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Doctorate in Civil Engineering

The Ph.D. in Civil Engineering program provides specialization to qualified students for the professional practice of or advanced academic research in civil engineering. Doctoral students have the opportunity to collaborate with world-class faculty on impactful research.

Highlights

  • State-of-the-art research facilities
  • Specialized areas of interest to focus research efforts
  • No GRE required
  • STEM-designated Program

You may specialize in a defined area of civil engineering but may also broaden knowledge through study in different areas of specialization and interdisciplinary related courses.

View this program in the University Catalog

Course Outcomes

The Ph.D. in Civil Engineering curriculum immerses you in knowledge of scholarly inquiry within the three main areas of research specialization:

  • Structural, Geotechnical and Construction Engineering
  • Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
  • Transportation Engineering

Program Information

  • Application Requirements
    • Submit the FIU Graduate Admission Application
    • Official transcripts of all previously earned college or university credits
    • A statement of objectives in which the intended research area must be clearly stated
    • Three letters of recommendation or recommendation forms provided by the department
    • A resume containing contact information, education and employment history, practical and research experiences (including publications), skills and other pertinent information.
    • Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering (only if pursuing Environmental area of specialization) from an accredited institution
    • GPA of at least 3.3/4.0 in the master’s program

    Credentials of all other applicants including those with foreign degrees and those with B.S. degrees in disciplines other than Civil Engineering (or Environmental Engineering) will be examined by the Graduate Program Advisory Committee on a case by case basis. Additional credentials that will be considered include, but are not limited to, work experience, awards and recognitions, publications and presentations, and other professional experience.

    For all Admissions Requirements, please consult the University Catalog.

  • International Students

    International students should refer to the FIU International Admissions site for additional instructions on how to apply or enroll as a first-time or transferring international student.

  • STEM Designation

    The Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering is a STEM-designated program. After program completion, international students have the opportunity of Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students to work within the U.S. for up to 36 months (one year of OPT + two years of STEM OPT) for STEM designated programs.

Requirements for Awarding of Degree

Students must demonstrate graduate knowledge acquisition in three incremental stages to be awarded a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering. For more information, please consult the University Catalog.

  • Guiding Faculty Member

    The student must contact the department for a list of all faculty members, visit them and be accepted by one professor to guide your dissertation research. If no such professor can be found within 15 months of admission, you will be dismissed from the Ph.D. program.

  • Dissertation Committee

    The student’s dissertation committee should be appointed as soon as possible and within the 15-month period after the student has been admitted to the Ph.D. program.

    The committee must have a minimum of four eligible faculty members, at least three from the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and at least one from outside the department, but within FIU. All committee members should have a Ph.D. degree and must be members of the graduate faculty. The major professor must hold dissertation advisor status.

    The dissertation committee should meet as early as possible to review student’s background, discuss student’s expected research areas, provide guidance on course selection, etc.

  • Qualifying Exam

    The Qualifying Exam must be taken as soon as possible and no later than the semester the student completes the minimum applicable course requirements.

    The exam consists of eight problems covering materials from core courses as determined by the student’s dissertation committee. The exam will be open-book and the student will be given eight hours to solve all eight problems.

    In the event that a student fails the exam, he or she can retake it only once in the subsequent semester.

  • Proposal Defense

    The proposal defense must be completed at least one year prior to the expected graduation date.

    In addition to the five-page proposal (brief version) required by the University Graduate School, the student must prepare a detailed proposal that contains, at a minimum, background information, problem statement, objectives, literature review, methodology, work plan, and schedule.

    The proposal must be submitted to each committee member at least two weeks prior to the defense date. The defense will be given in the form of a graduate seminar that is open to all faculty, students, and visitors.

    A student can attempt the proposal defense twice.

  • Dissertation Defense

    A draft dissertation must be submitted to each committee member at least six weeks prior to the date of the defense.

    In addition to dissertation copies to the University Graduate School, the student must deliver one final approved bound copy to the Department Chairperson, one to the major professor, and one to each member of the dissertation committee.

    The defense will be given in the form of a graduate seminar that is open to all faculty, students, and visitors. A student may only fail this defense one time.

    Students should become familiar with regulations and deadlines available on the University Graduate School website.

Apply to FIU

Interested students are encouraged to apply to FIU as early as possible. Applicants must submit transcripts from all schools attended, as well as any other supporting documentation required by their program of interest.

Apply