Begin Your Journey
Become a Subject-Matter Expert
Our highly individualized PhD program prepares you to discover new knowledge, innovate new techniques, and advance the field of engineering. Working with your faculty advisor, you will pursue coursework and research in your area of interest resulting in your final dissertation. Additionally, you will contribute to the state of knowledge in your field by publishing in refereed journals of international prominence. You will graduate equipped for high specialized careers in academia, industry, government, and consulting.
Coursework for the PhD degree is intended to provide depth of study in a particular academic subdiscipline. Students should work closely with their faculty advisor in selecting appropriate courses for the chosen subdiscipline, as some require specific courses to be completed.
Completing Your PhD:
Timeline and Key Steps
While the average length for most students to complete our PhD program is four to five years, the timeline will depend largely on your research.
Entering a PhD program directly from an undergraduate program without a master’s degree typically adds one to two years to the PhD completion timeline due to the additional coursework required.
After being accepted into the program and beginning your coursework, here are the key steps of the journey to an earned PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Pass Qualifying Examination
Appoint Dissertation Committee
Pass Preliminary Examination
Complete Coursework
Defend Dissertation
Satisfy Publication Requirement
Submit Dissertation
Coursework Requirements
A total of 42 credits of approved graduate coursework beyond a master’s degree is required, meeting the following requirements:
- At least 24 credits must be earned at Colorado State University after acceptance into the doctoral program (see transfer requirements)
- At least 21 credits must be regular graduate-level courses (500-level and above)
- Of which, at least 18 credits must be regular graduate-level civil and environmental engineering courses (courses with a CIVE prefix and are 500-level and above with the last two digits 00-82, e.g. CIVE 655)
- Of which, at most 6 credits of independent study are allowed (CIVE 695A-L) and at most 2 credits of seminar courses are allowed
- Of which, at least 18 credits must be regular graduate-level civil and environmental engineering courses (courses with a CIVE prefix and are 500-level and above with the last two digits 00-82, e.g. CIVE 655)
- 12 to 18 credits of dissertation research (CIVE 799A-L) are required
A total of 72 credits of approved graduate coursework beyond a bachelor’s degree is required, meeting the following requirements:
- At least 24 credits must be earned at Colorado State University after acceptance into the doctoral program (see transfer requirements)
- At least 37 credits must be regular graduate-level courses (500-level and above)
- Of which, at least 18 credits must be regular graduate-level civil and environmental engineering courses (courses with a CIVE prefix and are 500-level and above with the last two digits 00-82, e.g. CIVE 655)
- Of which, at most 9 credits of independent study are allowed (CIVE 695A-L) and at most 2 credits of seminar courses are allowed
- Of which, at least 18 credits must be regular graduate-level civil and environmental engineering courses (courses with a CIVE prefix and are 500-level and above with the last two digits 00-82, e.g. CIVE 655)
- 18 to 24 credits of dissertation research (CIVE 799A-L) are required
Examinations
Dissertation
Graduate Admission and Program Details
Prospective students can learn more about our requirements, objectives, and program details.
Apply Now
Start your graduate application today!
Advising and Graduate Student Resources
Current students can schedule an appointment with the graduate advisor and access tools to help plan their academic journey.