Graduate Degree Programs Overview
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department is an international leader in many areas, including Risk and Reliability Engineering and Nuclear Waste Management. Graduate students seeking M.S., M.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees are engaged in thesis or dissertation research corresponding to one of the ongoing research areas of the department, and have the opportunities to work with our world-renowned faculty.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Science (M.S.)
Degrees are offered through the Graduate School and require a combination of coursework and a thesis.
Master of Engineering
Non-thesis based degree is offered through the School of Engineering.
At the graduate level, the department educates leaders in infrastructure and environmental engineering research and practice, with emphasis on the use of reliability and risk management. Reliability and risk management include engineering design, uncertainty analysis, construction and repair, life-cycle and cost benefit analysis, information management and fundamental phenomena intrinsic to the understanding of advanced infrastructure and environmental systems.
Areas of Emphasis
Program Highlights
Graduate Application Deadlines and Fees
Fall admission | January 1* |
Fall admission offers | Early March |
Deadline to accept admission | Apr. 15 |
FAQ for Prospective Students
Steps for New CEE Graduate Students
Other Resources
Make sure to check your email regularly as additional communications and updates will be sent over the summer before fall classes begin.
Graduate Student Council
Financial Support & Fellowships
Vanderbilt University expends its awards and assistantship funds for the twin purposes of attracting superior students and providing assistance to the faculty in instruction and research. Full financial aid for graduate students in Civil & Environmental Engineering seeking a PhD degree covers tuition, stipend, health insurance, and some incidental fees. This financial aid can be in the form of Teaching or Research Assistantship. In the case of exceptionally qualified applicants, the financial aid is, sometimes “topped” with additional support from VU as Scholarship or Fellowship. MS students students receive a tuition scholarship of $2,500/semester and MEng students are eligible for a 50% tuition scholarship.
Some graduate students receive scholarships or fellowships sponsored by external governmental or private agencies like National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, IBM and other organizations.
Fellowships and Assistantships described below are awarded on the basis of academic merit and potential for scholarship
Details on the various programs listed below can be found on the Graduate School at Vanderbilt web pages.
- University Tuition Scholarships
- University Fellowships
- Graduate Teaching Assistantships
- Graduate Research Assistantships
- Traineeships
- Topping Up Awards
International Student and Scholar Services
Year-round social and cultural activities are sponsored through this office:
Email: isss@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: 615-322-2753
Contact Us
Gabriel Luis
Director of Graduate Recruiting
Assistant Dean for Graduate Education
Official GEM Representative
(615) 343-3128
PMB 351826
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37235-1826