This Ph.D. program is for students with a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in civil engineering or in closely related engineering disciplines. Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of various non-military facilities, including but not limited to roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings and railways. At UMKC, Ph.D. students can specialize in structural engineering, construction engineering, environmental engineering, material science and water resources engineering.
Our graduates are employed by a range of national and international engineering and consulting firms, as well as material suppliers. Some have advanced to leadership roles as directors of regional and national industry associations.
Some notable employers include the American Concrete Paving Association, Advanced Drainage Systems, ESI Contracting, Terracon, Heidelberg Materials, Burns & McDonnell, Black & Veatch, Water Resources Solutions, Geosyntec, Professional Engineering Consultants, Turner, HNTB, HDR, MoDOT and Trekk Design Group.
The Ph.D. in Civil Engineering requires a minimum of:
Students entering the program with a Master of Science in Civil Engineering will have 12 coursework hours of the 30 coursework-hour requirement waived. As a result, they are only required to complete 18 coursework hours and 12 dissertation hours.
Students entering the program with a bachelor's degree will earn their master's degree in civil engineering on the way to earning their Ph.D. by completing 24 graduate-level coursework hours, 18 doctoral-level coursework hours and 12 dissertation hours.
Complete course listing on Academic Catalog
Cost is a major consideration when deciding whether to continue your education. Please contact the program coordinator about assistantships that may be available.
We also encourage you to learn more about costs and financial aid and funding opportunities that can make earning your credential more affordable.
Estimated costs International student costs Financial aid Funding opportunities
Engage with faculty and peers across diverse disciplines like earth and environmental science, architecture, urban planning + design and civil engineering, creating a rich environment for innovative research and ideas.
Join a division engaged in major research initiatives, including the Environmentally Responsible Center for Communities of Concern, a Tier 1 U.S. Department of Transportation University Transportation Center; the UMKC Center for Neighborhoods; and the Missouri Center for Transportation Innovation, a four-campus transportation partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation.
With our major research engagements, you can benefit from more than $14 million in ongoing research support from local, state and national agencies and organizations.
1) Prepare required documentation, including:
2) Complete the online application. Please be sure to pay applicable domestic or international program fees.
3) Make sure you meet discipline-specific requirements, which are listed in the Academic Catalog.
4) Consider identifying and contacting possible research advisors before applying to secure commitment from at least one doctoral faculty for supervision of research and possible assistantships.
