Program Overview: In civil engineering, programs for the Doctor of Philosophy are offered in environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, and water resources engineering. Details of procedures are listed below.

1. The student must select one of four focus areas and identify his/her advisor by the end of the first semester of enrollment.
2. Before earning 10 semester hours of course work towards the Ph.D., the student must submit his/her ‘Plan of Study’ and form the Dissertation Committee in close collaboration with the student’s academic advisor. The make-up of the committee must follow the College’s guidelines, except for the fact that one member must come from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU).
3. By the end of the second semester the student must take a written ‘Qualifying Exam.’ This will test mastery of necessary fundamentals to pursue the Ph.D. degree. The subject areas of the exam will be determined by the Dissertation Committee, based on the student’s specialty area. A student who fails in the exam will have one more opportunity to take and pass the exam. Remedial courses may be required before retaking the exam.
4. A total of 54 semester hours is required beyond the M.S. level for a doctoral degree, with 24 hours coming from coursework and 30 hours resulting from the dissertation research. At least half of the courses must be at the 600 level or higher, including a minimum of 6 hours at the 700 level or higher. No more than two dual-listed 500 level courses are permitted for the Ph.D. degree. Up to 6 credit hours of coursework may be taken outside the Civil Engineering department. It is strongly recommended that the student’s Plan of Study include course(s) offered through the collaboration with CWRU.
5. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in the program. No credit hours below a C may be counted toward the Ph.D.
6. Following the completion of the majority of the coursework, a student is required to take and pass a written and oral ‘Comprehensive Exam.’ This examination will test the candidate’s knowledge of advanced coursework, his/her ability to integrate knowledge from courses, and his/her ability to work independently in the specialty area. The examination will be prepared and administered by the student’s Dissertation Committee. 
7. After completion of the comprehensive exam, a written Research Proposal must be submitted and presented orally to the Dissertation Committee for evaluation and review.
8. Thirty credit hours of a Ph.D. candidate’s required work will be in advanced research culminating in a dissertation. 

Through this endeavor the Ph.D. candidate should be challenged to become a leading expert in his/her research topic, become competent in the scientific method for discovery of engineering principles, be able to design and execute experiments, demonstrate the ability to independently direct research, become conversant in the body of literature, and be able to defend his/her research work, and stand as a significant and unique contribution to the body of civil engineering knowledge. A written dissertation must be prepared. At the oral defense the candidate will present his/her research findings and answer questions. The oral presentation will be open to the university community. Approval of the dissertation will not occur if either the dissertation advisor, the College representative, or two members of the advisory committee members do not ratify the dissertation.

Admissions Policy: For admission the student should have excellent academic records, demonstrated skills in oral and written English, and an aptitude for research. GRE results, TOEFL results, transcripts from all previously attended universities, a resume, and letters of reference must be submitted by the applicant for review by the Civil Engineering Department Graduate Committee. A majority vote on the committee will determine whether the applicant will be admitted unconditionally, admitted conditionally, or denied admission.

Change Policy: No selective or limited admission requirements.

Transfer Policy: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Opportunities: The doctoral degree program in Civil Engineering at Ohio University will prepare students for advanced engineering/research work in industry, government, or academia.