As the job markets are becoming more competitive, many students are pursuing masters degrees to improve their professional value. Individuals who enroll in advanced programs can acquire a wide range of knowledge about the field and explore developing trends that weren't part of their undergraduate curricula.
The National Science Foundation gave Ron Andrus, associate professor of civil engineering and graduate program coordinator at Clemson University, $700,000 to fund a masters degree in science at the school, according to IndependentMail.com. The three-year grant will cover the expenses of two masters classes and provide students with tuition waivers and stipends.
Andrus has created the 18-month degree program, which will educate students on infrastructure elements, ranging from engineering to public policy, the news source reports. Working with government agencies and the role of civil engineers in developing research will also be emphasized.
This program is designed to benefit students who are underrepresented in this field, including women and African Americans.
The goal of this initiative is to "produce graduates with a unique holistic perspective and expertise to immediately contribute to the workforce in sustainable and resilient infrastructure," Andrus told the news provider.
In 2008, civil engineers held approximately 278,400 jobs, and earned an the average annual salary of $78,560, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
