Water Engineering & Management Specialization

Expand Your Future

Increase your professional opportunities with a master’s in civil engineering with a water engineering and management specialization from the University of Colorado Boulder.

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Broaden your horizons at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ, one of the most respected water engineering and management programs in the nation.

This program is uniquely designed for early and mid-career professionals already working for utilities, consulting firms, government and regulatory agencies. If you’re looking to open up new career opportunities in the water industry, this flexible-format degree will give you the tools you need to solve complex problems and create constructive outcomes.

Boost your career with a certificate in water engineering & management

This 12- to 18-month program is intended for early and mid-career professionals and can be completed on campus or entirely online. Courses focus on leadership, management, communication, finance and governance. Any credits you earn can be applied to various professional master’s programs if you choose to continue your education.

Explore Available Certificates

Start Your Graduate Journey

Fill out this form to learn more about this program.

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Career Outcomes

90% of our students obtain employment within six months of graduation.

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Reputation

#13 civil engineering public graduate program.

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Campus Community

Be part of a challenging but collaborative culture that empowers you to achieve your goals.

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Location

The Denver region offers some of the best opportunities for civil engineers in the U.S.

Company Testimonials

ÌýÌýThis program was extremely valuable and helped me develop my leadership and management skills, financial management of rate setting, workforce development and building a culture of collaboration. I strongly recommend this program for all aspiring utility leaders.ÌýÌý

Calvin Farr Jr., PE
2018 WE&M Graduate, Prince William Water’s General Manager and CEO

ÌýÌýThis program turns everyday engineering theory, data and calculations into practical activities focused on real-life job experiences. I learned from professionals with amazing backgrounds and water sector histories and grew my network of colleagues from across the country and overseas. This was a valuable investment in my professional portfolio.ÌýÌý

Karen L. Pallansch
WE&M Lecturer, CEO of Alexandria Renew Enterprises

How Our Graduates Are Using Their Degrees

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in both the public and private sectors — including positions at leading water, civil and engineering consulting organizations.

Colorado Bureau of Reclamation

Denver Water

Felsburg Holt & Ullevig

Flatiron Dragados

JVA Consulting Engineers

Kiewit

Kimley-Horn

Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers

Metro Water Recovery

Muller Engineering Company Inc.

PAE Consulting Engineers

Westwood Professional Services

Program At A Glance

Designed for professionals already working in water management

Focus on research, coursework or a thesis

Take classes on-campus or online

Study full- or part-time as your schedule permits

Spring and fall admissions available

30 credits required to graduate

Not sure if this path is right for you? Contact our lead graduate advisor, Deanne Sylvester, to discuss your career goals and determine the best fit.

Explore Some of the Amazing Things You’ll Learn

Our professional master’s is designed to help working professionals advance their careers and ultimately move into senior management positions. We utilize a core competencies model that integrates essential features of water industry knowledge, business acumen and leadership development. This program will help you develop your skills in problem solving and strategic thinking; facilitation and communication; financial management and rate setting; ethics and governance; organizational leadership; and more. Depending on your interests, you’ll be able to choose from one of three tracks:

ÌýÌýYou can complete a master’s thesis (24 hours of coursework + 6 hours of thesis credits)

ÌýÌýSkip the thesis and focus exclusively on additional coursework (30 hours of coursework)

ÌýÌýReplace the thesis with focused independent study under the guidance of a faculty member (24 hours of coursework + 6 hours of independent study)

Innovative Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum: You'll also be able to choose from several electives, including engineering economics and system design; small-system water and wastewater treatment; water reuse planning and implementation; environmental politics and policy; and more.Ìý

Water Profession Communication and Utility Finance

This course covers communication techniques and stakeholder considerations, and will also focus on utility finances, including financial statements, financial planning, capital improvement plans and rate setting.

Current Issues and Future Challenges in Water Utility Management

This workshop course focuses on future technology and regulatory challenges, and will teach you effective leadership, communication and ethical skills to meet the various challenges you’ll confront in the workplace.

Leadership and Management in the Water Profession

This course focuses on emotional intelligence, leadership skills and management skills, and will give you the interpersonal communication tools to advance your career.

Certificate Program

A certificate inÌýwater engineering & management involves a shorter time commitment and will empower young professionals to advance their careers in water engineering. This 12- to 18-month program can be completed on campus or online, and will provide you with a solid foundation in core competencies of the water profession.

You’ll take core courses in communications and finance, leadership and management, and study current and future issues confronting water supplies. You’ll also be able to choose from several electives inÌýengineering economics and system design; small-system water and wastewater treatment; water reuse planning and implementation; environmental politics and policy.

Faculty Spotlights

Richard D. Kuchenrither

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Richard D.ÌýKuchenrither, PhD

Lecturer

“A Professional Master's ProgramÌýdegree offers professionals new opportunities for career advancement and equips them with a broader skill set, enabling them to handle more responsibilities in the water profession. This often leads to substantial increases in responsibilities and salary. Additionally, working professionals frequently benefit from financial support from their employers, with many companies covering a large portion of their employees’ master's degree expenses.â€


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Rendering of a modern urban wastewater treatment plant

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Assistant Professor Adjoint and Owner of Cross Water Strategies

Pallansch is a board-certified environmental engineer and registered professional engineer. She is a licensed professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia, holds a Class 1 Wastewater License and is a Water Environment Federation Fellow. She brings over 30 years of experience in the water industry to the classroom.


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Aerial view recirculation solid contact clarifier sedimentation tank, Water treatment solution, Industrial water chemical treatment‎.

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Assistant Professor Adjoint

Involved in the water industry for his entire career, Theermen is presently responsible for leading the utility performance practice at Brown and Caldwell. Utility performance deals with assisting water, wastewater and stormwater utilities in achieving their goals in leadership, asset management, information technology, O&M optimization and many other key areas. With 28 years of management experience at the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Theermen brings in-depth knowledge of wastewater and stormwater operations and maintenance to CU Engineering students.


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Costs & Financial Information

A master's degree from the College of Engineering and Applied Science represents a valuable investment in your career potential. While costs vary by program, residency status and enrollment type, we're committed to transparency in helping you plan for this important step.

Your Investment
  • Tuition structure: Engineering master's programs have different rate structures based on program type, delivery method and course load
  • ROI consideration: Most graduates recoup their educational investment within 2.5 years of completing their degree
  • Flexible options: Many programs offer part-time enrollment, allowing you to distribute costs while maintaining employment
Funding Resources
  • Scholarships and fellowships: Program-specific and college-wide opportunities available
  • Assistantships: Some programs offer research or teaching positions that provide financial support
  • Employer benefits: Many companies provide tuition assistance for job-relevant graduate education
  • Military benefits: Veterans can utilize GI Bill benefits for qualified programs

For detailed, current information about costs specific to your program of interest and payment options, we recommend visiting the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ Bursar's Office.

Learn MoreÌýÌý

Admissions Requirements & Application Information

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, natural sciences or mathematics from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA (work experience and strong recommendations may offset a lower GPA).
  • Students without an engineering degree will be considered on an individual basis but must have completed courses in math, statistics, chemistry and fluid mechanics.
  • Statement of purpose outlining your goals and interests.
  • Four letters of recommendation.
  • Resume/CV highlighting relevant experienceÌý
  • Fall admission: February 1
  • Spring admission: October 1
  • Choose your preferred program and gather the required documents.
  • Submit your online application

Applications are evaluated by faculty and admissions decisions are typically announced within 4-6 weeks.Ìý

  • English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo).
  • Financial documentation for visa purposes.
  • International credential evaluation (if applicable)
  • Current ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ students may be eligible for streamlined application processes.
  • Up to 9 graduate-level credits from another institution may transfer with approval, provided they weren't used toward a previous degree.Ìý

Frequently Asked Questions

A professional master's degree offers professionals new opportunities for career advancement and equips them with a broader skill set, enabling them to handle more responsibilities in their professions. This often leads to substantial increases in responsibilities and salary. Additionally, working professionals frequently benefit from financial support from their employers, with many companies covering a large portion of their employees’ master's degree expenses.

For those working full time, it’s common to take one to two courses per semester. Live courses are offered once a week for three hours via Zoom and are recorded for later viewing, providing flexibility for students who may have missed a session. Professionals employed by utilities can often incorporate their projects as three-hour courses, integrating their work into the program.

Program completion ranges from three to five years, depending on the number of courses working students choose to take. Students who are not concurrently employed typically complete the program in about 1.5 years.

Students are roughly split between distance learners and those attending classes on the Boulder campus. Among on-campus students, approximately 70 percent are employed full time.

Students have the flexibility to transfer between the PMP and the traditional research MS degree, ensuring that their academic path aligns with their evolving goals and preferences.

The graduate certificate in water engineering and management (WE&M) typically has rolling admissions. You can consider enrolling in this distance course and later apply those credits towards an MS degree.

Prerequisites vary depending on the enrollment option above. Generally, it is expected that prospective students will have a bachelor’s degree and an understanding of the water profession.

For acceptance into the professional MS degree, students must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, natural science or mathematics from a college or university of recognized standing and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better.

Students without an engineering degree will be considered on an individual basis but must have completed or successfully complete courses in math, statistics, chemistry and fluid mechanics.

All deficiencies must be completed before a graduate degree is awarded. Additionally, four letters of recommendation from qualified referees and a statement of purpose describing your academic/career goals and interests is required as part of the application process.

Explore Related Programs

If you’re not sure this is the program for you, we offer several related degrees for you to consider:

MS in Environmental Engineering

Begin developing constructive solutions to environmental challenges such as air quality, waste management, climate change, renewable energies and water access, treatment and reusability.

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MS in Environmental Engineering, Global Focus

Build a foundation in environmental engineering processes, water chemistry, applied microbiology and toxicology before diving deeper into issues such as global engineering, household energy and WASH.

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MS in Civil Engineering, Global Resilience & Sustainability Focus

Prepare to tackle issues like global climate change and global health by building your technical skills in remote sensing & geospatial data analytics; analysis and design of hazard-resilient infrastructure; and environmental and development economics.

Learn More

The Rocky Mountain Advantage

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Be part of a collaborative community while studying at one of the nation’s preeminent engineering programs.

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Expand your future and discover what makes us Boulder.

Join an energized, collaborative community where groundbreaking research, expert mentorship and real-world experience unlock limitless possibilities.

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