Qualifying for Admission to the Graduate Program without a BSCE or BSENVE Degree

Qualifying for Admission to the Graduate Program

We recognize that some prospective students have discovered an interest in civil or environmental engineering after completing their first bachelor’s degree or after deciding they want to make a career change. Our Department values this academic and career diversity. We are willing to advise students to develop an academic plan that meets the student’s goals but maintains the rigor, quality, and standards that are expected by the Department and employers for graduates of our graduate programs.

To help prospective students evaluate options, we have developed guidance to provide answers to common questions in our admissions criteria. Because each applicant’s background is unique, it is not possible to create a document that will cover all situations. For some students, you will find that obtaining a graduate degree without an undergraduate degree in the field is not the best option for your career goals.  We are happy to meet with you to review your situation in person, by phone or video chat to answer additional questions not answered by this document.

One key issue for students without civil or environmental engineering backgrounds who seek graduate degrees relates to licensure and career paths. Please be sure to read the section “Issues to Consider”.

Minimum Required Coursework

Our admission requirements for the MS and MEng degrees include a B.S./B.A. degree in an engineering field, science, or closely related area with a minimum GPA of 3.00. Courses should include calculus through differential equations, physics and chemistry, computer programming, and all the necessary prerequisites for the graduate courses that comprise the student’s program of study.

Each of the specializations in Civil and Environmental Engineering graduate program has identified a minimum list of courses (shown in Table 1) from the undergraduate curriculum at PSU that are considered key knowledge building blocks for the graduate curriculum.  Note that to be enrolled in these courses students will need the necessary prerequisites, which can be found on our course planning website. All students without a BSCE or BSENVE will be required to take the undergraduate courses for their chosen specialty shown in Table 1 unless waived by the Graduate Program or Department Chair. In addition, students may be required to take courses from the “calculus through differential equations, physics and chemistry, computer programming” sequences.
 

Typical Admissions Outcomes

Students applying to our program without a BSCE or BSENVE generally fall into two categories: 1) students with a degree from another engineering discipline or closely-related field to engineering (e.g. physics with calculus, mathematics, geology, or environmental science) or 2) students with degrees other than science or engineering. The typical admissions outcomes for these groups are presented separately:

1. Students with a bachelor’s degree from another engineering discipline or closely-related field to engineering. Since the curriculum for engineering and science fields generally includes calculus through differential equations, physics and chemistry (equivalent to the PSU courses required for our BSCE and BSEE programs), computer programming, students with this background will meet most of the prerequisites for these courses.  On a case-by-case basis, the Department will either 1) provide a Conditional Admission to the Graduate Program listing the additional coursework or, 2) at its discretion, provide a written plan of required coursework to complete before re-applying to the program. Note that once admitted as a graduate student, all tuition is assessed at the graduate rate.
2. Students with a bachelor’s degree other than science or engineering. To enroll in the courses shown in Table 1, students will need the required prerequisites, which can be found on our course planning website. For students without much math or science background, the long prerequisite chains for the courses will results in the need to enroll in many additional undergraduate courses. For some students the number of courses that will be required is close to the credits needed for second Bachelor’s degree (see Issues to Consider).  It is unlikely that students from this background will be admitted conditionally to the graduate program. It is more likely that the Department will, at its discretion, provide a written plan of required coursework to complete before applying or re-applying to the graduate program.