How To Apply

Graduate Program: How to Apply

Standardized Tests | Getting an Application | What we are Looking for | Schedule for Applying | Financial Aid

Applying to Our Graduate Program

Students interested in applying to our graduate program should visit the UNH Graduate School website for more information or to begin the online application process.

Taking standardized tests

GRE
We require all our students to take the Graduate Records Examination or GRE. Students can find out more about this test by visiting GRE.org. In rare cases, GRE scores can be temporarily waived allowing for an application to be processed without them. However, it is strongly suggested that interested students take the GRE's before submitting an applicaiton.

TOEFL
Students not fluent in english are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. All courses at the graduate level are taught in english, therefore it is important for students to be able to understand, read, write, and speak english. To learn more about this exam, visit TOEFL.org.

Getting an application

U.S. Citizens
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can request or download an application directly from the Graduate School's website.

International Students
All prospective international students are required to go through a pre-application process. This process includes completing a pre-application form, which can be found here. Once completed, the pre-application form will be reviewed by the graduate coordinator, and if it is approved, a full application for admission may be submitted.

What we are looking for

The Department of Civil Engineering does not have specific requirements for admission into a graduate program. However, the following criteria are preferred:

  • A bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited institution.
  • A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better or class rank for international students coming from institutions that do not use a 4.0 scale.
  • Strong GRE scores (For international applicants a combined score of 2000 or above.)
  • If applicable, a TOEFL score of 600 or better.
  • Letters of recommendation.
  • A well-written statement of purpose which clearly states that you have a solid command of the English language, and your reason for seeking a graduate degree, specific areas of interest, and why you have interest in that area.

Schedule for Applying

Up-to-date information, including deadlines, can be found at the Graduate School's website.

We only rarely bring in new graduate students for the spring semester. You should plan on applying for a fall semester. Given that, here are some general guidelines:

Summer, 1 year prior:

  • Research schools
  • Sign up for the GRE and TOEFL exams

Early fall, 1 year prior:

  • Take the GRE and TOEFL exams
  • Get application forms
  • Identify people who can provide letters of recommendation

Late fall, 1 year prior:

  • Give recommendation forms to the people who will recommend you
  • Request transcripts from universities and colleges you attended
  • Fill out the application
  • Arrange to pay the application fee

Early January, 8 months prior

  • Submit an application
  • Pay application fee
  • Submit all required transcripts in sealed envelopes
  • Submit recommendations in sealed envelopes
  • Provide a statement of residence form or supplementary information Form if necessary

The official deadline for full consideration of the application and requests for financial support is generally February 15th. Applications are accepted until July 1st, with a recommended deadlines of April 1st.

Financial Aid

Financial support usually comes in the form of either a teaching assistantship (TA) or research assistantship (RA). As an RA or TA, a student is committed to working an average of 20 hours per week. This includes, but is not limited to, holding office hours, running laboratory and recitation sections, and grading assignments.

The number of assistantship positions available varies from year to year, depending on the University's budget and current research. As the number of positions varies, so does the number of accepted applicants, and therefore it is impossible to estimate the odds that any particular applicant will receive an offer of financial aid.