Civil Engineering (MS)

CIP Code

14.0801.00

Overview

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 a 30‐hour degree program. 

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources.
  4. Letter of intent detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
  5. CV or Resume.
  6. 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

Leveling Courses

Students admitted to the MS in Civil Engineering without a civil engineering background may be required to completed one or more of the leveling courses below as determined by the advisor

CIVE 3331Environmental Engineering

3

CIVE 3341Structural Steel Design

3

CIVE 3345Transportation Engineering

3

CIVE 4335Water Resources Engineering

3

CIVE 4346Reinforced Concrete Design

3

CIVE 4347Foundation Design

3

CIVE 4349Construction Planning and Management

3

Core Courses - 6 to 12 Hours

Students who complete 6 credit hours from the CIVE core will be required to complete 24 hours in the CIVE electives. Students who take 9 credit hours from the CIVE core will be required to complete 21 credit hours in the CIVE electives. Students who take 12 credit hours from the CIVE core will be required to take 18 hours in the CIVE electives.

CIVE 6331Infrastructure Engineering

3

CIVE 6341Advanced Water Resources Engineering

3

CIVE 6352Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

3

CIVE 6359Advanced Construction Scheduling

3

Electives – 18 - 24 hours

Any 6000-level Civil Engineering Course

With program coordinator approval, students may take up to 6 credit hours outside of the Department of Civil Engineering at UTRGV 

Written Comprehensive Exam

Student must pass a written comprehensive exam with at least 80% in their last semester prior to graduation. If a student fails the exam, the student must register for CIVE 7100 to retake the exam the following semester.

Total Credit Hours: 30