PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering
PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Overview
The Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD program at Northeastern University is flexible and may be adapted to any subject area in civil and environmental engineering. The Graduate School of Engineering also offers an interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy degree involving substantial work in two or more academic departments or disciplines (Interdisciplinary Engineering, PhD).
Innovative Curriculum
Students admitted to the program are involved in cutting edge research, often interdisciplinary, in all areas of civil and environmental engineering. Awarding of the Doctor of Philosophy degree is based on ability to formulate, execute, and communicate original research as well as have strong performance in course work.
For more information on the structure and requirements of the doctoral program, please see the Graduate Catalog or contact the Civil and Environmental Engineering Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.
- Ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems.
- Ability to explain and apply engineering principles.
- Ability to identify, motivate, formulate, and solve important problems, through original, independent, use-inspired scholarly research.
Funding is available for graduate students focused on research in the form of graduate research assistantships, graduate teaching assistantships, and fellowships.
- CEE Chair’s Select Stipend for Professional Development
Awarded for merit, incoming Ph.D. students have the opportunity to receive for their personal professional development one-time stipend funds of $5,000. These funds provide agency for the students to pursue significant professional development at key junctures in their program. - CEE Professional Development Fund
Once enrolled, all Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD students have the opportunity to apply to receive funds for reimbursement of allowable professional development expenses. These funds provide agency for the students to pursue additional professional development during their program. - PhD Network Travel Funding Match
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering provides matching funding to the Ph.D. Network and research project for travel support, up to $500/student per year. - CEE Department Graduate Awards and Ceremony
Departmental awards for excellence in research, teaching, and leadership, with monetary honorariums, are awarded to selected MS and PhD students at the conclusion of each academic year at the CEE Graduate Awards Ceremony.
The department offers Graduate Fellowships to PhD and MS/PhD applicants. These prestigious Graduate Fellowships include integrated research and teaching to foster a comprehensive graduate education. All applicants are considered automatically for the fellowship program. It is strongly recommended that applicants interested in funding within the department via fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Experiential Learning
Northeastern combines rigorous academics with experiential learning and research to prepare students for real world engineering challenges including industry experience as part of the co-op program or an internship. The Cooperative Education Program, also known as a “co-op,” is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of only a few that offers a Co-op Program for graduate students. Through this program, students gain professional experience employed in their field of interest as part of the academic curriculum. Northeastern has over 3,000 co-op employer partners in a wide variety of organizations, from large companies to entrepreneurial start-ups. Students can also participate in the university’s Experiential PhD program.
CEE PhD Workshop
To celebrate the outstanding work of our students, each year a workshop for PhD students is hosted by the department that includes a research expo, professional development presentations, panel discussions on academic and industry careers, and related topics.
Academic Advising
The Academic Advisors in the Graduate Student Services office can help answer many of your questions and assist with various concerns regarding your program and student record. Use the link below to also determine which questions can be answered by your Faculty Program Advisors and OGS Advisors.
Admissions & Aid
Ready to take the next step? Review degree requirements to see courses needed to complete this degree. Then, explore ways to fund your education. Finally, review admissions information to see our deadlines and gather the materials you need to Apply.
Student News
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The Sustainability and Data Sciences Laboratory presented at a United Nations event on disaster risk reduction, highlighting the importance of data-driven climate resilience and resilient infrastructure.
PhD Spotlight: Sadia Khan, PhD’22 – Civil and Environmental Engineering
Originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sadia Khan graduated from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and served as a lecturer at the University of Asia Pacific in Dhaka. She joined the civil and environmental engineering PhD program at Northeastern in 2017. Under the guidance of Professor Edward Beighley, civil […]
PhD Spotlight: Cassie Nickles, PhD’21 – Civil Engineering
Cassie Nickles’ research focused on large-scale river networks and hydrologic applications enabled by NASA’s upcoming Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission. In the four years of her PhD, she published four articles in top journals: Remote Sensing, Water Resources Research, and Geophysical Research Letters. She also presented her findings at ten conferences, nationally and internationally. From connections made at these conferences, she had the opportunity to intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the summer of 2020.
Using Floating Wetlands to Combat Algae Blooms
Max Rome, PhD’21, civil engineering, is leading a team of Northeastern researchers to create a visually impactful floating wetland on the Charles River to serve as a model to support water ecosystems, including combating algae blooms.