The UAB CCEE department offers a remote PhD program designed for ambitious professionals wishing to advance their academic and professional journey. Our flexible online format allows students to pursue cutting-edge research without relocating, giving them the freedom to balance work, life, and study.

Our program emphasizes rigorous scholarship, innovation, and real-world impact across diverse disciplines. State-of-the-art online resources, instruction by distinguished faculty experts, and personalized mentorship prepare program participants to make meaningful contributions to academia, industry, and society.

This program is particularly suitable for graduates who hold an MS degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline, have been in the workforce for a number of years and are looking to deepen their expertise so that they can drive innovation, or transform their present career trajectory.

Program participants will use online resources to meet the program requirements. All program courses will be delivered online using the Canvas virtual learning environment, which is hosted by UAB. Students will meet with their faculty advisor on a regular basis via Zoom or similar technology. Remote proctoring and online oral exams will be available to assist students to meet their degree requirements including comprehensive exam, dissertation proposal exam, and dissertation defense.

Students will need a personal computer and a reliable internet connection. In addition, students will need speakers or headphones, a camera, a microphone for your computer, and an active email account.

• Dr. Seyed Hooman Ghasemi
• Dr. Jason Thomas Kirby
• Dr. Jialei Shen
• Dr. Muhammad M. Sherif
• Dr. Virginia P. Sisiopiku
• Dr. Nasim Uddin
• Dr. Moiz Usmani
• Dr. Wesley C. Zech
• Dr. Avinash Unnikrishnan

Professional applicants with a strong work ethic who meet the following requirements will be considered for admission:

• Hold a master’s degree in civil engineering or a related field
• Have earned a GPA of 3.5 or better (out of a possible 4.0) in graduate degree program
• Reside in the U.S. and/or do not require immigration assistance. No visa/immigration assistance will be provided for program participation.

Students admitted to the CCEE Remote PhD are expected to be self-funded or sponsored by their employers as they will not be eligible for research or teaching assistantships through UAB.

Prior to application, interested students must schedule an interview with the program director. The interview will be conducted remotely and will give an opportunity for a preliminary assessment to determine if the prospective student is a good fit for the program. For more information check Application Process below.

Students invited to apply will do so through the UAB Graduate School Website. Applicants should meet all other UAB CCEE PhD admission requirements.

Credit requirements match the requirements for the traditional (on-campus) PhD program. The program requires 27 credit hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree, plus a minimum of 24 credit hours of dissertation research. All students in the CCEE Remote PhD program are expected to complete the following:

• 12 credits of Core Courses focusing on Systems Analysis for Engineers and Scientists (I and II); Research Methods; and Principles of Research Ethics (GRD 717)
• 9 credits of Course Electives (CE; CECM; CESC; CESE; GRD; ENH)
• Written Qualifying Exam (when coursework is completed)
• 6 credits of Non-Dissertation Research (CE 798)
• Oral Qualifying Exam (Proposal Defense, when Non-Dissertation Research credits are completed)
• 24 credits of Dissertation Research (CE 799) after successful completion of Oral Qualifying Exam and admission to candidacy
• Oral Defense of Dissertation.

Following a successful defense, the student has 10 working days to revise the dissertation and submit its approved form to the Graduate School.

Detailed tuition Information can be found at: https://www.uab.edu/cost-aid/cost/detailed-tuition-fees#graduate