Q: I am currently a senior-level student that is graduating soon and would like to join the B+M program. Who do I talk to about that?
A: We will consider senior-level students that meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in joining the B+M Pathway program, but acceptance is not guaranteed. Please complete this application form and we will review your request.
Q: What 500-level graduate courses apply to the B+M program?
A: The CEE Master's program requires meeting the appropriate core and elective course requirements for an individual specialty area in structural, geotechnical, transportation, or environmental and water resources engineering. Students admitted to the B+M program will meet with an advisor and select CE 500-level graduate core courses in their specialization. Approved core courses are listed in the CEE Graduate Program of Study Guide.
Q: What if the graduate course I want to take is not listed as a core course in the CEE Graduate Program of Study Guide?
A: Registering for a CE course that is not listed as a core course requires prior approval from the CEE Department; requests should be sent to ceedept@pdx.edu prior to the start of the term.
Q. How is graduate coursework different from undergraduate coursework?
A. Graduate coursework will require more time and effort. It is less prescribed and requires self-direction, such as finding your own source material, taking initiative, and spending more time researching. A 4-credit graduate course will feel more like 6 undergraduate credits of coursework. Likewise, "full-time" for graduate students is 9 credits (as opposed to 12 for undergraduates). Keep this in mind when you register for graduate courses in your senior year. We encourage you to meet with the instructor before taking any 500-level course.
Q. How, when, and why do I apply to the Graduate Program?
A. We only know if you plan to join the Graduate Program when you apply. The application is free for B+M students and you can apply on the Graduate Admissions website. Admission is available Fall, Winter, or Spring terms. Application deadlines are listed on our website. If you miss the application deadline and would still like to apply, please contact ceedept@pdx.edu as soon as possible.
Q: How much will I be charged for taking 500-level graduate coursework in the B+M Pathway program?
A: Undergraduate students will be charged at the undergraduate tuition rate. Post-bac students will be charged graduate tuition rates per PSU policy. More information on tuition costs are available on the PSU student finance website.
Q: Do I have to take 16 credit hours of 500-level graduate coursework once I am admitted to the B+M Pathway program?
A: No. You may take less than 16 credits. The benefit of shared coursework is that it shortens the time required to complete the Master's degree.
Q. What is the difference between the MS and the MEng program?
A. The MS program is 45 credits and requires a thesis/research component. The MEng is 48 credits and is a coursework-only program. It is sometimes possible for an MEng student to switch to the MS program at a later date if a research opportunity arises, though this is not guaranteed.
Q: How does advising work for the Pathway program?
A: Students in the Pathway program will be advised by the CEE Undergraduate Advisor, Evan Kristof. Once the student has graduated from the BSCE/BSENVE and begun a Master's program, they will be advised by a graduate advisor. For admission to the MS, a student must have a CEE faculty member agree to be their advisor. MEng students will have an advisor assigned to them.
Q. What happens if I have already applied to the graduate program, but don't meet the B+M continuation criteria?
A. Admission to the Master's program requires meeting the continuation criteria for the B+M program. Students that do not meet the criteria may still apply to the graduate program without the benefits of shared coursework.
For the MS: If there is no faculty adviser available or the criteria are not met, you may be required to move to the MEng coursework only program.