The program leading to the Master of Science degree in civil engineering requires the complexion of a minimum of 30 credit hours. Among these credit hours, two credit hours of Graduate Seminar and six credit hours for thesis are mandatory. Before entering the program, a student has to select a major field of study among geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, hydraulic engineering, and transportation engineering. He / She then has to complete some core courses required by each of the above four fields. On the basis of his/her own interest and in consultation with a faculty adviser, a student may develop his/her own program of study. In general, attainment of the degree requires two academic years of full-time study.

Unlike one admitted to the master's program, a student does not have to select a major field of study before entering the Ph. D. program. However, he / she has to take a qualifying examination after one year of residence. A student has to pass the qualifying examination within four semesters after entering the program in order to be accepted as a formal Ph. D. candidate. He/She can then work under the guidance of his/ her advisor to prepare for his/her dissertation. With the core courses completed and a dissertation approved by a Ph.D. committee, a Ph.D. student can usually complete his/her study in five years after obtaining the B. S. degree or three to four years after receiving the M. S. degree.