Financial Support
How do you plan to pay for college? It's something everyone has to think about, no matter your background or situation. Financial support may be available to graduate students through research grants, departmental support, and the UAB BlazerBest Fellowship Program.
The UAB Graduate School awards Blazer Graduate Research Fellowships annually to highly qualified first-year doctoral candidates who are engaged in full-time research. These fellowships provide students with financial support for stipend, tuition, and health insurance for four consecutive academic terms. Students will be supported after completion of the Blazer Graduate Research Fellowship by the faculty mentor's intra- or extramural grant awards, contracts, institutional training grants, individual fellowship awards, or start-up packages in the case of new faculty.
The Graduate School is the best place to go for guidance on financing your education; detailed tuition and fees information; financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships; and payment deadlines.
We recommend you start here when considering how to finance your studies:
Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering
This is a joint program with the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). A typical student enters the program with an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Students with outstanding records in related fields or from non-accredited engineering programs will be considered for admission on conditional standing and must remedy deficiencies in their preparation after the start of their academic program. They may then be granted unconditional standing in the doctoral program.
The Ph.D. program is intended for students who have achieved high levels of scholarship and are capable of conducting independent and original research. Ph.D. students in civil engineering will work closely with faculty in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, but they may also work on interdisciplinary teams with faculty from other UAB departments as well as outside industry.
The program requires 48 credit hours of coursework beyond the baccalaureate level or 24 credit hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree, plus a minimum of 24 credit hours of dissertation research.
Admission
Admission into the Ph.D. program requires the graduate student to enroll through the UAB Graduate School. Completed applications are reviewed by the Civil Engineering graduate program committee.
Requirements
Program requirements and course descriptions can be found in the UAB Graduate Catalog.
A comprehensive examination is required of all doctoral candidates. This exam is given after:
- all coursework is completed, and
- the student’s Graduate Committee, which consists of faculty representatives from both campuses, deems the student to have adequate preparation in the major and minor fields of study.
The examination is conducted by the Graduate Committee and administered on the resident campus. The examination consists of a written part and an oral part. The student presents a dissertation proposal during the oral portion of the examination. The comprehensive examination may only be taken twice.
After successfully passing the exam and defense, the graduate student will then enter into doctoral candidacy. Doctoral candidates must complete a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation research and then develop a dissertation for review by the dissertation committee. The candidate must also present an oral public defense of their dissertation. If the defense is successful, the student then has 10 working days to revise the dissertation and submit its approved form to the Graduate School.
Questions?
For more information on the Ph.D. program, contact Nasim Uddin, Ph.D., Professor and director of the graduate program, at (205) 934-8432 or
Master of Science in Civil Engineering
A master of science in civil engineering equips engineers to advance in various industrial or academic career fields that emphasize high-level and collaborative research. An M.S. in civil engineering can serve as a step toward a Ph.D. in engineering, or it can provide the experience and credentials needed to increase competiveness in the job market. The program can be completed in as few as two years, though the typical student takes two courses per term for five semesters.
Admission
In addition to the UAB Graduate School admission requirements, requirements for admission to the program leading to the Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree include the following criteria:
- An undergraduate engineering degree from an ABET accredited program. Applicants who do not meet this criterion but who have an outstanding academic record in an engineering degree program not accredited by ABET, or in a baccalaureate degree program in a related field, may be admitted on probation. Students admitted in this category will be required to complete a sequence of undergraduate courses in addition to the normal requirements of the M.S. in Civil Engineering. This set of extra requirements will be specified in writing at the time of admission to the program.
- GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate degree major courses attempted.
- Three letters of evaluation concerning the applicant's previous academic and professional work.
- A minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL or a 6.5 on the IELTS is required for international applicants whose native language is not English.
- Verification of registration by examination as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) will satisfy criteria 4 above.
Completed applications are reviewed by the Civil Engineering graduate program committee.
Requirements
Program requirements and course descriptions can be found in the UAB Graduate Catalog. MSCE students choose between a thesis (Plan I) and a non-thesis (Plan II) track. Thesis students will research, write, and defend a master's thesis. Non-thesis students will complete non-thesis research and pass a comprehensive examination.
Specializations
The department offers specialization programs in the fields of:
- structural engineering/structural mechanics,
- environmental engineering,
- transportation engineering, and
- construction engineering management.
Supporting courses are offered in geotechnical engineering, optimization, engineering law, and other areas. Information about these concentrations are also found in the Graduate Catalog.
Questions?
For more information on the master's program, contact Nasim Uddin, Ph.D., Professor and director of the graduate program, at (205) 934-8432 or
Master of Engineering in Construction Engineering Management (dual degree)
UAB and Alamein International University (AIU) are offering a unique opportunity to earn a dual Master of Engineering (MEng) in Construction Engineering Management to qualified working professionals who have completed an accredited undergraduate degree from a college or university. Courses will be taught by faculty from UAB, AIU, and the Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC) in Egypt.
Who Should Apply?
- Bachelor's degree holders working for engineering and construction companies seeking careers in construction engineering management
- Engineers and architects seeking advanced project management and business skills
- Construction superintendents and projects managers overseeing small and large projects
- General contractors and subcontractors
- Manufacturing and material suppliers
- Utility company and public works managers
- Women interested in capitalizing on the current industry demand to bridge the gender gap in the construction workforce
Admission Requirements
In addition to the UAB Graduate School admission requirements, requirements for admission to the program leading to the Master of Engineering in Construction Engineering Managment dual degree include the following criteria:
- Bachelor degree from an accredited University in engineering or a closely related field
- An undergraduate GPA or 3.0 or higher (individuals not meeting this requirement but who have a strong professional background, references, and interview may be admitted)
- International students must submit English proficiency scores (i.e., TOEFL, IELTS, PTEA, IELA, or Duolingo scores in accordance with UAB Graduate School re-quirements
- Original transcripts sent directly to both the UAB and AIU Graduate School for degree-seeking students (detailed instructions are included during the online application process)
- Two years of relevant work experience or a bachelor’s in engineering or science-related field
- Personal essay written by the student detailing their interest in the field of construction engineering man-agement with a concentration in sustainable smart cities
- Interview with faculty at HBRC and interview with UAB/AIU faculty via teleconference
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
No GRE is required. Completed applications will be reviewed by the Civil Engineering graduate program committee.
Benefits of Earning a MEng Dual Degree in CEM
- Increase your earning and promotion potential with a MEng in Construction Engineering Man-agement degree
- The 33-hour degree can be completed in 19 months
- This degree is a great alternative to an MBA for working professionals in construction and/or en-gineering careers
- This is a multi-discipline graduate program
- Designed for individuals who want to interact with peers using state-of-the-art instructional methods
- Learn from both USA and Egyptian instructors with years of industry experience.
Questions?
Wesley Zech, Ph.D., LEED AP
Director, CEM
Remon Eskander, Ph.D.
Professor of CEM
Engineering Programs Director
Alamein International University
Ireny Beshara, Ph.D.
Head of Construction & Project Management
Housing & Building National Rsearch Center
Civil engineers are involved in the planning, design, and construction of buildings, bridges, roads, and the evaluation of their operational performance. The Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (CCEE) graduate program offers a distinguished program of study and cutting-edge research covering various facets of civil engineering theory and practice.
Our programs include master's and doctoral programs in Civil Engineering and three online master's programs, a fast track master's degree available to undergraduate students, and certificate programs and continuing education. Program areas include:
- structural engineering,
- environmental engineering,
- transportation engineering, and
- construction engineering management.
A Focus on Research and Careers
Our knowledgeable and experienced group of faculty members work closely with students to help them develop the tools required to succeed professionally in globally competitive work environments. They engage in cutting-edge research covering various facets of Civil Engineering theory and practice.
UAB’s location makes it an ideal environment for civil engineering training and research, providing multiple opportunities to engage with industry experts in construction, transportation, sustainability, structural engineering, and environmental engineering. Graduate students in civil engineering may also take advantage of opportunities for research convergence with researchers from other fields, such as medicine, public health, and other engineering disciplines.
Questions?
Read more in our Graduate Handbook. For additional information on the graduate program, contact Nasim Uddin, Professor of Structural Engineering and director of the graduate program, at (205) 934-8434 or
International Students
One of the best things about UAB is its amazing diversity of its students — we are one of the top most diverse campuses in the United States. We want you to have every opportunity to succeed in your course work and college life. Here are some easy tips for you to follow:
- Visit the UAB International Student and Scholar Services website. They have all sorts of forms, guides, and helpful links to make your life easier.
- Don’t be shy. Let your instructors know that English is your second language.
- Meet regularly with your professors. They are experts and can help!
- Visit the UAB English Language Institute. They will give you assistance with both oral and written English.
- Visit the UAB Writing Center. They have tutors and instructional workshops.
- Consider Graduate School classes for professional development.
- Make friends with fellow graduate students and work in your campus office.
- Frustrated and out of options? UAB student counselors are there for you.
We invite you to explore all of the programs and services offered to international students. International Student and Scholar Services will be able to advise you about how to apply and who to contact for information. Please visit their website, or send general questions to
And remember — you are not alone! There are other international students/non-native English speakers in graduate programs across campus.