Requirements for admission include an outstanding record in an appropriate undergraduate program and a bachelor's degree. Admission to study is not restricted to civil engineering or geological sciences undergraduate majors. Applications are also encouraged from students with superior records in other fields of engineering or physical science who wish to participate in the programs of study offered by the department. A personal interview or visit to the Department of Civil Engineering and Geological Sciences is often helpful to the admission process. The department offers various types of financial aid packages to its graduate students.
Special fellowships giving higher stipends are available for exceptional candidates.
The student must spend a minimum of two semesters at the University and is expected to complete all degree requirements except defense of the thesis within three semesters. While in residence, a student typically completes 18 to 24 semester hours of credit in the first two semesters. The remaining credits to total at least 30, are completed in the summer and third semester. These credits include 16 to 24 semester hours in approved courses plus 6 to 14 semester hours of thesis research. An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 must be achieved for graduation.