KU Edwards Campus to Offer Master's Degree in Civil Engineering

Offered by KU’s School of Engineering, High-Demand Degree Ranks Among Top 10 for Job Placements

(Overland Park, Kan.) – The Kansas City area is home to a number of the top 20 U.S. engineering and architecture firms, which have roughly 10,000 area employees. Starting this fall, the local workforce has access to a Master of Civil Engineering (M.C.E.) at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park.

The new master’s degree in civil engineering program focuses on structural engineering and prepares students for roles that require technical expertise, project management and leadership skills. According to Forbes.com, civil engineering is among the top 10 best master’s degrees for jobs. It is also one of the top 10 degrees in highest demand according to The National Center for Education Statistics Postsecondary Education Data Systems.

“I am pleased that the University of Kansas Edwards Campus is adding the master’s of civil engineering,” said Dr. David Darwin, professor and chair of KU Department of Civil Engineering. “This program will allow students to advance their education in a high-demand field while remaining close to the innovative hub that is Kansas City.”

“We continually watch economic forecasts and work with local employers to ensure we’re providing relevant academic and ongoing educational offerings to the Kansas City workforce,” said Dr. David Cook, vice chancellor, KU Edwards Campus. “An M.C.E. is a professional investment that should provide a good return in the future.”

The M.C.E. is supported by the Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT). JCERT is a Johnson County initiative enhancing the economic future of the area by generating funds for academic, research and business endeavors.

About The University of Kansas Edwards Campus
The KU Edwards Campus Overland Park brings high-quality academic programs, research and public-service benefits of KU to the Greater Kansas City community in order to serve the workforce, economic and community development needs of the region.

About Johnson County Education Research Triangle
Johnson County Education Research Triangle was created in 2008 when voters supported a 1/8-cent JCERT sales tax. Today, the tax generates more than $15 million annually to advance academic, research and business endeavors at its partner organizations: the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park; the K-State Innovation Campus in Olathe; and the University of Kansas Clinical Research Center in Fairway. JCERT is expected to deliver more than $1.4 billion in economic impact this generation.