kuchenrither

Reed Winter — remote student

Anonymous — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 22:33:52 +0000

Reed Winter — remote student Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/20/2023 - 15:33

Susan Glairon

In fall 2022, Reed Winter began his journey to deepen his skills in water resource management. Living in Vermont and working for a small water resource firm, Winter chose CU �ֲ��ý’s professional Master of Science degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in Water Engineering & Management (WEM) to enhance his engineering skills. Opting for the program’s fully online format, he also seized the opportunity for professional growth with support from his employer, who invested in his education.

“I wanted to become a better engineer,” said Winter, who has a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering.

With classes offered in the evenings and asynchronously, Winter is able to seamlessly participate in the program while working full-time, he said. In the upcoming semester he plans to align his coursework with his professional responsibilities, specifically by enrolling in classes focused on wastewater and drinking water treatment.

“It’s been a good experience,” Winter said. “All the professors have been great. It's given me the confidence and knowledge to tackle new things at work.”

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Meg Parker — traditional student

Anonymous — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:30:10 +0000

Meg Parker — traditional student Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/20/2023 - 14:30

Susan Glairon

While working at a water nonprofit, Meg Parker found her passion for engineering and decided to pursue a master's degree.

Parker, armed with a BS degree in environmental science from Cornell University, discovered the perfect match in CU �ֲ��ý’s professional Master of Science degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in Water Engineering & Management (WE&M).

Motivated by its water and engineering focus coupled with the opportunity to prepare for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam — the first step towards achieving professional engineering licensure in the United States — Parker obtained her MS in civil engineering through CU �ֲ��ý's WE&M PMP program in December 2019.

“It checked all my boxes,” said Parker, who added she completed the program in a year and a half and then immediately launched her engineering career.

Parker described the industry professional speakers as “phenomenal” and said they played a pivotal role in her securing an engineering position in a wastewater utility.

“I really can’t speak highly enough about Professor (Richard) Kuchenrither and the program,” said Parker, who still connects with Kuchenrither and some of the professional speakers through industry events. “It was the perfect opportunity.”

Parker spent 3.5 years post-graduation working for a wastewater utility. This past summer she transitioned to an engineering role at Carollo, a water engineering firm in Denver.

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John McCarl — balancing work, online and in-person classes

Anonymous — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:01:56 +0000

John McCarl — balancing work, online and in-person classes Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/20/2023 - 14:01

Susan Glairon

While living in California during a drought, John McCarl decided to shift his career from the defense industry to water resource engineering. McCarl says living in the West heightened his awareness of the “critical significance of water.”

“I wanted to be part of the solution,” said McCarl, who holds an undergraduate degree in industrial and systems engineering.

To achieve his goals, McCarl enrolled in CU �ֲ��ý’s professional Master of Science degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in Water Engineering & Management (WE&M).

McCarl said he successfully juggled full-time work with the online program, and later adopted a hybrid (online and in-person class) approach after he moved to South Denver, allowing him to interact in person with fellow students and professors.

McCarl now works for Hazen and Sawyer engineering and consulting firm, designing water treatment facilities.

“What sets this program apart are its strong industry connections,” McCarl said.” It helped me expand my professional network, introduced me to new contacts and paved the way for internships and future job opportunities.”

McCarl said the program's network of professional engineer instructors and their recommendations played a crucial role in securing his initial job. The instructors also provided "tips, tricks and guidance" which proved invaluable during the the certification exams for his Professional Engineer license.

“I managed to continue working while earning my master’s degree, enjoying the best of both worlds," he said.

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Earn a professional MS in civil engineering with the Water Engineering & Management Program—designed for working professionals

Anonymous — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 20:11:08 +0000

Earn a professional MS in civil engineering with the Water Engineering & Management Program—designed for working professionals Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/20/2023 - 13:11

Susan Glairon

Meet Our Students

Meg Parker — traditional student

Reed Winter — remote student

John McCarl — hybrid (remote/traditional) student

CU �ֲ��ý’s professional Master of Science degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in Water Engineering & Management (WEM) is one of four Professional Master's Programs (PMPs) in CU �ֲ��ý's Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, designed for professionals seeking to enhance their skills.

Tailored for working professionals seeking an MS degree, the WEM program offers distance learners the chance to earn the same graduate degree as those attending in-person classes on the �ֲ��ý campus.

“For every graduate student in �ֲ��ý there are many more young professionals who want a master’s degree,” said Richard D. Kuchenrither who leads the WEM PMP. “But they love their jobs and could have mortgages and families. It's impractical for them to quit their jobs and relocate to �ֲ��ý for an MS degree.”

WEM lectures are primarily delivered by senior water professionals from across the country, bringing extensive practical experience to the classes. This approach allows students to expand their professional network to include CEOs and general managers from major utilities nationwide.

“Young professionals have the unique opportunity to learn from these seasoned experts, which isn't typically available to them at the start of their careers,” Kuchenrither said.

Q & A with Richard D. Kuchenrither

What motivates professionals with established careers to pursue a Professional Master's Program (PMP) degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in Water Engineering & Management ?

A Professional Master's Program degree 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.

How many classes do students typically take?
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.

How long does it typically take to complete 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.

What percentage of students are remote/in-person?
Students are roughly split between distance learners and those attending classes on the �ֲ��ý campus. Among on-campus students, approximately 70 percent are employed full time.

What if a student's goals change midway through the degree?
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.

If a student missed the deadline (typically in early Dec.) for the WEM PMP for next fall, are there other options?
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.

Photo credit for water illustration: EL HOUCEIN OUAKOUZ

CU �ֲ��ý's Professional Master's Program in civil engineering with an emphasis in Water Engineering & Management is tailored for professionals. It offers a remote learning option with connections to senior water professionals nationwide, preparing them for leadership roles in the water industry.

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