Master of Science degree (thesis)

• Requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of advisor-approved graduate courses including a minimum of four credit hours of thesis (CIVL 7990)
• A maximum of six credit hours of thesis (CIVL 7990) can be counted toward meeting the degree requirement
• Each student should work closely with the major professor (committee chair) and use the worksheet (from the Graduate School) to plan for courses taken at AU, transfer courses from other institutions, exceptions, requirements, and graduation date prior to submitting the Committee Selection Form.
• Effective January 1, 2020, a plan of study is no longer required by the Graduate School.  At least one semester before graduation, the student must complete and submit the Committee, Transfers, Exceptions and Candidacy (CTEC) Form, which identifies the student, committee chair (major professor), two committee members, possible transfer courses, or exceptions. At least two of the committee members must be members of the Auburn University graduate faculty.
• It is recommended that an MS student should submit the Committee Selection Form as early as possible after determining the committee chair (major professor) for the MS research program. Consult the major professor for selecting the other two advisory committee members.
• Completion and defense of a thesis: Must pass an on-campus comprehensive oral examination covering course work and the thesis (report the examination results using Form 9).
• No language requirement
• The distance MS degree program is available from the fall semester of 2021. The distance MS requirements and expectations will be the same as the on-campus MS degree. A distance MS applicant should submit a letter from his/her major professor (a faculty member), otherwise, the application will not be reviewed.  The letter is to state that a specific faculty agrees to supervise a specific student for the distance MS degree program (serving as a major professor).
• Should submit a graduation check request to the Graduate School prior to the semester of expected graduation. Graduation day is the official last day of each semester. A distance MS applicant should submit a letter from his/her major professor (a faculty member), otherwise, the application will not be reviewed.  The letter is to state that a specific faculty agrees to supervise a specific student for the distance MS degree (serving as a major professor).

• Special requirements (prerequisites) for students holding college degrees in fields other than civil and environmental engineering