The information on this page pertains to applications for the M.S. and Ph.D. programs. The next
available terms of entry are Spring 2025 and Fall 2025, and the application will open in July 2024.
Those interested in earning a M.Eng. degree should visit the Maryland Applied Graduate Engineering (MAGE) website.
2025 Application Deadlines
- January 15, 2025 is the preferred deadline for best consideration for financial aid.
- January 30, 2025 is the final deadline for all international students to apply. This includes F-1 and J-1 students currently studying elsewhere in the United States.
- May 1, 2025 is the final deadline for U.S. citizens and permanent residents to apply.
- September 1, 2024 is the preferred deadline for best consideration for financial aid.
- September 17, 2024 is the final deadline for all international students to apply. This includes F-1 and J-1 students currently studying elsewhere in the United States.
- October 15, 2024 is the final deadline for U.S. citizens and permanent residents to apply.
Minimum Admission Requirements
All applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree, typically in engineering, physical sciences, mathematics, or other quantitative fields, from an accredited institution.
Students who do not already hold a degree in engineering or science may be considered for provisional admission if the technical division minimum prerequisites are successfully completed.Students completing our M.S. program must reapply online to continue studies in the Ph.D. program. All transcripts are obtained automatically, but you will need to provide additional letters of recommendation and an updated personal statement. Other documents may be required. A student must secure a research advisor to be accepted to the Ph.D. program.
GPA Requirements
- M.S.: 3.0 (out of 4.0) *
- Ph.D.: 3.5 (out of 4.0) *
While not guaranteed, applicants with lower GPAs or GRE scores may be considered for provisional admission if other indicators of ability—letters of recommendation, prior experience, etc.—are exceptional.
*International applicants should enter their GPA in the same scale as it appears on their transcript.
All international credentials are evaluated by The Graduate School prior to admission.
Focus Area Prerequisites
- Prerequisites determined on a case-by-case basis based on applicant’s interests and background.
- Demonstrated knowledge of single and multivariable calculus, probability/statistics, basic mechanics, computer programming, linear algebra, and optimization is preferred.
- All: Calculus I, II, and III, differential equations and fluid mechanics
- Applicants interested in Environmental Engineering: one semester of chemistry, and one semester of physics (preferably calculus-based). Other courses may be required depending on student background and experience.
- Applicants interested in Water Resources: groundwater hydrology and hydrologic engineering.
- Prerequisites determined on a case-by-case basis based on applicant’s interests and background.
- Applicants interested in Structural Engineering: mechanics, structural analysis, concrete structures, and steel structures.
Calculus I, II, and III, probability and statistics.
Calculus I, II, and III, probability and statistics, a course in physics covering basic mechanics, and one course in computer programming.
Application Instructions and Required Materials
You can find the Graduate School application here. When creating your application account, ensure that your name matches the name listed on your official, government-issued identification.
The admissions committee will only review complete applications. The application is considered complete once it has been submitted and all required materials have been received:
• $75 application fee
• Transcripts
• Resume/CV
• Statement of Purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official English proficiency test scores – required for applicants who do not hold a degree from an institution in the U.S. or another English-speaking country, regardless of citizenship status.
Official GRE scores are optional. The committee will review applications that are otherwise complete without waiting for GRE scores.
Application Sections
Select the following to ensure you’re choosing the right program:
Application Type = “Degree”
Level of Study = “Masters” or “Doctoral”
Intended Program of Study = “Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENCE), M.S.” or “Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENCE), Ph.D.”
Select entrance term and Area of Interest
• Area of Interest should reflect your intended research interests, and will help determine how the committee reviews your application.
Input Faculty Interests
• Although it is not required, we strongly encourage applicants to identify one or two faculty members with whom they might be interested in working.
Enter the name of school, degree earned (or in progress), and GPA for each institution attended.
• International applicants: Enter your GPA in the same scale as it appears on your transcript. All international credentials are evaluated by The Graduate School prior to admission.
Upload complete transcripts for each degree.
• International applicants: include copies of degree certificates, and official English translations of any transcripts issued in another language.
Upload Statement of Purpose and resume/CV.
Enter the names and email addresses for three recommenders.
Once entered, the system will send an automatic notification email from gradappsupport@umd.edu with the subject line "University of Maryland - Request for Recommendation".
We encourage you to contact these individuals in advance to ensure the provider is willing to write a letter of recommendation.
This section is not required for our departmental review process. All applications received by the preferred deadline are automatically considered for funding through graduate research and teaching assistantships, and sometimes fellowships, but funding is not guaranteed for any applicant.
Self-reported tests scores are not required.
Please note:
• Official GRE scores are optional. The committee will review applications that are otherwise complete without waiting for GRE scores.
• Official English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE) are required for applicants who do not hold a degree from an institution in the U.S. or another English-speaking country, regardless of citizenship status.
These sections are required by The Graduate School. Please fill them out accordingly.
Application Review Process
Complete applications are reviewed by a departmental graduate committee and faculty from each focus area. Applications that the graduate committee have recommended for admission are sent to The Graduate School for final review.
Applicants are notified of The Graduate School’s final decision on a rolling basis through their online application portal. Applicants whose application was complete before the preferred deadline (above) can expect to receive a notification of admission or rejection between February and May for the Fall semester and September and November for the Spring semester.
Admission letters from The Graduate School will not include any information about funding.
• If the department has decided to offer funding along with an admission offer, the applicant will a separate email from ceegradstudies@umd.edu containing an official funding offer.
• Admitted students who do not receive a separate funding letter have been admitted to the program without funding from the department.
Incomplete applications and applications from international students who are not cleared for admission will be withdrawn by June 1 for the Fall semester and December 1 for the Spring semester. Applicants who do not register for the semester for which they are admitted will also have their admission cancelled.
