Graduate Studies
Building the Future
Civil engineers are faced with building and rebuilding the future. As the broadest of the engineering professions, civil engineering provides a foundation for careers in structural engineering, construction materials engineering, construction management, geotechnical engineering, transportation, water resource engineering and fluid mechanics. Our civil engineering graduate program is focused on collaborative research to solve the complex challenges of infrastructure and the built environment. It emphasizes engineering practice and the advancement of engineering knowledge through research and coursework.
Advanced Degrees
M.S. Program
Students pursuing a Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree select one of six major program areas. Pathways include a thesis and nonthesis option.
Ph.D. Program
Students pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy select one of six major program areas, and have no formal course requirements. A B.S. to Ph.D. entry is possible.
MEng Program
The Master of Engineering is offered online and boasts the ability to stack certificates. A capstone project will be required for degree completion.
Specialty Areas
The Glenn Department of Civil Engineering is comprised of six different specialty areas that traditionally fall under the umbrella of the civil engineering discipline.
- Construction Engineering and Management
- Construction Materials
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Transportation Systems
- Water Resources
Applicants to the program are required to select a primary specialty area when they submit their graduate application, and students are expected to satisfy the core requirements of the area in which they were accepted. While each student will primarily focus on one specialty area, there are possibilities for interdisciplinary study. More information about the research associated with each of the specialty areas can be found on our Research page.
Combined B.S. and M.S.
Civil engineering undergraduates at Clemson University may begin a Master of Science (M.S.) degree program while completing their Bachelor of Science (B.S.). The B.S./M.S. program in Civil Engineering provides eligible undergraduate students (3.4 GPA or higher) with the opportunity to get a head-start on graduate studies by allowing them to use a limited number of graduate courses to satisfy requirements for both the B.S. and M.S. degrees.
Preparing for Grad School
The Graduate School has compiled a checklist for newly accepted students that will answer most questions that a new student may have about enrolling at Clemson University – from the planning stage to the arrival process. It is important for students to review this information as soon as they receive acceptance into the graduate program.
New Student Checklist-
Graduate Assistantships
The Glenn Department of Civil Engineering offers several teaching and research assistantships to M.S. and Ph.D. students. Funding by assistantship is competitive and awarded based on academic excellence, needs of the Department, available funding, and compatibility of research interests. It is helpful if personal statements include information related to research interests, particularly how they relate to current research within the Department.
Students who have been selected to receive an assistantship will be contacted by email with an official assistantship contract. We offer two types of assistantships:
- Teaching Assistantships:
- May involve grading homework/assignments or teaching undergraduate labs
- Awarded by Department based on recommendation of the faculty
- Research Assistantships:
- Awarded by individual faculty members
- May be given at any point during student’s program of study
Individual faculty members hire most students to conduct research on externally funded projects. The department also employs several students to assist in instructional activities. Both quarter-time and half-time assistantships are awarded based on the expected weekly time commitment. Students receiving these assistantships also qualify for reduced fees.
Graduate assistants pay significantly reduced tuition and receive a twice-monthly stipend. To be eligible for funding, students on assistantship must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 9 credits in fall and spring and 6 credits in the summer). This is a university policy and cannot be waived.
- Teaching Assistantships:
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Graduate Fellowships
The department awards three research fellowships to outstanding Ph.D. students. In addition, the College of Engineering and Science and Clemson University award recruitment fellowships. Civil engineering faculty members take responsibility to nominate outstanding applicants for these fellowships. Faculty members also help identify external fellowships and assist in the application process.
Glenn Graduate Fellowship
The Glenn Department of Civil Engineering is pleased to announce the availability of a prestigious new graduate fellowship, the Glenn Graduate Fellowship. These fellowships are awarded to select incoming students applying to the M.S. or Ph.D. program. Fellowship recipients must have at least one degree from a U.S. institution. No separate application is required – all qualified, outstanding applicants will be given consideration. Information regarding the application process may be found on the Graduate Admissions website.
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Required Application Materials
All supporting material will be submitted electronically. Students admitted to Clemson and who decide to attend can submit official transcripts to Graduate Admissions upon arrival on campus.
- Personal Statement
- Why do you want to pursue a graduate degree in civil engineering?
- Why do you want to pursue a graduate degree at Clemson University?
- Letters of Recommendation
- Ph.D. – 3 recommendations
- M.S. – 2 recommendations
- Transcripts from each college or university attended
- GRE scores (all applicants)
- TOEFL*/IELTS/PTE Academic scores (international applicants whose native language is not English)
- Resume/CV (optional, but encouraged)
- Application fee: Domestic fees – $80, International fees – $90
NOTE: the minimum score requirements for admissions
- TOEFL – 80
- IELTS – 6.5
- PTE Academic – 54
Application Review Process
The application review process for Spring admission begins in early September and in early January for Fall admission. Faculty review applications based on the specialty area indicated by the applicant. Thus, structures faculty only reviews structures applicants; geotechnical faculty only review geotechnical applications, etc. The decision process may take up to four weeks to finalize once an application is complete; thus, students are encouraged to apply early.
- Personal Statement
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Application Overview
Potential applicants interested in graduate studies at Clemson University will submit their application and all supporting material to the Office of Graduate Admissions. All material for the review process will be submitted electronically, and applicants can check the status of their application by using the online status check.
The Civil Engineering Department reviews applications on a rolling basis; however, it is recommended that applications be completed (including all supporting materials submitted) by April 1 for August enrollment and November 1 for January enrollment. International applicants must also consider any Office of International Services deadlines that relate to I-20 issuance.
For the Graduate Certificate Programs, the deadline for application submissions is June 15 for August enrollment.
The Civil Engineering faculty make application decisions, and the review process will begin when Graduate Admissions have received all supporting material.
Apply | Graduate School
