Online MSCE Admissions Requirements

Decisions for admission into the graduate program are based upon an applicant's holistic experiences, which can include prior academic performance, industry experience, research experience etc., as well as the strength of your recommendation letters and statements of purpose.

Application Deadlines

Fall

July 15

Spring

December 1

Summer

April 1

Criteria for Admissions

  • Applicants must hold an accredited bachelor's degree in an appropriate area (Engineering, Life Science, or Technology)
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent (A=4.0).
  • A strong foundation in Mathematics is required for success in an engineering curriculum. If your bachelor’s degree is a non-ABET accredited engineering degree (or international equivalent), we require that you have taken Calculus I and Calculus II (MA 16500 and MA 16600 at Purdue) and highly encourage a Differential Equations and/or Linear Algebra course (MA26600 and/or MA 26500 at Purdue) at the undergraduate level.

How to Apply

Apply at the Application Management page using the campus and program information below. You can return to finish an incomplete application or check the status of a submitted application using the same page.

  • Campus: Purdue West Lafayette
  • Proposed Graduate Major:  Civil Engineering
  • Area of Interest: Infrastructure, Resiliency and Sustainability OR Smart Mobility OR Sustainable Water
  • Degree Objective:  Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)
  • Course Delivery: Distance (online or off-campus location)

Required Application Materials

2 Statements of Purpose

3 Recommenders

  • Your references should be persons who can assess your academic potential such as faculty members, academic staff, supervisors, industry leaders, employers, or advisors.
  • Contact information for each recommender should be submitted within the online application. Recommenders will be contacted with instructions on how to upload their recommendation materials to the application portal.
  • Review the Graduate School's Recommendation Letters page for more information.

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts are required from all institutions attended, including transfer credits. An official transcript must be sent directly from your previous institution to Purdue using one of the submission methods below.

  • Those with international transcripts should supply transcripts in both their original language and an English translation, if applicable.
  • During the application process you may upload unofficial transcripts (also referred to as personal copies of your official transcripts). You are still required to request additional official transcripts directly from your previous institution(s) by the end of your second semester to avoid registration holds. Academic progress reports and unofficial transcripts from student accounts are not acceptable for upload.
  • Review the Graduate School's Transcript page for more information.

To submit official transcripts:

or

  • Mail official, unopened transcripts directly from your previous institution to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
Purdue University Graduate School
West Lafayette, IN 47907

Resume

  • 1 – 2 pages in length

Prerequisites, if applicable

  • Math Background: Three semesters of Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra
  • Engineering Background: Preferred undergraduate background in Engineering, Physical Sciences or a related field. Other course prerequisites may apply depending on the classes you choose to enroll in.

TOEFL or IELTS Scores (International Students Only)

This requirement is waived for applicants who have received a baccalaureate degree or graduate or professional degree, within the last 36 months at the time of recommendation for admission, from a school where English is the primary language of instruction in a country/location where English is the native language.  Please note that the overall score and all the subsection scores must be met in one test instance.  The Purdue Graduate School will not accept MyBest scores.

  • Option A: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
    The Graduate School accepts valid* TOEFL scores earned through the Internet-based test. The minimum Internet-Based Test (iBT) scores required for admission are the following:
    • Writing 18
    • Speaking 18
    • Listening 14
    • Reading 19
    • Total 90

Purdue University West Lafayette's code for the TOEFL application is 1631.

  • Option B: International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
    The Graduate School also accepts valid* International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores (Academic Module).
    An overall band score of 7.0 is required for admission with the following minimum section requirements:
    • Reading 6.5
    • Listening 6.0
    • Speaking 6.5
    • Writing 5.5

The official test score report can be uploaded to the online application under Miscellaneous Supporting Documents, sent electronically to the Office of International Students and Scholars, or the hard copy score report can be mailed directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
*To be valid for admission, English proficiency test scores (TOEFL and IELTS) must be no more than two years old at the time the recommendation for admission is received at the Graduate School.

  • A copy of any diplomas or provisional certificates if diplomas have not been awarded, in original language and in English (international applicants only)

Application Fee

  • Nonrefundable $60 fee for domestic applicants and $75 fee for international applicants
  • Review the Graduate School's Application Fee page for more information

For additional details about application materials, please visit the How to Apply Graduate School webpage.