UWM offers new certificate to help professional engineers advance in careers

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s College of Engineering & Applied Science is offering a new graduate certificate for working civil and environmental engineers with undergraduate degrees.

The certificate is geared toward students who are interested in continuing their education but not yet ready to commit to a master’s program, said Rani Elhajjar, associate professor and chair of UWM’s Department of Civil Engineering.

“It is intended to help advance careers, broaden professional opportunities and increase salaries,” Elhajjar said.

The 15-credit graduate certificate in Professional Practice in Civil Engineering Infrastructure can be pursued on a flexible part-time or full-time basis. No GRE graduate school entry exam is required, and up to 90% of credits count toward a master’s degree, putting certificate holders at the halfway point to earning a MS in Civil Engineering.

“It is exciting to see the high level of interest in this new certificate from both individuals and local industry who are looking to support their employees and further their professional development,” Elhajjar said.

Students design a program that fits their schedules

Students work with an advisor to design a program tailored to their schedule and needs. Options include taking courses in the evening, completing all courses online, and a hybrid in which students take some courses online, some in person.

This five-course graduate-level program will allow a student to broaden and strengthen knowledge in the areas of engineering mechanics or environmental, geotechnical, structures, transportation, or water resource engineering by learning the most up-to-date engineering theory and techniques taught by UWM’s renowned faculty.

Elhajjar adds that the certificate includes licensure preparation that addresses the gap between the curriculum completed at the undergraduate level and the required knowledge required in licensure in civil engineering. “It’s a great way to prepare for licensure exams,” he said.

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