Civil Engineering MSCE and PhD (Burke Graduate Program)

Purdue University-Main Campus College of Engineering · West Lafayette, IN

Field: Civil & Environmental Engineering
Degrees: Master's, PhD
Application fee: $60
GRE: Not required
Letters: 3 (recommendations)

Deadlines

Complete application for maximum funding consideration and start of review, fall 2027: Dec. 1, 2026
Last date application materials are accepted for fall admission consideration: May 15, 2027

Essays

Academic Statement of Purpose (Up to two pages (Graduate School suggests 500 words))

Articulate your professional development goals; funding seekers should identify the faculty research area they want to work in, since the statement routes the application to faculty reviewers.

Personal History Statement

Required: Describe how your background and life experiences contribute to your ability to be both persistent and resourceful in graduate school. Describe how your life experiences have prepared you to contribute to an academic community where scholars with diverse research interests, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences are supported, respected, and valued. Optional: address concerns that your academic record does not reflect your true capabilities.

Resume

Editor's notes

Funding here is faculty-driven, so the statement of purpose does real work: name the research area and faculty whose projects fit you, because the department uses it to route your file and decide assistantships. Aim to have everything in by December 1, when review starts and the main funding round is decided. You can go past the Graduate School's 500-word suggestion up to two pages, and keep the Personal History Statement focused on persistence, resourcefulness and community rather than repeating your academic goals. If you want to be considered for a PhD straight from a bachelor's, say so clearly and explain your research goals.