G-CEE-PHD - Civil and Environmental Engineering - PhD

Duke CEE provides a customized, flexible educational experience tailored to meet your needs in your chosen sub-discipline. In our program, you will progress from introductory classes to specialized coursework. As you learn, your focus will gradually shift from coursework to learning important leadership and research skills.

• 30 course credits (15 credits from core courses based on study track and 15 course credits related to the student’s area of research)

• Strongly encouraged to participate in the department's Graduate Colloquium

• Establish and meet with Preliminary Exam Committee (PEC)

• Complete Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training

• Pass the Research Proposal Defense

• Complete a Teaching Assistantship - TA guidelines

• Complete and defend a dissertation

• Pass a final examination

In addition to fulfilling departmental course requirements, students are encouraged to take advantage of the variety of courses across the university to broaden their education. Such courses do need to be approved by a preliminary exam committee before the preminary exam is taken, and by the adviser after this exam. 

Students who are pursuing a PhD may, after completing the credit requirements for the MS degree, formally apply for an MS degree. Typically an MS thesis, a defense and an MS exam are required. Full tuition payment for a total of five (5) or six (6) or semesters is required.

Students entering the PhD program with an MS degree, can, with approval of the Preliminary Exam Committee (PEC), the director of graduate studies, and the dean of The Graduate School, transfer up to 12 relevant course credits from the previous institution. Full tuition payment for a total of five (5) semesters is then required.