PhD in Civil Engineering (PhD)

For PhD Civil Engineering, applications for the Nov 2026 intake close on Nov 15, 2026, while tuition is Transfer credits accepted; up to 24 credit hours from a master’s degree can be transferred to the Ph.D..

This program is designed for students with a strong background in engineering or a related field who seek advanced research training. It focuses on solving real-world challenges in infrastructure, environmental systems, and sustainable design through rigorous research. Students engage in experimental testing, simulation, and modeling across key engineering domains. They work closely with faculty on projects with national and international impact.

Focus areas include Environmental and water resources engineering, Structural and earthquake engineering, Transportation engineering, Geotechnical engineering, Computational materials science, Intelligent transportation systems.

The program requires 72 credit hours, including coursework, research, and dissertation work. Up to 24 credit hours from a master’s degree may be transferred with committee approval.

Graduates pursue careers in research, university teaching, government agencies, and industry roles focused on infrastructure and environmental systems.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or its international equivalent. A minimum overall GPA of 3.2 is required. The application includes a statement of purpose, autobiographical statement, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and a resume.

The programme totals about 72 credit hours. On-campus, full-time. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 35% of applicants.

Howard University’s legacy is shaped by academic study, research, and service. Its community includes scholars, student researchers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs. The university carries the identity of an HBCU while preparing students for study and careers across a broad range of disciplines. Alumni stories include physicians, astrophysicists, educators, lawyers, public officials, and advocates whose work has reached beyond the campus.

Students can apply to more than 130 areas of study across 14 schools and colleges. Howard offers undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral programs, with fields ranging from the humanities to scientific disciplines. Research and centers address health and medical issues, economic disparities, cybersecurity, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, drug abuse, energy systems, accounting and finance, women’s leadership, and journalism and democracy. The university has also launched an AI certificate program for undergraduate students.

Located in Washington, DC, Howard connects academic life with a city central to American government, public service, journalism, and cultural life. International students should review the university’s range of schools and degree levels carefully, since programs differ across undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral study. Howard’s guiding phrase, “Excellence in Truth and Service,” reflects the university’s emphasis on student success and service to local and global communities.