Civil engineering

The Ph.D. in civil engineering is a 78-credit program  designed to prepare you for leadership roles in research, innovation and technology development.

View the program handbook

Explore program courses in the University Catalog

Areas of emphasis:

• Building and structures
• Transportation engineering
• Engineered materials and sustainability
• Environmental engineering
• Water resources engineering
• Ecohydraulics and river restoration

Learning outcomes

Through the Ph.D. in civil engineering program, you’ll develop your expertise through original research, engineering analysis, innovation and technology development through doctoral coursework, dissertation research and faculty mentorship. You’ll design and conduct independent research, evaluate complex engineering challenges and contribute new knowledge to the field. You’ll graduate prepared for high-impact careers like university faculty, research scientist, engineering leadership, consultancy and innovation in industry, government agencies and research organizations focused on infrastructure and emerging engineering solutions.

Program format

The Ph.D. in civil engineering is a research-intensive doctoral program centered on advanced coursework, independent research and dissertation development. You’ll work closely with your major professor and graduate committee to design a focused plan of study, conduct original research and contribute new knowledge to the field.

This program includes qualifying and preliminary examinations, dissertation research and a final defense, preparing you for leadership roles in academia, industry, government and research organizations.

Faculty expertise

Collaborate with faculty experts leading impactful research to address emerging challenges in:

• Water resources, hydraulics and ecohydraulics
• Environmental engineering and water quality
• Structural engineering and resilient infrastructure
• Transportation engineering and mobility systems
• Geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics
• Construction, pavements and materials engineering
• Sustainable infrastructure and climate resilience
• Watershed science and ecosystem restoration
• Natural hazard mitigation and infrastructure resilience
• Applied engineering research with industry and community partners

Find a faculty advisor

Professional licensing

Completion of the program will count towards eligibility for the Professional Engineer's License (PE) to practice Engineering, which requires a four-year degree from an ABET-accredited school, four years of experience under a PE, and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Principles of Practice in Engineering (PE) Exams.

Clubs

Our college offers 20+ clubs and organizations tied to international and national engineering organizations, including national competition teams.

Learn about clubs related to your major:

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA)
• Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC)
• Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

Funding is competitive and faculty may provide graduate funding through a variety of external agencies and industry partners. Contact our faculty to learn more about these funding opportunities or explore graduate fellowship programs.

University of Idaho is committed to making graduate education accessible and helping students navigate the cost of earning an advanced degree. In addition to financial aid and scholarship opportunities, many graduate students receive funding through assistantships, research opportunities and other forms of academic support.

Here are a few key resources to help you understand graduate tuition, funding opportunities and available financial support:

• Submit your FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important first step in accessing federal financial aid and certain institutional funding opportunities.
• Estimate your cost of attendance: Visit U of I’s cost of attendance page to explore estimated tuition, fees and living expenses associated with your graduate program.
• View a breakdown of tuition and fees: Visit the Student Accounts page to explore current tuition rates, fees and detailed cost information based on your program, residency status and enrollment level.
• Explore scholarships and graduate funding opportunities: Graduate students may qualify for scholarships, fellowships and other funding opportunities based on academic achievement, area of study and professional experience.
• Learn about assistantships: Many graduate programs offer Research Assistantships (RAs), Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Graduate Assistantships (GAs), which may provide tuition support, stipends and valuable professional experience. Assistantship availability and funding levels vary by program and department.

If you have questions about financial aid, scholarships or graduate funding, U of I’s experienced financial aid counselors and graduate program staff can help you explore options and make informed financial decisions throughout the admissions process.

View financial aid resources

Recognized STEM Program

This program is recognized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and may be eligible for the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension for international students.

Learn more about STEM approved CIP/degree codes

Have questions about the program, research opportunities or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized guidance about curriculum, faculty mentorship, application requirements and graduate funding opportunities.

Civil and Environmental Engineering contact:
Andrew Tranmer
andyt@uidaho.edu

For questions related to admissions, application materials, transcripts or enrollment steps, contact Graduate Admissions:

Graduate Admissions contact:
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001

Interested in research areas or finding a faculty mentor? Explore faculty expertise, research interests and advising opportunities on the department’s faculty page.

Find Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering faculty advisor contacts.

Applicants for the Ph.D. in civil engineering must meet the following degree-specific admission requirements:

Program availability

• Semester intake: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Open to international applicants, including those requiring F-1 or J-1 visa status
• Deadlines: General application deadlines
• Start dates:
  • View the academic calendar to see start and end dates

University requirements

• Education level: Bachelor's degree in a similar field
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary education will be required. Unofficial transcripts may be used for initial admission review. View more information on the Graduate Admissions page.
• GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
• GRE: Not required
• Letters of recommendation: Three
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Valid picture ID (required to verify students’ identity and will be kept confidential)
• English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).
• Accepted tests: TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 115, PTE-A: 58. Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.
• Other requirements: Applicants not holding a B.S. degree in civil engineering are required to show evidence of completing the following undergraduate coursework:
  • Mathematics through differential equations
  • One semester of chemistry
  • One semester of calculus-based physics
  • One semester of engineering statics
• Once admitted, additional preparatory coursework will be determined by the student’s advisory committee and/or as prerequisites to courses listed in the student's study plan.
• Application Fee: $50

Application and admission process:

Applications are submitted online and are specific to the program and term selected. Applicants seeking admission to multiple programs must submit a separate application for each program.

Before submitting an application, applicants must provide personal and academic information from all post-secondary institutions attended, recommender information, required program-specific materials, and their intended program and start term.

Applicants seeking admission to the Ph.D. are encouraged to identify and contact a potential faculty advisor or major professor during the application process. Early identification of an advisor can help ensure that a faculty member in the applicant’s area of interest has capacity to supervise the student and appropriate research opportunities are available. Applicants should consult the College of Engineering website to identify faculty whose research aligns with their academic and research interests.

Applications are reviewed for admission by the academic program. Only complete applications, including required letters of recommendation and payment of the application fee, will be forwarded for evaluation and admission decision. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their applications early to allow sufficient time for a thorough review.

International students seeking F-1 or J-1 visas must provide financial documentation demonstrating their ability to cover the cost of attendance. This documentation is required only after admission.

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.