How to Apply
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Are you interested in applying to a CEE graduate program? Watch the CEE Graduate Application Information Session recording (passcode: 3gw#LYYm) In this session, we covered commonly asked questions and took some questions from the audience. We covered content relevant to both MS and PhD programs. The panel: CEE Stanford Professor Rishee Jain, Graduate Admissions Officer Kate Shcherbakova, Director of Student Services Nan Aoki and Assistant Director of Student Engagement Morgan Diamond, and the Doerr School of Sustainability Assistant Director for Recruitment & Partnerships Tina Wu.
Correction about academic credential evaluation for international applicants: Institutions in China: We require your transcript and degree certificate to be verified by the China Credentials Verification agency (CSSD). All other institutions outside the United States: We require a credential evaluation from World Education Services .
Application Deadline
The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering accepts applications to our graduate programs once per year for fall quarter entry.
The application deadline is posted on our Application Timeline & Deadlines page.
Late applications will not be accepted. Any application materials over email will not be accepted. You cannot make any changes to your application materials after submission. Please note that we cannot guarantee the review of materials, including letters of recommendation , received after the deadline.
Application Materials
Scores from the general or subject Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are not required for admission to any CEE Graduate Program.
1. Completed Online Application
Access online application
2. Transcripts/Education History
Applicants are required to upload copies of their transcripts/academic records (including any legends/keys) directly into the online application. Please ensure that your scans are legible since the Admissions Committee will use them in their review process. Official transcripts will only be required for applicants who are admitted and accept the offer of graduate admission. Please do not arrange for any official transcripts to be sent to the department or Stanford graduate admissions until that time.
When completing the “Educational History 1” section of the application, you will be asked to list every college and university you have attended for a year or more, and any degree program in which you are currently enrolled. Please list the highest undergraduate degree awarded (e.g. Bachelor’s, Diplom, Maitrise) in the “Post-Secondary Institution 1” section.
3. Statement of Purpose (1–3 pages)
The maximum length is three pages (single-spaced); the recommended length is two pages (about 1,000 words). Your statement of purpose should be a well-structured essay that effectively communicates the information below while demonstrating your expository writing ability; it is often effective to open with a summary paragraph rather than e.g., a personal anecdote.
In your statement of purpose, you should succinctly describe your reasons for applying to the CEE Graduate Program you are interested in, which may include:
- Preparation and motivation for graduate study in Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Research and relevant work experience
- Specific features of the program you are interested in and our university that make us a good fit for you
- Possible general areas of Civil or Environmental Engineering that you might pursue in your career
- Possible general areas of research you might pursue
- Any faculty member’s research that is of specific interest to you
- Aspects of your background and interests outside of research that are directly relevant to thriving in graduate school, such as obstacles overcome and experience in service and leadership
- PhD applicants may be contacted for follow up interviews during the review of applications. However, please note that the number and timing of interviews do not signify any particular outcome regarding admissions decisions.
4. Three letters of recommendation
Recommenders should know you well and be able to comment on your strengths and your potential for graduate study. Our admissions committees strongly prefer letters of recommendation from academic (or professional) references who can speak to your academic and/or research background (e.g., professors who have acted as instructors or research supervisors who have had extensive individual interactions with you). Additionally, our admissions committees find it helpful to hear from references who can comment on your personal qualities that would enable you to succeed in our graduate programs (such as your passion for learning, your work ethic, commitment to goals, and capacity to overcome adversity).
NOTE: CEE will not consider letters of recommendation submitted through Interfolio.
5. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Your resume/CV provides the admissions committee with additional information to better evaluate your preparation and fit for our program. Your resume/CV is an opportunity to summarize your qualifications, honors, educational accomplishments, any research accomplishments (e.g., publications and presentations) and other interests.
6. TOEFL scores
If your first language is not English, you are required to submit an official test score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) . Please see the Test Scores page on the Stanford Graduate Admissions website for more information on Stanford's TOEFL test requirements, reporting scores, exemptions, and waivers.
7. Application Fee
Applicants who need assistance with the application fee are encouraged to apply for a fee waiver . Preference is given to low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented minority students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
For applicants who are not receiving a waiver, a nonrefundable application fee of $125 is required for each application submitted to a graduate program at Stanford University. The fee must be paid through the payment section of the online application. The only accepted method of payment is by credit/debit card (Visa or MasterCard only).
Additional Information about Applying
Important submission notice:.
Individual faculty members and staff are unable to accept informal or ad-hoc documents or appeals for informal evaluations. We encourage potential applicants to consider discussing their application materials with faculty recommenders at their home institutions who know them well and can give individualized academic advice.
Graduate Application Information Session:
2:00pm Pacific Time, September 17, 2024 https://stanford.zoom.us/j/92821439711?pwd=OacDTCyjLlup2jYsXEAYo9LFUPzQec.1
Prerequisites:
While most applicants to our advanced degree programs have traditional civil engineering backgrounds, we do accept applications from students in other related fields. Those with non-traditional backgrounds should expect, if admitted, to spend some additional time acquiring the background necessary to complete a graduate degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. For reference, the requirements for a Stanford BS in Civil Engineering can be found in the Handbook for Undergraduate Engineering Programs .
How to get more help:
Please carefully review the information on our website under the Graduate Admissions sections since most of the answers are posted there. If you still have further questions that are specific to graduate admission to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, contact [email protected] . Please be patient as we get many inquiries, especially around admission season. For help with the online application system and required application documents, submit a help ticket through your application portal instead.
NOTE: Decision feedback is not available to applicants denied admission. We recognize that you devote a great deal of time and effort to your application, and may wish to discuss it with a member of our admissions committee or a faculty member. Regrettably, we are unable to provide individual feedback to any applicant due to the volume of applications received.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
DEGREE Civil and Environmental Engineering, PhD
Doctoral degree in civil and environmental engineering
As a PhD student in civil and environmental engineering, you’ll not only advance your knowledge in your area of interest, but you’ll also enhance your teamwork abilities, communication, leadership, entrepreneurship, and creative research skills. Within our department, you’ll be able to specialize in areas that include construction engineering and management, environmental engineering, geo and pavement engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, and water resources and environmental fluid mechanics.
At a glance
Civil and environmental engineering department, learn more about what information you need to apply., how to apply.
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .
Application Process and Requirements
All applicants must meet the Graduate School’s admission requirements to be considered for admission. Departmental admission is by committee review. Applications submitted after the fall deadline through March 15 will be reviewed if complete and will be considered for admission by the department if space is still available. To check if space is available, please email: [email protected] .
In addition, applicants must also meet the department’s requirements listed below to be considered for admission:
A minimum undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours (approximately two years of work) or a master’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required. Applicants from an international institution must demonstrate strong academic achievement comparable to a 3.00 for an undergraduate or master’s degree. The Graduate School will use your institution’s grading scale. Do not convert your grades to a 4.00 scale.
A bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program or from a recognized international institution is recommended.
Funded offers for MS (research) and PhD students, in the form of research assistantships, project assistantships, and/or teaching assistantships come directly from individual faculty members . Please contact interested faculty before or after you have applied to inquire about assistantship opportunities. Funding is not guaranteed with admission. Faculty will contact successful applicants directly regarding funding opportunities.
Complete Application
A complete graduate application is required before an application will be reviewed by the faculty. A complete graduate application contains the following:
Graduate School Application
Applicants must submit an online application to the UW–Madison Graduate School. See Graduate School Admissions to apply.
Statement of Purpose
Submit a statement of purpose of 1,000 words or less in the online application. This statement should cover your technical areas of interest, coursework emphasis, research experience, professional goals, faculty members you are interested in working with, and any other items relevant to your qualifications for graduate school. See the Graduate School for additional guidelines for the Statement of Purpose (scroll to bottom of page).
Three Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation must be submitted through the online application. These letters should be from people who can judge the applicant’s academic, research, and/or work performance. See the Graduate School for FAQs regarding these letters.
Academic Transcripts
Upload the most recent copies of your transcripts to the online application, from each institution attended. Study abroad transcripts are not required if coursework is reflected on the degree granting university’s transcript. Unofficial copies of transcripts are used for departmental review. If the applicant is recommended for admission, then the Graduate School will follow-up with instructions for official transcript submission. Please do not send transcripts or any other application materials to the Graduate School or the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering unless requested.
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Upload your most recent resume or curriculum vitae in the online application.
English Proficiency Score
Applicants whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide an English proficiency test score. Scores are accepted if they are within two years of the start of the admission term. Self-reported exam information is acceptable during departmental review; however, if you are recommended for admission, official test scores must be sent directly to the Graduate School from the testing body. See Graduate School Admission Requirements for more information on the English proficiency requirement. (NOTE: TOEFL scores may be sent electronically via ETS using institution code 1846)
Application Fee
A one-time application fee is required. See the Graduate School frequently asked questions for fee information. Fee grants are offered by the Graduate School on a limited basis and under certain conditions, as outlined here . The department does not offer an application fee waiver due to the large volume of applications received. However, if you are working with a specific faculty member, then they may offer you a fee voucher.
Tuition and funding
Tuition and segregated fee rates are always listed per semester (not for Fall and Spring combined).
View tuition rates
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Resources
Financial support is available through fellowships, project/program assistantships (PA), research assistantships (RA), and teaching assistantships (TA). Faculty will contact successful applicants directly regarding funding opportunities. Admission is not a guarantee of funding.
Civil and environmental engineers are changing the world. Aging infrastructure. Climate change. Clean water and air. Natural hazards. Energy. These are just a few of the grand challenges facing civil and environmental engineers, and our research is leading the way toward sustainable solutions.
View our research
Curricular Requirements
Minimum graduate school requirements.
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Required Courses
Basic requirements for a PhD degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering include:
- PhD major coursework;
- qualifying examination;
- Breadth coursework;
- preliminary examination;
- dissertation research; and
- final oral examination.
Advanced coursework in a major area of civil and environmental engineering is required. The academic program for each doctoral student is planned on an individual basis with their advisor. 32 credits and breadth coursework must be completed prior to achieving dissertator status (for students who have earned an MS degree, credits accumulated for the MS can be applied toward this requirement). All graduate students must register for a 1-credit seminar course per academic year; students will discuss seminar options with faculty advisors.
Seminar course options; must discuss seminar options with faculty advisor.
Admission Inquiries [email protected] 3180 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706 College of Engineering Admissions
Pavana Prabhakar, Graduate Program Associate Chair [email protected]
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