• Graduate Programs
• M.S. Programs
  • M.S. Civil Engineering
  • M.S. Engineering-Environmental
  • Dual M.S./Ph.D.
  • Dual M.S./M.B.A.
  • Dual M.S./J.D
• Ph.D. Program
• Graduate Program Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes
• Admissions and Financial Assistance
• Graduate Courses
• UA Graduate School
• Research

Dual M.S./Ph.D.

The Department has two dual degree programs designed for students who are interested in research and do not hold an MSCE or MSE from a U.S. institution:

• Dual Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy (MSCE/PhD)
• Dual Master of Science in Engineering-Environmental and Doctor of Philosophy (MSE/PhD)

The degree requirements for the MSCE or MSE are integrated within the degree requirements for the PhD in Civil Engineering, with a common examination and committee.

MSCE or MSE Plan of Study (Non-Thesis Option Plan II)

A minimum of 30 credit hours of approved coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree, to include:

• 9 credit hours of core coursework (see core course listing on the next page)
• 21 credit of approved graduate coursework
• 12 credit hours maximum of approved graduate transfer credit
• 18 credit hours minimum of graduate CE courses

PhD in Civil Engineering Plan of Study

A minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, to include:

• 24 credit hours of CE 699 Dissertation Research
• 3 credit hours of CE 593/693 Practicum
• 45 credit hours of approved coursework (including coursework in MSCE or MSE Plan of Study)
  • 9 credit hours of core coursework (see core course listing)
  • 24 credit hours maximum of approved transfer credit
• The Plan of Study must be submitted before 30 credit hours are completed towards degree

Doctoral and Masters Examinations

• Doctoral Qualifying Exam: taken in the second semester of study, includes a written component with possible oral follow-up, and administered by a department committee including at least two faculty members from the student’s area of study (i.e., core course area)
• Preliminary Exam: administered by the student’s dissertation committee, has both a written and oral component, and includes a research proposal presentation and defense
• Combined Doctoral Preliminary Exam and Master’s Comprehensive Exam: administered by the student’s dissertation committee, has both a written and oral component, and includes a research proposal presentation and defense
• Dissertation Defense: administered by the student’s dissertation committee and focuses on the dissertation research
• Each exam is allowed to be taken a maximum of two times

Dissertation Committee

• The committee chair (doctoral adviser) must be full graduate faculty member from the department
• The committee must consist of a minimum of five members of the graduate faculty, including the chair
• The majority must be from the department with at least one member from outside the department
• The dissertation committee also serves as the master’s comprehensive examining committee

Residency Requirements

• A minimum of 3 years of continuous doctoral study
• A minimum of 1 continuous academic year in residence (on campus)
• Maximum of 7 years to complete the doctoral degree; maximum 6 years to complete the master’s degree

M.S./P.h.D Core Coursework Requirements (9 hours)

• Construction Engineering and Management
• CE 573
• CE 567
• CE 568

• Structural Engineering and Materials
• CE 573
• CE 534/634
• CE 537, CE 538, or CE 544

• Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
• CE 573
• CE 525
• CE 524, CE 527, CE 585, CE 575, or CE 570

• Transportation Systems Engineering
• CE 573
• CE 558
• CE 559 or CE 556

Notes

• Students on graduate assistantships must register for a minimum of 1 credit hour of CE 593/693 each semester they are supported.
• Students are responsible for all forms and must route all forms through the Department prior to submission to the Graduate School.

Dual MS/PhD Degree Requirements