Construction Engineering and Management - Graduate Degree Programs
Coursework for the Master's and PhD degrees is tailored to fit the individualized needs of the student under a general framework of requirements with the approval of the student's graduate advisor or committee and the Graduate School. Each on campus degree requires a minimum of one academic year (two semesters) of residence. No more than 12 semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred from other schools for the master's. A prior degree in engineering or completion of essential engineering undergraduate courses, science, and mathematics is a prerequisite to full admission. See the Graduate Catalog and the Civil Engineering Graduate Programs brochure for details.
Master of Civil Engineering
The MCE degree in construction engineering and management requires a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of graduate study including 2 hours of CE Construction Seminar and 1 hour of independent study project with a written final report. A typical MCE degree program might include:
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| CE construction courses | 12 |
| CE other civil area course | 3 |
| CE 603 construction seminar | 2 |
| CE 675 Civil Engineering Project (min.) | 1 |
| Supporting or construction courses | 12 |
| Minimum Total | 30 |
Supported MCE students are expected to complete a 3-hour CE 675 project.
Master of Science
The MS degree requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate study including a thesis of not more than 6 credit hours and 2 hours of construction seminar. A typical MS degree program might include:
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| CE construction courses | 12 |
| CE 603 construction seminar | 2 |
| CE 695 Masters Thesis | 6 |
| Minor, supporting or construction courses | 10 |
| Minimum Total | 30 |
Doctor of Philosophy
Course work for the PhD degree normally includes about one year of full-time coursework beyond the MCE or MS degree. The major element of the PhD program is the writing of a dissertation reporting the results of an original investigation which represents a significant contribution to advancement of knowledge.
Minor or Supporting Courses
A minor for the MS degree may be selected to meet the individual needs of the student. Frequently selected minors include Business and Management, Statistics, Operations Research, other disciplines in Civil Engineering, or interdisciplinary combinations. If the MS student does not undertake a minor, at least 3 hours must be taken in another area of civil engineering. The PhD may include a minor, external to the department, of 15 to 18 hours (including master's minor). The student may alternately incorporate supporting coursework for the Master's or PhD degree from offerings by other departments or other areas within civil engineering.
Time to Degree
The time required to complete the degrees varies from student to student. Engineering BS graduates without work obligations optimally can complete the master's degree in one year. Those with assistantship obligations are expected to finish the master's in 3 or 4 semesters. Those pursuing studies part-time may require longer periods. The PhD often involves about 3 years of study and research.
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