The Lyles School introduces a combined degree program

To provide CE undergraduates an efficient avenue for postgraduate education, the Lyles School of Civil Engineering has established a combined degree program.

Starting with the 2019-20 school year, Purdue Civil Engineering offers a combined BSCE plus MSCE degree program. The integrated program allows students to earn their master’s degree along with their bachelor’s in as little as five years.

The combined degree program allows students to dual-count up to two graduate-level courses between the BSCE and MSCE coursework requirements, thereby reducing the overall time required for the master’s degree. This option is available only to civil engineering undergraduates enrolled at the West Lafayette campus.

Dulcy Abraham, professor of civil engineering and chair of the Christopher B. and Susan S. Burke Graduate Program, says this new initiative is designed to ensure that motivated students can maximize their educational experience.

“Purdue Civil Engineering has some of the most motivated students in all of the University,” Abraham says.

“Many of these undergrad students have shown they are willing and able to work on their postgraduate degree, and we want to facilitate them every way we can. Through this combined degree program, our high-achieving students will not only deepen their understanding of civil engineering, but they will also be able to take what they’ve learned and apply it to future research or their chosen career fields.”

Donald Fuerstenau, a student enrolled in the combined program, says the new fast track offered by the Lyles School was exactly what he was looking for.

“I chose Purdue Civil Engineering because of its reputation for both education and the success rate of its graduating students,” Fuerstenau says. “When I learned that I could enhance my studies and pursue my career faster at the same time, I knew this was a perfect opportunity for me.”

Students may apply to the program in their fifth semester, typically the fall semester of the junior year. Upon admission to the Christopher B. and Susan S. Burke Graduate Program, starting in semesters seven and eight (the senior year), the student will have dual-degree status. After completing the BSCE degree requirements in semester eight, students earn their bachelor’s degree and then have graduate status starting in semester nine.

Visit bit.ly/combined-degree for more information.