Program of Study - Civil Engineering (MS)
Mission
The Master of Science in Civil Engineering supports the mission of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley by preparing students who are globally competitive to effectively practice engineering with professionalism and a commitment to ethnical responsibilities. Students will be afforded opportunities to meet and interact with practicing engineers, businesses, and governmental agencies as well as to participate in professional engineering organizations and in research. The program prepares students for local, regional, or worldwide employment in the engineering profession with either a 30‐hour degree program if the student completes a thesis or a 36‐hour degree program without a thesis. Students will select one of four concentrations: Construction and Structures, Geotechnical and Transportation, Energy and Utility Infrastructure, and Environmental and Water Resources.
The thesis option is designed to provide depth in one of the areas of concentration, and to promote cross‐cutting, inquiry‐based research. Students in the thesis option are required to take a minimum of four elective courses from one selected concentration area. Students are required develop and successfully defend a thesis proposal, and subsequently execute, document and defend the proposed research to meet graduation requirements.
The non‐thesis option is designed to provide advanced knowledge and technical capacity across all four areas of concentration. Students are required to take at least unique two electives from each concentration area.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree program with clear admission status, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a bachelor’s degree in another field with courses and/or experience that prepare the applicant for graduate work in Civil Engineering.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours. Students with an undergraduate GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission.
- Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources.
- Letter of intent detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- CV or Resume.
- GRE General Test. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years. A waiver of the GRE requirement will be granted to applicants who show proof of completing a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral).
Application must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (12 Credits)
Choose one of the Following Options
Thesis Option:
Prescribed Electives (12 Credits)
Choose ONE concentration
(At least three courses must have the CIVE prefix):
Construction and Structures Concentration
Energy and Utility Infrastructure Concentration
Environmental and Water Resources Concentration
Geotechnical and Transportation Concentration
Capstone Requirement:
Thesis (6 Credits)
Once taken, must be repeated each semester until thesis is successfully defended.
Oral Comprehensive Exam
Non-Thesis Option:
Prescribed Electives (24 Credits)
Choose TWO courses from EACH concentration
(at least one courses must have the CIVE prefix):
Construction and Structures Concentration
Energy and Utility Infrastructure Concentration
Environmental and Water Resources Concentration
Geotechnical and Transportation Concentration
Capstone Requirement
Course or extra-curricular project report
Total Credit Hours: 30-36