Civil Engineering (MS)
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:
- 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
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
Required Courses - 6 Hours
This degree plan includes courses that appear in more than one section of the degree plan. These courses can only be used to fulfill one requirement on the degree plan and credit hours will only be applied once.
Choose two from the following:
Non-Thesis Option
Prescribed Electives – 24 Hours
This degree plan includes courses that appear in more than one section of the degree plan. These courses can only be used to fulfill one requirement on the degree plan and credit hours will only be applied once.
With program coordinator’s approval, students may take up to 6 credit hours outside of the Department of Civil Engineering at UTRGV.
Capstone Requirement
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.
Thesis Option
Prescribed Electives – 18 Hours
This degree plan includes courses that appear in more than one section of the degree plan. These courses can only be used to fulfill one requirement on the degree plan and credit hours will only be applied once.
With program coordinator’s approval, students may take up to 6 credit hours outside of the Department of Civil Engineering at UTRGV .
Thesis - 6 Hours
Total Credit Hours: 30