Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering

Earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering at Lawrence Technological University can make a difference in your career and open significant leadership opportunities for you in academia, research, and professional practice. The internationally respected faculty at LTU have developed a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering that enhances your analytical abilities and will provide you with unique skills to address complex problems.

A master's degree has long been considered sufficient education for a practicing civil engineer. However, as technology advances, solutions become more complex, and the demand for an educated workforce grows, engineering doctorates are increasingly desired by employers, universities, and research facilities.

Why LTU -
You will participate in and lead pioneering applied research projects that offer exceptional hands-on experience such as projects funded by the National Science Foundation and state transportation departments.
As a national resource for the research, development, and testing of carbon fiber composites and other materials related to infrastructure and defense, LTU's Nabil Grace Center for Innovative Materials Research (CIMR) is where much civil engineering research is conducted.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has designated LTU's Department of Civil Engineering as a Center of Excellence for Sustainable Infrastructure and Structural Testing for its ongoing research to improve the structural integrity and longevity of concrete bridges.
Whether you want to test the strength of structures, study settlement mechanics of bioreactor landfills, develop environmentally sound stormwater management techniques, or initiate your own project, the PhD in Civil Engineering program at Lawrence Tech can provide you with an individually focused research experience.
Lawrence Tech's dedicated faculty, who have rich professional, research, and publications backgrounds, will guide and mentor you throughout the process. The advanced testing facilities, intimate private university atmosphere, and low student-to-faculty ratio can help prepare you to build an exciting civil engineering career.

Students must have a civil engineering background at the undergraduate level. Students with non-civil engineering backgrounds may only be considered on a case-by-case basis under very exceptional circumstances. A Master of Science in Civil Engineering or an equivalent from an accredited college or university. Exceptional students with an earned Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering may be considered for direct admission into the doctoral program. An overall GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale in the master’s degree. Students with lower GPAs may be accepted on a provisional basis as described below.

The following English proficiency test scores are required for students for whom English is a second language: 79 on the TOEFL iBT; 6.0 on the IELTS; 105 on the Duolingo English Test for graduate students.