PhD in Civil Engineering at Auburn University

Auburn University

United States of America, Auburn

University Rank:#851

The Civil Engineering is a PhD degree offered by Auburn University at its main campus in Auburn, United States of America. The program is delivered on campus as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 4 years to complete. Students study at the university's main campus while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study. The next intake is available from August 16, 2027.

About PhD in Civil Engineering

Degree Programs:

Civil Engineering – MCE
Civil Engineering – MS (On-Campus and Distance)
Civil Engineering – PhD

The Department of Civil Engineering offers graduate-level instruction and research programs leading to the degrees of Master of Civil Engineering (MCE), Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). These programs provide qualified students opportunities for advanced training and specialization and enable them to gain experience conducting engineering research and interpret and communicate their findings. The department offers programs in Construction Engineering and Management, Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Hydraulics/Hydrology, Pavements and Materials, Structural Engineering, and Transportation Engineering. Coursework may be taken in supportive disciplines including applied statistics, building science, computer science or mathematics, with sufficient justification.

Applicants for the graduate programs must have an earned baccalaureate degree (BCE, BS or BSCE) in Civil Engineering or a closely related area and must have completed such formal training as to warrant advanced study in the major and minor fields. Applicants from related disciplines may be required to take prerequisites, as determined by the relevant specialty program and the department. There is no formal foreign language requirement.

All MS candidates must write a thesis. At least 30 semester hours of graduate-level course credit must be completed satisfactorily. At least six of the 30 hours must be in CIVL 7990 and at least 24 hours must be in graduate course work other than CIVL 7990. Candidates must pass a comprehensive examination covering the coursework, research and thesis.

Admission requirements for MCE are the same as those for MS. MCE students must take at least 30 semester hours of graduate-level courses, which may include three-semester hours of CIVL 7980. A plan of study must be approved by the student's advisory committee.

PhD applicants must have earned a BS or master's degree in Civil Engineering or a related area. Applicants from other related disciplines may be required to take prerequisites determined by the relevant specialty program and the department.

The PhD is conferred in recognition of mastery of a specific field of knowledge and a contribution to that engineering discipline through the doctoral dissertation. The degree is a research degree, requiring not only completion of certain technical requirements but proof of the candidate's ability to work independently in an engineering research environment.

To be qualified as a PhD candidate, an admitted doctoral student must pass a written comprehensive examination and a follow-up oral critique administered by the student's advisory committee. The examination may not be taken sooner than one year after the student begins doctoral course work. Additional academic preparation may be prescribed by the advisory committee to strengthen deficiencies identified by the examination, or the student may be suspended from the program. One retake may be permitted after the student has completed the prescribed preparation. Upon successful completion of the examination, the student becomes a candidate for the PhD.

After successfully completing the comprehensive examination, the doctoral candidate will defend the proposed dissertation topic, which must represent a significant contribution to the state-of-the-art. This defense may be included in the oral critique of the comprehensive examination if the advisory committee agrees. Once the committee approves the research topic, the doctoral candidate may proceed with the research and dissertation. When it is completed, the candidate defends the completed dissertation before the advisory committee and the outside reader appointed by the Graduate School.

Disciplines

Graduate School

Requirements and Admission Criteria for PhD in Civil Engineering at Auburn University

Entry Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test if required by the department. Auburn University’s ETS institution code is 1005.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for Management, Finance, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Accountancy programs. Auburn’s GMAT institution codes are:
Successful international applicants must score at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper version (pBT), 213 on the computer version (cBT), and 79 on the internet version (iBT). Additionally, successful applicants must score minimums of 16 on the listening, reading, speaking, and writing components of the iBT. Auburn University’s ETS institution code is 1005. Auburn will also accept a 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.

International applicants required to submit a language test score have several options of certifying their English proficiency.

The TOEFL or IELTS will be the only accepted language proficiency tests for admission to Auburn University Graduate School. We do not accept the Duolingo English Test.

ETS has also created the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition to meet the needs of students who are unable to take the test in a test center due to COVID-19. The test is taken on your own computer at home and is identical in content, format and on-screen experience to the TOEFL iBT test taken at a test center. Visit The TOEFL Tests (ets.org) for more information.
Up to three (3) letters of recommendation may be required by the department. Applicants should contact the department to find out, first, if letters are required. If so, how many? And how should these letters be submitted?
International applicants must demonstrate full financial sponsorship if accepted into a graduate program, proof of a comprehensive medical insurance plan and submit an Official Statement Of Finance for International Students Form for 2023-2024. For more information, review our International Instructions.
One official transcript of all undergraduate and any graduate credits from each school previously attended. If an Auburn University transcript, the Graduate School will acquire the transcript for you. Official electronic transcripts from domestic institutions may be sent to [email protected].
International applicants should provide an official original language transcript and final diploma/certificate(s) accompanied by a certified English translation of each document.
Application fee payment: $60 for domestic students; $70 for international students. The following applicants are eligible for a fee waiver:
- Current Auburn University graduate students enrolled in graduate courses
- Full-time Auburn University employees
- Alabama HBCU applicants from the following schools (first 300 received per year): Alabama A&M and Alabama State Universities, Concordia, Miles, Stillman and Talladega Colleges, Oakwood & Tuskegee Universities – submit copy of school ID
- Ronald McNair Scholars – must submit a memo from sponsoring institution
- Florida A&M Feeders Program – must submit a memo from Faculty sponsor
- GEM applicants – must submit a copy of their GEM application
- Active Duty Military – with a letter confirming duty
- Applying for an approved dual program – the second application fee is waived
To qualify for one of the application fee exemptions, you must submit the required documentation to the Graduate School.

English Requirements

PTEMin 53
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 79

Tuition and Fee Information for PhD in Civil Engineering at Auburn University

Application Fee 70

How to Apply for PhD in Civil Engineering at Auburn University

Auburn University is pleased to offer this Web-based application in order to make our application process as easy and convenient as possible.

This application is part of the ApplyYourself Application Network. You will receive a PIN and Password so that you can return to work on your application over several sessions. Your information is transmitted through a secured server and is kept confidential until you submit your application. Only after you submit your application will it be available for review by the Graduate School Admissions Office.

When you have completed your application and are ready to submit it, you can pay your application fee online via credit card. No application will be processed until the application fee is paid. However, Auburn University employees and current graduate students are exempted from the application fee requirement. A complete list of eligible application fee exemptions may be found in the Application Instructions section of the application.

Please carefully read the instructions that appear throughout the application pages. You can submit your application once. If you have to update any information you have submitted, please notify the Graduate School Admissions Office at once.

To get started on your application, click “create account” to the right to establish your pin and password. To submit multiple applications, you must create an account for each application. If you are trying to access an existing account and have forgotten your PIN or password, click “Forgot your PIN or Password?”. You will be emailed the login information and will be able to reset the password.

Best of luck. We look forward to reviewing your application.

PhD in Civil Engineering at Auburn University

Auburn University

United States of America, Auburn