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Civil Engineering (Ph.D.)

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Illinois Tech’s Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering degree is awarded in recognition of a high level of mastery in the field of civil engineering and upon demonstration of a distinct ability to make substantial creative contributions to knowledge in the field.

The doctoral recipient will be capable of continuing efforts toward the advancement of knowledge and continuing achievement in research and other scholarly activities. This program is appropriate for students with master's degrees in civil engineering who are interested in pursuing an academic or industrial research career.

Our doctoral degree can be pursued in any of the following five major areas: architectural, construction, structural, geotechnical, and transportation engineering.

Program Overview

This program is appropriate for students with master's degrees in civil engineering interested in pursuing an academic or industrial research career. Students can select to focus on any of the five major areas: architectural, construction, structural, geotechnical, and transportation engineering.

Career Opportunities

Our Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering degree program will prepare you for academic or industrial research careers, such as:

  • Senior structural analysis engineer
  • Research & development reliability engineer
  • Senior R&D engineer
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As part of the Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering program, research will be conducted under the supervision of a full-time faculty member and students should work to involve all members of their research committee.

The preliminary thesis draft and thesis defense must meet the approval of all members of the research committee.

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To be admitted to candidacy, students must pass a qualifying examination, which involves an oral presentation of two research papers selected by the student's adviser. The qualifying examination is administered by a research committee approved by the chairperson. The results of the exam will determine the student's potential for success in the doctoral program.

Faezehossadat Khademi
Bridge Rating Engineer, CN Railway

Faeze Khademi never forgot her goal of becoming one of the top experts in her field—hard work and dedication contributed to her completing a doctoral degree in less than three years.

Faeze Khademi (M.S. Civil Engineering ’15, Ph.D. Civil Engineering ’17)