Graduate Programs
Admission Requirements
An undergraduate degree in engineering or related disciplines with a "B" average from an accredited college or university is generally required for graduate study in civil, environmental and ocean engineering. It is required that any applicants requesting assistantship appointments, and applicants to the Ph.D. program, provide GRE scores as well as evidence of ability to carry out independent work. Examples of such evidence include a description of master's degree thesis work, and/or completed work-related projects. GRE scores are not otherwise required but may be submitted in support of the application. International students must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language prior to admission by scoring at least 550 on the TOEFL examination. Applications for admission from qualified students are accepted at any time.

The Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering offers graduate programs leading to degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Engineering, Master of  Science, and Civil Engineer, as well as Certificates in a variety of areas.

Doctoral Program
The program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree is designed to develop your capability to perform research or high-level design in civil, environmental or ocean engineering. Admission to the doctoral program is made through the departmental graduate admissions committee, based on review of your scholastic record. A master's degree is required before a student is admitted to the doctoral program. Your master's level academic performance must reflect your capability to pursue advanced studies and perform independent research.

Ninety credits of graduate work in an approved program of study beyond the bachelor's degree are required for completion of the doctoral program. Up to 30 credits obtained in a master's program can be included in this program. Of the remaining 60 credits, 15 to 30 credit hours of course work as well as 30 to 45 credit hours of dissertation work are required.

Within two years from time of admission, you must take a written qualifying examination that is intended to test your comprehension of undergraduate and master's level engineering fundamentals and mathematics. Upon satisfactory performance in the qualifying examination, and completion of the required course work, you must take an oral preliminary examination. This examination is primarily intended to evaluate your aptitude for advanced research and examine your understanding of the subjects associated specifically with your dissertation topics. Upon satisfactory completion of the preliminary examination and all course work, you will become a doctoral candidate and start your dissertation research.

Doctoral research work must be based on an original investigation and the results must make a significant, state-of-the-art contribution to the field, and must be worthy of publication in current professional literature. At the completion of the research, you must defend your thesis in a public presentation.

Master's Programs
The Master of Engineering and Master of Science degrees are offered with programs in civil, environmental and ocean engineering. The programs normally require 30 credit hours of course work. A thesis is optional and may be substituted for five to 10 credit hours of course work. The thesis option is strongly recommended for full-time students, those receiving financial support, or those planning to pursue doctoral studies.

Civil Engineer Degree
To be qualified to enter the civil engineer degree program, a student must have completed a master's degree in engineering. The degree candidate must also demonstrate professional competence by having at least two years of responsible industrial experience in one of the areas of civil engineering. The industrial experience is to be completed prior to entering the program or in the process of being satisfied upon entering the program. Thirty credits beyond the master's degree are required for the degree of civil engineer. Eight to 15 of those credits must be on a design project. You will be assigned an advisor who will help you develop a study plan and who will supervise your design project. The study plan, which should include details of the professional experience and of the design project, must be submitted to the departmental committee on the civil engineer degree for approval. Upon completion of the design project, you will submit a written report to the departmental committee for approval, and you will be required to take an oral examination on the substance of the design project.

Graduate Certificate Programs
The department offers the following programs leading to Graduate Certificates. Students need to meet regular admissions requirements for the master's program and complete the courses listed below. The courses may also be used toward the Master degree.