All students must meet the Requirements for the Accelerated Master’s Degree Pathway
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the Degree of Master of Science for Accelerated Students
Qualified undergraduate students who plan to earn a M.S. in civil and environmental engineering may enroll in the Accelerated Master's Entry Pathway, which enables students to begin working on the M.S. while still an undergraduate. Applications are typically completed in the second semester of the junior year, but must be completed at least 1 month prior to the semester in which the student wishes to take courses that will double-count for both B.S. and M.S. degrees so that there is enough time to be admitted to the Graduate College before coursework that will double count is taken. Upon entering the pathway, students may take up to 6 graduate credits while completing the undergraduate degree that can be counted toward both the B.S. and the M.S. degrees. Another 3 graduate credits can be counted towards the M.S. degree while an undergraduate but cannot count towards the B.S. degree. These credits must be earned after the student has been accepted into the Graduate College, and are subject to approval of the student's graduate advisor. Students pursuing an M.S. degree in civil and environmental engineering may choose either a thesis, project, or non-thesis-based program.
To apply to the program, students should have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20 at the time of application (some exceptions may be made, if warranted), must submit a letter of application to the graduate program coordinator naming a faculty member who has agreed to serve as their graduate advisor and list the courses proposed for graduate credit. Applicants must also complete the Graduate College application. GRE scores are not required for AMP students.
Minimum Degree Requirements
The requirements for advancement to candidacy are as follows:
| THESIS OPTION | ||
| Total Minimum Credits (including 6-9 credits of CEE 6391) | 30 | |
| Oral Comprehensive Examination | ||
| Completion and Defense of a Thesis | ||
| NON-THESIS OPTION #1 | ||
| Total Minimum Credits (including 3-6 credits of CEE 6392) | 30 | |
| Oral Comprehensive Examination | ||
| Completion of a Research Report | ||
| NON-THESIS OPTION #2 | ||
| Total Minimum Credits | 30 | |
| Written Comprehensive Examination | ||
Students must declare which option they intend to pursue at the beginning of their program, any changes must be done in coordination with the academic advisor and Graduate Program Director.
All M.S. students must complete a minimum of 6 credits in advanced statistics, mathematics or numerical/computational methods, and a minimum of 9 credits in Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) coursework. At least 6 graded coursework credits must be at the 6000-level or above.
Comprehensive Examination
A comprehensive examination is required of all M.S. students. For thesis option students this generally takes the form of an oral examination with the Studies Committee and often focuses around the basic principles behind the thesis research. This should generally take place in the semester preceding the thesis defense.
For non-thesis option students, the required format is either a written report or a written examination consisting of 3 topics related to the student's course of study. This usually takes place in the last semester of the program.
The examination may be retaken once if the student does not pass it on the first attempt.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Science
Specific course work may be required of those who lack a sufficiently strong engineering background.