Frequently Asked Questions
CEE Graduate Admissions FAQs
These answers are brief summaries. Potential applicants should follow the links and read the in-depth information at Graduate Admissions.
Where do I find further information?
For University requirements, please thoroughly explore Stanford's Graduate Admissions website.
When may admitted applicants visit Stanford?
CEE Visit Day is held during spring each year. Admitted applicants will be notified of the CEE Visit Day timeline in their letter of acceptance. If you have been admitted and are seriously considering Stanford's CEE program, please reserve this date for your Stanford visit, as we will be unable to accommodate a request to visit at another time.
How long does it take to get the MS degree?
Our MS degree programs can be completed in one academic year (3 quarters). However, most students choose to complete the degree in 4 or 5 quarters.
How many faculty members do you have and how long have they been teaching?
Please see our faculty roster. Our faculty is well-distributed in terms of experience and areas of emphasis.
What sort of job opportunities does the MS degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford usually enable?
Graduates of our department are extremely versatile with regards to their post-MS careers. Our MS graduates enter a range of positions upon graduation, as engineers and consultants in private and public companies of all sizes, government agencies, and non-profits. You will find companies from all sectors actively recruiting Stanford Civil and Environmental Engineering graduates.
What are the application deadlines?
Please check the deadlines provided on the Application Timelines and Deadlines page. No additional applications will be accepted after this deadline.
May I apply to start graduate work in other times of the year than Autumn Quarter?
For programmatic and curricular reasons, admitted students should plan to commence studies at the beginning of the academic year, in September.
Are GRE scores required for admission?
No, the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department does not consider GRE scores.
Are TOEFL scores required for admission?
In general, yes, if your first language is not English. On your application, self-report both your ETS scores and percentages. The Graduate Admissions website has further details about the university-wide test requirements and exceptions. Any request for a TOEFL waiver must to directed to central Graduate Admissions. Individual academic departments may not approve requests for waivers. In general, there is a high expectation for English language fluency in both formal use and informal interactions, in written and oral situations. One of the key goals of our educational programs is the further development of communication skills in English and ongoing opportunities are built into the curriculum.
For applicants applying to MS programs within the School of Engineering at Stanford, the minimum TOEFL scores are 89 (internet-based TOEFL test) and 575 (paper-based TOEFL test).
Can I submit IELTS scores instead of TOEFL scores?
No, Stanford does not accept the IELTS.
My transcripts are not in English. Will you accept them?
Transcripts must be submitted with English translations from your school or a professional translating service. The translations must be literal, complete versions of the original documents.
What about Financial Aid?
Please see our Graduate Funding page. You can find additional information on the Stanford Financial Aid website.
What is the usual size of the incoming Civil and Environmental Engineering MS Class?
The typical MS cohort ranges from 20-60 MS students depending on the MS program.
Where do I have supplemental materials sent for my application?
All materials are to be submitted electronically as part of the application. Official paper transcripts are not required unless admission is offered.
Do I need to submit a financial support form or other proof of ability to pay?
Do not submit documents detailing financial support or ability to pay when applying. If you are accepted into Stanford, we will inform you of the information we need and send you the necessary forms. Do not send financial statements in advance.
When will I find out about the decision on my application?
Applicants can expect to hear from us in early March. All applicants must maintain current and correct email addresses so we can communicate with you via email. MS decision letters are posted on your ApplyWeb account. Eng and PhD decision letters will be sent by email.
What if I have further questions?
For further general information on admission to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, contact cee-admissions@stanford.edu or call the department at 650-723-3074.
If you have MS program-specific questions after reading the information on our web site, please contact that MS program directly by sending an email to:
| Program | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere and Energy | ttsung2@stanford.edu (Tim Tsung) |
| Environmental Engineering | enveng-admissions@lists.stanford.edu |
| Sustainable Design & Construction | gwtuttle@stanford.edu (Geoffrey Tuttle) |
| Structural Engineering and Mechanics | kvonner@stanford.edu (Kim Vonner) |