Civil Engineering (Engineering)

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies.

Students in engineering, physical sciences, or mathematics with a 3.00 grade-point average (on a 4.00 scale) may be considered for admission. Exceptions to the minimum 3.00 grade-point average may be made for students with special backgrounds, abilities, and interests. Students without a baccalaureate degree in engineering would be admitted on a provisional basis pending successful completion of entrance requirements (completed concurrently with degree requirements).

Applicants will upload official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, a statement of objectives, and three references for letters of recommendation when applying to the program. Submission of GRE scores is recommended but not required. For the M.Eng. degree, the recommendation for GRE scores is waived for students who have graduated with a degree from the College of Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University with a cumulative grade-point average of greater than 3.30.

The language of instruction at Penn State is English. English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) may be required for international applicants. See GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

M.Eng.: Complete applications including required supplementary materials (e.g., official transcripts, reference letters) should be submitted by June 1st of the calendar year for admission in Fall semester. International students are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications early to allow sufficient time for visa processing.

M.S. and Ph.D.: Complete applications including required supplementary materials (e.g., official transcripts, reference letters) should be submitted by September 15th for admission in Spring semester and by December 15th for admission in Fall semester. International students are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications early to allow sufficient time for visa processing.

Degree Requirements

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)

Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-700 Professional Degree Policies.

The M.Eng. degree is a non-thesis professional master's degree. The program provides training for advanced professional practice. A minimum of 30 credits (400, 500, or 800) of course work is required. At least 18 credits must be earned in 500-level or 800-level courses, with at least 6 credits at the 500 level. At least 12 credits must be earned in courses with the CE prefix. At least 20 credits must be earned at the campus where the program is approved to be offered. All students are required to take the capstone course CE 835 to fulfill the requirement for a culminating experience. For resident students, the M.Eng. degree is designed as a one-year master’s degree program and students are expected to start their degree in the Fall semester. The preferred plan of study for resident students is as follows:

• Fall semester: Fifteen credits of course work
• Spring semester: Fifteen credits of course work, including CE 835

Students entering the resident M.Eng. degree must select and declare an area of specialization, with a number of courses to be selected from the selected area. Students may specialize in:

• Geotechnical and materials engineering
• Structural engineering and mechanics
• Transportation engineering
• Water resources engineering

The M.Eng. degree is also offered online in the Structures area. Credit requirements are the same for online M.Eng. students, with variable time to completion depending on the course enrollment schedule. The plan of study for online M.Eng. students is as follows:

• Required Courses (15 credits)
  • CE 402: Computing Methods for Civil Engineers
  • CE 541: Structural Analysis – FEM
  • CE 544: Design of RC Structures
  • CE 545: Metal Structure Behavior and Design
  • Pick one of the following:
    • WC STAT 500: Applied Statistics
    • WC STAT 501: Regression Methods
    • WC ENGR 501: Engineering Leadership for Corporate Innovation

• Elective Courses (12 credits from department’s approved list of technical electives)
  • CE 543: Prestressed Concrete Behavior and Design
  • CE 548: Structural Design for Dynamic Loads
  • CE 549: Bridge Engineering
  • CE 566: Uncertainty and Reliability in Civil Engineering
  • CE 584: Concrete Materials and Properties

• Culminating Experience (3 credits)
  • CE 835: Integrated Project Management for Civil Engineers

Continuous registration is required for all M.Eng. students until the course requirements have been satisfied, but students may reapply if studies are interrupted per GCAC-514 Continuity of Registration and Resume Study.

Master of Science (M.S.)

Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-600 Research Degree Policies.

The M.S. degree program is strongly oriented toward research. A thesis is required, and at least 6 credits of thesis research (CE 600 or CE 610) must be included in the candidate's academic course plan. A minimum of 30 credits at the 400, 500, 600, or 800 level are required, of which 20 must be earned at the campus where the program is approved to be offered. A minimum of 24 credits of course work are required. A minimum of 12 credits of course work (400 and 500 level) must be completed in the major (courses prefixed CE). At least 18 credits in the 500 and 600 levels, combined, must be included in the program. Specific courses are expected to be included in the plan of study depending on the specialization within the department. The thesis must be accepted by the adviser and/or committee members, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School, and the student must pass a thesis defense. 

Continuous registration is required for all M.S. students until the thesis has been approved, but students may reapply if studies are interrupted per GCAC-514 Continuity of Registration and Resume Study.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Ph.D. students must pass the English proficiency and qualifying examinations, prepare and defend the dissertation proposal as part of the oral comprehensive examination, and pass the final oral examination (dissertation defense). The dissertation must be accepted by the Ph.D. committee, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School.

Continuous registration is required for all Ph.D. students until the dissertation has been approved, but students may reapply if studies are interrupted per GCAC-514 Continuity of Registration and Resume Study.

Dual-Titles

Dual-title Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and Climate Science

Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in GCAC-208 Dual-Title Graduate Degree Programs.

Admission Requirements

Students must apply and be admitted to the graduate program in Civil Engineering and The Graduate School before they can apply for admission to the dual-title degree program. After admission to their primary program, students must apply for admission to and meet the admissions requirements of the Climate Science dual-title program. Refer to the Admission Requirements section of the Climate Science Bulletin page. Doctoral students must be admitted into the dual-title degree program in Climate Science no later than the end of fourth semester (not counting summer semesters) of entry into the graduate major program and before taking the comprehensive exam.

Degree Requirements

To qualify for the dual-title degree, students must satisfy the degree requirements for the degree they are enrolled in Civil Engineering, listed on the Degree Requirements tab. In addition, students must complete the degree requirements for the dual-title in Climate Science, listed on the Climate Science Bulletin page.

The qualifying examination for Civil Engineering will satisfy the qualifying exam requirement for the dual-title degree program in Climate Science.

In addition to the general Graduate Council requirements for Ph.D. committees, the Ph.D. committee of a Civil Engineering and Climate Science dual-title Ph.D. student must include at least one member of the Climate Science Graduate Faculty. Faculty members who hold appointments in both programs’ Graduate Faculty may serve in a combined role. If the chair of the Ph.D. committee is not also a member of the Graduate Faculty in Climate Science, the member of the committee representing Climate Science must be appointed as co-chair. The Climate Science representative on the student’s Ph.D. committee will develop questions for and participate in the evaluation of the comprehensive examination.

Students in the dual-title program are required to write and orally defend a dissertation on a topic that is approved in advance by their Ph.D. committee and reflects their original research and education in Civil Engineering and Climate Science. Upon completion of the doctoral dissertation, the candidate must pass a final oral examination (the dissertation defense) to earn the Ph.D. degree. The dissertation must be accepted by the Ph.D. committee, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School.

Dual-title M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and International Agriculture and Development

Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in GCAC-208 Dual-Title Graduate Degree Programs.

Admission Requirements

Students must apply and be admitted to the graduate program in Civil Engineering and The Graduate School before they can apply for admission to the dual-title degree program. After admission to their primary program, students must apply for admission to and meet the admissions requirements of the INTAD dual-title program. Refer to the Admission Requirements section of the INTAD Bulletin page. Doctoral students must be admitted into the dual-title degree program in INTAD prior to taking the qualifying examination in their primary graduate program.

Degree Requirements

To qualify for the dual-title degree, students must satisfy the degree requirements for the degree they are enrolled in Civil Engineering, listed on the Degree Requirements tab. In addition, students must complete the degree requirements for the dual-title in INTAD, listed on the INTAD Bulletin page.

The qualifying examination committee for the dual-title Ph.D. degree will be composed of Graduate Faculty from Civil Engineering and must include at least one Graduate Faculty member from the INTAD program. Faculty members who hold appointments in both programs’ Graduate Faculty may serve in a combined role. There will be a single qualifying examination, containing elements of both Civil Engineering and INTAD. Dual-title graduate degree students may require an additional semester to fulfill requirements for both areas of study and, therefore, the qualifying examination may be delayed one semester beyond the normal period allowable.

In addition to the general Graduate Council requirements for Ph.D. committees, the Ph.D. committee of a Civil Engineering and INTAD dual-title Ph.D. student must include at least one member of the INTAD Graduate Faculty. Faculty members who hold appointments in both programs’ Graduate Faculty may serve in a combined role. If the chair of the Ph.D. committee is not also a member of the Graduate Faculty in INTAD, the member of the committee representing INTAD must be appointed as co-chair. The INTAD representative on the student’s Ph.D. committee will develop questions for and participate in the evaluation of the comprehensive examination.

Students in the dual-title program are required to write and orally defend a dissertation on a topic that is approved in advance by their Ph.D. committee and reflects their original research and education in Civil Engineering and INTAD. Upon completion of the doctoral dissertation, the candidate must pass a final oral examination (the dissertation defense) to earn the Ph.D. degree. The dissertation must be accepted by the Ph.D. committee, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School.

Dual-Title M.Eng., M.S., and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and Operations Research

Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in GCAC-208 Dual-Title Graduate Degree Programs.

Admission Requirements

Students must apply and be admitted to the graduate program in Civil Engineering and The Graduate School before they can apply for admission to the dual-title degree program. After admission to their primary program, students must apply for admission to and meet the admissions requirements of the Operations Research dual-title program. Refer to the Admission Requirements section of the Operations Research Bulletin page. Doctoral students must be admitted into the dual-title degree program in Operations Research prior to taking the qualifying examination in their primary graduate program.

Degree Requirements

To qualify for the dual-title degree, students must satisfy the degree requirements for the degree they are enrolled in Civil Engineering, listed on the Degree Requirements tab. In addition, students must complete the degree requirements for the dual-title in Operations Research, listed on the Operations Research Bulletin page.

The qualifying examination committee for the dual-title Ph.D. degree will be composed of Graduate Faculty from Civil Engineering and must include at least one Graduate Faculty member from the Operations Research program. Faculty members who hold appointments in both programs’ Graduate Faculty may serve in a combined role. There will be a single qualifying examination, containing elements of both Civil Engineering and Operations Research. Dual-title graduate degree students may require an additional semester to fulfill requirements for both areas of study and, therefore, the qualifying examination may be delayed one semester beyond the normal period allowable.

In addition to the general Graduate Council requirements for Ph.D. committees, the Ph.D. committee of a Civil Engineering and Operations Research dual-title Ph.D. student must include at least one member of the Operations Research Graduate Faculty. Faculty members who hold appointments in both programs’ Graduate Faculty may serve in a combined role. If the chair of the Ph.D. committee is not also a member of the Graduate Faculty in Operations Research, the member of the committee representing Operations Research must be appointed as co-chair. The Operations Research representative on the student’s Ph.D. committee will develop questions for and participate in the evaluation of the comprehensive examination.

Students in the dual-title program are required to write and orally defend a dissertation on a topic that is approved in advance by their Ph.D. committee and reflects their original research and education in Civil Engineering and Operations Research. Upon completion of the doctoral dissertation, the candidate must pass a final oral examination (the dissertation defense) to earn the Ph.D. degree. The dissertation must be accepted by the Ph.D. committee, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School.

Integrated Undergrad-Grad Programs

Integrated B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.Eng. or M.S. in Civil Engineering

This Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate (IUG) degree program combines the B.S. in Civil Engineering with the M.Eng. or M.S. in Civil Engineering offered at the following campuses:

Undergraduate Degree

• University Park

Graduate Degree

• University Park

Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in GCAC-210 Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG) Degree Programs.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) offers an Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG) degree program for our undergraduate students to pursue either a professional Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree or a research Master of Science (M.S.) degree. A Master's degree in Civil Engineering enhances technical expertise and problem-solving skills of the graduates, provides specialization in a CEE subdiscipline, and prepares graduates for leadership roles in complex infrastructure projects. It provides a competitive edge in the job market over bachelor’s degree holders, and opens doors to accelerated career growth, higher earning potential, and more advanced job opportunities in both the public and private sectors. It also provides a pathway to Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, international opportunities, and research/Ph.D. studies. This IUG program allows CE undergraduate students to earn both B.S. and Master’s degrees in a targeted five years, which is normally less than the time required for the separate degree programs. CE undergraduate students admitted to the integrated program must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 or higher until completion of the B.S. degree.The actual time required is determined by the individual student’s objectives, needs, and diligence. A maximum of 12 credits may be shared in both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, i.e., “double counted.” An admitted IUG student will begin the senior year working towards the B.S. and Master’s degrees. The student will follow the course scheduling of the B.S. major while also taking 500-level graduate courses, whenever appropriate, to satisfy the Master’s degree requirements. An IUG student is expected to receive the B.S. degree in the fourth year and continue to work towards satisfying all degree requirements for the Master’s degree in the fifth year. The student will select one of the four specialty areas in CE for their Master’s degree:

• Geotechnical and Materials Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies.

Students must apply to the program via the Graduate School’s Electronic Application Portal, and must meet all the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the Civil Engineering graduate program for the M.Eng. or M.S. degree, listed in the Admission Requirements section. Before applying to the Graduate School, students must have completed entrance to their undergraduate major and have completed no less than 60 credits. Students would typically apply after completing the fifth semester and before the end of the sixth semester, and must be admitted no later than the end of the second week of the semester preceding the semester of expected conferral of the undergraduate degree. Transfer students must have completed at least 15 credits at Penn State to enroll in an IUG. The IUG application should follow the CEE graduate application instructions and the following requirements:

1. A Statement of Purpose and resume (uploaded as one document), which should include the student’s name, PSU student ID number, undergraduate major(s), current cumulative GPA, and intended area of study (Geotechnical and Materials Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or Water Resources Engineering). The Statement of Purpose should cover the student’s academic goals and summarize the student’s academic experience to date that justifies consideration of the IUG program. The statement should demonstrate the student’s scholarly ability, communication skills, and potential success in graduate study.
2. A minimum of two letters of recommendation submitted electronically by faculty or employers elaborating on why the applicant should be considered for graduate studies. For students applying to the M.S. program, one of these letters must be written by the prospective graduate advisor, who should further address the details of the proposed area of research and the student’s ability to conduct the proposed work.
3. Under “Select Admission Type” of the online application form, check the box indicating you are applying to an IUG Program.
4. Plan of Study that covers the five-year IUG period, prepared in consultation with the prospective CE graduate advisor or CEE Director of Graduate Studies. This Plan of Study must be approved by the Director of the CEE Undergraduate Program and the prospective graduate advisor.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 

The degree requirements will be in accordance with the approved requirements of the B.S. degree (listed in the Undergraduate Bulletin) and either the M.Eng. or M.S. degree in Civil Engineering (listed on the Degree Requirements tab). Up to 12 credits may be double counted toward the degree requirements of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The 12 credits may be a combination of 400-, 500-, and 800-level courses; a minimum of 6 double-counted credits must be at the 500 or 800 level. Double-counted courses are selected based on the CE disciplinary areas (Geotechnical and Materials Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or Water Resources Engineering) and should be approved by the student’s graduate advisor, the CEE Director of Undergraduate Studies, and the CEE Director of Graduate Studies. Undergraduate capstone credits, independent study courses, and credits associated with the culminating experience for the graduate degree (such as thesis) cannot be double counted.

Student performance will be monitored on an on-going basis. A formal evaluation of the IUG student’s academic performance will be conducted at the end of the first semester of the senior year. Students who have not maintained a cumulative 3.3 GPA in Civil Engineering will be put on probationary status with respect to the IUG program. Their ability to continue in the IUG program will be based on academic performance in the last semester of their fourth year. As part of the review in the fourth year, students will be advised about the degree requirement in the graduate program. In addition, students must maintain a minimum retention GPA of 3.00 or better in 400-, 500-, 800-level courses listed on their Plan of Study for the Master’s degree. The plan should be reviewed periodically with an adviser as the student advances through the program, and any changes to a student’s course plan must receive approval from their academic adviser and the CEE Director of Graduate Studies. 

Students must fulfill all degree requirements for each degree (B.S. and Master’s) to be awarded that degree, subject to the double counting of credits. IUG students must sequence their courses so that all undergraduate degree requirements are fulfilled before taking courses to count solely towards the graduate degree. Students must complete the undergraduate degree requirements within the typical time to degree for the undergraduate major. In the semester in which the undergraduate degree requirements will be completed, IUG students must apply to graduate, and the undergraduate degree should be conferred at the next appropriate Commencement. IUG students have a maximum six-year time limit for completion of the B.S. and Master’s degrees. Any extension beyond six years requires the approval of the CEE Director of Graduate Studies. If for any reason a student admitted to the IUG program is unable to complete the requirements for the Master’s degree, the student will be permitted to receive the B.S. degree assuming all the undergraduate degree requirements have been satisfactorily completed.

The courses that can double count for the B.S. and M.Eng./M.S. are as follows for each CE disciplinary area:

Minor

A graduate minor is available in any approved graduate major or dual-title program. The default requirements for a graduate minor are stated in Graduate Council policy GCAC-218 Minors.

Student Aid

Graduate assistantships available to students in this program and other forms of student aid are described in the Tuition & Funding section of the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School’s website. Students on graduate assistantships must adhere to the course load limits set by the Fox Graduate School.

International applicants who wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship must present an acceptable score (250-300) on the American English Oral Communicative Test (AEOCPT). Departmental staff must register students for the AEOCPT at Penn State.

Courses

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

Civil Engineering (CE) Course List

Learning Outcomes

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)

1. KNOW: Graduates will be able to demonstrate understanding of advanced core principles and methods from selected sub-fields of Civil Engineering at a depth consistent with their course of study.
2. APPLY/CREATE: Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge of selected sub-fields of Civil Engineering to design and evaluate engineering solutions.
3. THINK: Graduates will be able to analyze and synthesize knowledge within the field of Civil Engineering to address a complex problem of practical relevance.
4. COMMUNICATE: Graduates will be able to demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communication appropriate to their discipline.
5. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of, and a commitment to, academic integrity and the standards for professional practice within Civil Engineering.

Master of Science (M.S.)

1. KNOW: Graduates will be able to demonstrate understanding of advanced core principles and methods from selected sub-fields of Civil Engineering at a depth consistent with their course of study.
2. APPLY/CREATE: Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge of selected sub-fields of Civil Engineering to design and evaluate engineering solutions.
3. THINK: Graduates will be able to analyze and synthesize knowledge within the field of Civil Engineering to extend existing knowledge through a research-based culminating experience.
4. COMMUNICATE: Graduates will be able to demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communication appropriate to their discipline.
5. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of, and a commitment to, the standards for scholarship and research integrity within Civil Engineering.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

1. KNOW: Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of advanced core principles and methods as well as modern research findings from selected sub-fields of Civil Engineering at a depth appropriate for conceptualizing and conducting independent research.
2. APPLY/CREATE: Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge of selected sub-fields of Civil Engineering in formulating and executing a research plan.
3. THINK: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyze and synthesize appropriate literature, to critically review their work in the context of the literature, and to formulate and defend conclusions based on their research that represent new scholarly contributions.
4. COMMUNICATE: Graduates will be able to demonstrate high levels of proficiency in oral and written communication.
5. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of, and a commitment to, the standards for scholarship and research integrity.

Contact