchers in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, biology, Earth and environmental sciences, and economics.
Industry-Supported Research: Environmental engineering projects receive support from federal agencies, state organisations, nonprofit research consortia and private industries. Students may participate in research involving industry collaborators and national laboratories.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Civil Engineering with an Environmental Engineering focus prepares graduates to address technical challenges involving environmental protection, water quality, pollution management and sustainable infrastructure. Through advanced coursework, research and interdisciplinary study, students develop the analytical and problem-solving skills needed to contribute to engineering projects in consulting firms, environmental organisations, government agencies and research institutions. The programme's flexible structure also allows students to develop specialist expertise aligned with their professional interests.

Career Opportunities:

Environmental Engineer: Develop engineering solutions for pollution prevention, environmental protection, water treatment and waste management.
Water Treatment Engineer: Design and evaluate systems for drinking-water purification, contaminant removal and sustainable water treatment.
Wastewater Engineer: Work on wastewater collection, treatment processes, reuse systems and environmental discharge management.

Potential Employment Sectors: Graduates can pursue opportunities in environmental engineering consultancies, water and wastewater treatment companies, environmental technology firms, industrial manufacturing, government agencies, research laboratories, infrastructure organisations and sustainability-focused businesses.

Industry and Research Exposure: Lehigh's environmental engineering faculty undertake research addressing practical environmental challenges, including waterborne pathogens, toxic-metal removal, water treatment, air pollution control, industrial waste reclamation and contaminated-site management. Research projects receive support from government organisations, nonprofit research consortia and private industries, creating opportunities for graduate students to engage with problems relevant to professional engineering practice.

Professional Development: The department provides an individualised graduate learning environment, supported by a reported 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio for the master's programme. Graduate students can also pursue research or teaching assistantships, subject to availability and selection, which may provide financial support alongside valuable research, teaching and professional experience.

Career Outlook: Lehigh reports an average starting salary of US$100,000 for Class of 2025 master's graduates across the Rossin College. This figure is college-wide and should not be treated as a salary guarantee or as a programme-specific Environmental Engineering outcome.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates may pursue a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering or related disciplines, with research interests in water and wastewater treatment, environmental microbiology, contaminant transport, pollution control, environmental chemistry and sustainable technologies. Lehigh offers a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, providing a pathway for students interested in advanced research, university teaching and specialist technical leadership. Students who complete a thesis-based master's can build on their research experience through doctoral study, while those completing a project or coursework pathway may also apply, subject to doctoral admission requirements.