CEE Graduate Degree Requirements

Program Requirements
The Penn State CEE department offers the following graduate degree options: Master of Engineering (M.Eng.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). General descriptions for each of these degrees are provided below. Detailed descriptions of the requirements specific to each discipline within CEE can be found within the Graduate Academic Programs pages.

M.Eng. Degree
The M.Eng. degree is intended to be a professional degree composed of a well-balanced, unified, and complete program of study leading to advanced professional practice. Students must complete 30 credits of graduate course work (15 credits of which must be at the 500-level), present a writing portfolio, and satisfy the other academic program requirements outlined in the Graduate Student Handbook. While full-time students can complete the program in two semesters, part-time students take longer.

M.S. Degree
The M.S. degree program is a blend of graduate level course work and research. Students must complete 30 graduate credits (18 credits of which must be at the 500 and/or 600-level, combined), prepare and orally defend a thesis, and satisfy the other academic program requirements outlined in the Graduate Student Handbook. Typically, an M.S. degree takes 1 ½ to 2 years to complete.

Ph.D. Degree
The Ph.D. degree program is strongly oriented towards research. In addition to meeting course requirements specific to their discipline, Ph.D. students must also successfully pass the Candidacy Exam, Comprehensive Exam, Final Oral Exam, write a dissertation, and satisfy the other academic program requirements outlined in the Graduate Student Handbook. The duration of the program varies from three to five years depending on the student’s background and professional interests.