Specialization areas for PhD in Civil Engineering

• Coastal engineering, water resources engineering
• Construction Engineering and Management
• Earthquake engineering
• Geotechnical engineering
• Structural engineering and design
• Structural mechanics
• Transportation engineering.

Specialization areas for Ph.D in Environmental Engineering

• Air pollution engineering and control
• Water quality engineering
• Solid and hazardous waste remediation engineering
• Energy and the environment.

• Satisfactory completion of
  • at least 60 units of approved graduate level course work
  • a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0
• Credit toward the 60 units of required course work is given for approved course work in the area of specialization of the Ph.D. program.
• Typically Ph.D. students have completed a Master's degree with 27 units of course work, and take 33 additional units of course work in order to satisfy the 60 unit requirement.
• Ph.D. students take 9-12 units per semester, completing the required courses in from 3-4 semesters. 
• The Ph.D. program has three milestones.
  • Ph.D. Screening Examination: a written examination which should be taken not later than the 3rd semester.
  • Qualifying Examination: taken once the student has selected a dissertation topic and has done preliminary research resulting in a Dissertation Proposal.
    
    • an oral exam based on the proposed Dissertation Proposal and course work.
    • to be taken by the end of the 5th semester in the Ph.D. program.
  • Dissertation Examination: the Ph.D. student presents the Dissertation in manuscript form and defends it orally. This examination is usually taken within 6 months to a year after the Qualifying Examination, resulting in a total Ph.D. program with duration of 3-4 years.

• A master's degree from an accredited American college or university, or from a foreign institution of acceptable standing.
• Applicants must demonstrate from their previous major studies that they
  
  • meet the level of academic achievement
  • will be successful in advanced study.
• Admission decisions are based on
  
  • grade point averages
  • GRE scores
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • a statement of purpose.
• For admission to the PhD in Environmental Engineering program, the GRE is required. 
• The Ph.D. program in Environmental Engineering is open to students with degrees in engineering or sciences. Students with degrees in other fields may be admitted based on the recommendation of a Program Advisor.

Financial Aid

• The University, the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department provide financial assistance to qualified students through
  
  • scholarships
  • grants
  • teaching and research assistantships
  • loans arranged with the University's Financial Aid Office.