In addition, the candidate must have acquired the ability to express thoughts clearly and forcefully in both oral and written languages. The degree is not granted solely for the completion of coursework, residence and technical requirements, although these must be met.

The civil engineering master's program within the department has 8 areas of specialty that a student can focus on. Each area covers a different aspect of civil engineering that can be found in today's society. The first area, general civil engineering, is for the student who wants a wide scope of civil engineering education when graduating without a specific focus in any one area.