Graduate Student Admissions Information

MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.) AND MASTER OF ENGINEERING (M.E.) DEGREES

Students with Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in Civil Engineering are eligible to enter the M.S. or M.E. degree programs. The M.E. degree is only available to students with B.S. degrees in engineering. Students with engineering degrees in areas other than civil engineering may be required to complete deficiency/prerequisite undergraduate courses. Outstanding students with non-engineering baccalaureate degrees may qualify for admission to the M.S. degree program, with the understanding that they must take specified deficiency/prerequisite courses. As a minimum, the following deficiency/prerequisite courses or equivalent will be required: MATH 141, 142 and 242; CHEM 111; PHYS 211 and 212; ECIV 200; ECIV 301; STAT 509. Students will also be required to take all undergraduate courses that are listed as prerequisites for courses taken for graduate credit. In general, deficiency/prerequisite courses must be completed with a B average. Specific Program Areas (Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Water Resources Engineering) may require additional course work.

An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, and 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on any graduate course work is required for students wishing to enter the M.S. or M.E. degree programs with B.S. degrees in engineering. Exceptions to the minimum undergraduate GPA requirements for admission to the M.S. and M.E. degree programs may be made for students with special qualifications.

For students with non-engineering baccalaureate degrees, or engineering degrees from programs not accredited by ABET, the minimum grade requirement is a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on their undergraduate coursework, and 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on any graduate course work.

The general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all students requesting financial aid, students with non-engineering baccalaureate degrees, or students with engineering degrees from programs not accredited by ABET. Typically, successful applicants have combined scores of at least 1100 on the Verbal and Quantitative (V + Q) sections, and 500 on the Analytical (A) section or 3.5 on the Analytical Writing section.

International students must obtain a minimum score of 570 (paper-based) or 230 (computer-based) on the TOEFL exam. In addition, students whose native language is not English are required to take a diagnostic test in English when they arrive at the University. Students with deficiencies are provided an opportunity for further study in reading, writing and speaking English.

A combined B.S./M.S. or B.S/M.E. degree program is available to undergraduate Civil and Environmental Engineering students with GPAs of 3.5 or above and 90 or more hours earned toward their baccalaureate degrees. Up to six credit hours of 500-level or above courses may be applied toward both the B.S. and M.S. or M.E. in Civil and Environmental Engineering degree requirements. The approval of the student’s advisor and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Director are required. Questions about this program may be directed to the Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Director.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.) DEGREE

Students should have the equivalent of an M.E. or M.S. degree in civil engineering or closely related engineering field. Exceptional students may be eligible to enter directly the Ph.D. degree program with a B.S. degree in civil engineering or closely related engineering field. Applicants must exceed the minimum grade and test score requirements for admission to the Master’s degree programs (refer to the M.S. and M.E. eligibility requirements listed above). Outstanding students with non-engineering baccalaureate degrees may qualify for admission to the Ph.D. degree program, with the understanding that they must complete specified deficiency/prerequisite courses.