Doctoral degrees in engineering that focus on civil engineering and environmental engineering are required for college-level teaching and employment in research institutions. Many leading industries and agencies also seek well-trained doctoral graduates.
Specialty areas in the program include coastal, geotechnical, structural, transportation, and water resources engineering in civil engineering and a variety of sub-fields in environmental engineering including water quality, water and wastewater treatment, hydrologic processes, water resources, environmental engineering microbiology, air quality, hazardous and solid waste, biofuels, nutrient cycling, and pollution prevention.
For additional information, please request a departmental handbook from the Graduate Program Director (CEGPD@odu.edu).
Program Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering with a Concentration in Civil and Environmental Engineering requires a minimum of 48 credits beyond a master's degree (or 78 credits beyond a bachelor's degree). These include 24 credits of coursework and 24 credits of dissertation research (beyond a master's degree).
Additional Information
Graduate Student Program Handbook: For additional information, please request a departmental handbook from the Graduate Program Director (CEGPD@odu.edu).
Additional Graduate Student Resources (Graduate School): The Graduate School has extensive additional resources for graduate students at https://www.odu.edu/graduateschool/graduate-student-resources
Program Financial Aid: Our programs offer graduate assistantships with stipends that are awarded to students after a competitive review process. The level of award is determined on the basis of previous experience and performance as a graduate assistant and on the student’s academic achievement and potential in the field. In addition, a number of teaching and research positions are available for financial support of graduate assistants during the summer months (June and July).
Accelerated Study (Dual Dominion Program): Exceptionally well-qualified undergraduate students in the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology can apply for entry into the Dual Dominion Program, which permits students to begin pursuit of a graduate degree (including a doctoral degree) in Engineering while they are still pursuing their undergraduate degree in a complementary discipline. Subject to the approval of the undergraduate and graduate program directors, a student enrolled in the Dual Dominion program can count up to six credit hours of course work towards both the undergraduate and the graduate degrees. Students who are matriculated in an undergraduate major in the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology with a GPA of at least 3.00 overall and 3.00 in the major are eligible to apply for admission to a Dual Dominion Bachelor's/Master's program. Additional Undergraduate Catalog information on the Dual Dominion program can be found at https://catalog.odu.edu/undergraduate/registrationrequirementsandprocedures/linked_programs/.
Admission Information
Application Process
Summary: Applications for graduate study in the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Program (Civil and Environmental Engineering Concentration) should be made through the general ODU Application Portal. Additional materials supporting your application (outlined below) will be required. Once complete, your application package will be reviewed and forwarded to the Civil and Environmental Engineering Program's Graduate Program Director for consideration. Questions regarding the general application process can be directed to admissions@odu.edu (on-campus) or globaladmissions@odu.edu (online).
Application Deadlines: The Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Program uses a rolling admission process and does not have a formal application deadline. Entrance into the program and commencement of studies will be timed to begin with the start of the next academic term following admission.
General ODU Requirements
General ODU Requirements: General requirements for graduate admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Program (Civil and Environmental Engineering Concentration) can be found on the ODU Graduate Admissions website. Additional details can be found in the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog.
Additional Program Requirements:
Prior Degrees: Civil and Environmental Engineering doctoral degree applicants normally will have a bachelor’s degree, preferably, in civil or environmental engineering with a strong background in mathematics and physical sciences. However, exceptionally well qualified students can be admitted to Ph.D. program directly without a master’s degree. Provisional admission (see below) may also be possible for applicants with prior degrees in a related fields other than the applicant’s intended graduate program.
Undergraduate GPA: Regular admission to a doctoral program generally requires a master's degree GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA may be considered for regular or provisional admission on the basis of successful engineering work experience or other credentials demonstrating potential for success in the doctoral program.
Transcripts: Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended are required.
Examination/Test Scores: Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores is nominally required. However, this requirement is waived if the applicant holds an engineering degree from an ABET accredited institution in the USA.
Language Proficiency Requirements: TOEFL (or IELTS) scores are required for all applicants whose native language is not English unless their BS degrees are from USA institutions. These applicants must meet University admission requirements (IELTS: 6.5 or TOEFL iBT: 79); please refer to the website: https://www.odu.edu/admissions/proficiency for additional details.
Résumé: A résumé or CV detailing relevant experience is required.
Personal Statement: Each applicant must submit an essay of 500 words or less describing personal and academic goals, professional objectives, preparation for graduate study, and how the chosen program will help the applicant achieve these goals and objectives.
Recommendation Letters: Two letters of recommendation must be submitted. At least one must be from former or current professors, and one could alternatively be from an employment supervisors.
Provisional Admission: Students not meeting the above requirements may be admitted provisionally. Only the Graduate Program Director (GPD) can waive an admission requirement. Please reach out directly to the GPD if you think you are eligible for a waiver from a requirement. The GPD may request additional information, including GRE scores. Provisionally admitted students may be required to complete additional prerequisite course requirements to prepare them for the graduate curriculum in the discipline.
Curriculum Requirements
Curriculum requirements in the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering Concentration) are in accordance with the general requirements for Ph.D. degrees at Old Dominion University as specified in the Requirements for Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.
Progression in the Ph.D. program is governed by a Plan of Study that is established by the student in conjunction with his/her advisor and guidance committee within the first nine credit hours of coursework. The Plan of Study will follow the established course requirements (below) unless a substitution to one or more courses is agreed upon between the student and their primary advisor and approved by the Graduate Program Director.
The plan of study is designed to prepare the student to undertake scholarly research in the particular field and specialization of their dissertation. The coursework selected will provide the student with (1) the requisite foundational knowledge of the selected field, and (2) the necessary research skills. A high degree of flexibility is provided to customize the plan of study, taking into account the diversity in the fields of study, the multidisciplinary nature and variety of research that is undertaken, as well as the different levels of preparation that individual students have upon entry to the program.
Degree Requirements
Ph.D. program requires minimum 24 credits of coursework and 24 credit hours of dissertation research work. At least three-fifths (3/5) of all coursework (15 credit hours) shall be from 800-level courses as required by the University. At least three-fifths (3/5) of all coursework applied towards the degree must be at the 800 level (or higher) for all doctoral programs.
