Explore ISU CCEE’s graduate opportunities as well as our six graduate research areas of specialization. We offer access to interdepartmental opportunities for graduate researchers as well.
Below, find resources to apply to graduate school at Iowa State. Interested in future job opportunities? “Employment Process for Graduate Students” can help you. Check out additional resources for access to frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning graduate applications.
Explore any of the menu options related to ISU CCEE graduate students by hovering over the “Graduate Program” head menu option above. This will display more information pertaining to our graduate program. This includes access to the CCEE Graduate Student Handbook, degrees and certificates information, and graduation deadline information.
Graduate Application Process
The graduate application process at Iowa State is “self-managed,” which means that the applicant manages his/her own application.
Application Deadlines
January 15th is the deadline for first priority consideration for Fall semester. August 15th is the first priority consideration for Spring semester. Applications must be COMPLETE before faculty will review them. Applications submitted outside of these deadlines are reviewed on a continual basis, however, they may or may not be considered for the term in which an applicant prefers. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The GRE will be required for Spring 2022 and beyond.
Sending Graduate Application Materials
Required by the Office of Admissions
Electronically:
- Application and fee
- Official GRE scores (sent by testing services)
- Official TOEFL or DuoLingo English Test (DET) - sent by testing services to institution code 6306. DET is accepted through Spring 2023.
By mail to the address below:
- Financial statement (international applicants only)
- Official academic transcripts
- IELTS
Graduate Admission’s Office
Iowa State University
100 Enrollment Services Center
Ames, Iowa 50011-2011
Required by ISU CCEE Department
Three (3) letters of recommendation are required electronically with your application.
Please note: The preferred way to send letters of recommendation is through the on-line recommendation process. Letters of recommendation sent by mail slow down the admission process. If you must submit hard copies of your recommendation letters, send them to:
Civil Engineering Graduate Program
Iowa State University
394 Town Engineering Bldg.
Ames, Iowa 50011-3232
Do not send official transcripts or any copies of your transcripts to the Civil Engineering Graduate Program.
You will be contacted by email if any of your application materials are missing.
Due to the volume of applications, please do not call or email asking for the status of your application. It may take several months for an admission decision to be made.
Important Points
Before you fill out your application, consider these important points:
- A graduate applicant preferably should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil or construction engineering. Some associated disciplines are accepted on a provisional basis, and those applicants may be required take additional classes.
- Applicants must have a class rank placing them in at least the upper 50% in their undergraduate class.
- Applicants with records or scores that meet or exceed these guidelines are not guaranteed admission.
- Financial aid in the form of an assistantship may be considered for an applicant only after they have been admitted to Iowa State University. Usually most assistantships are considered for students after they arrive at Iowa State University. Assistantships generally are not offered to students admitted on a provisional basis until after they complete any required prerequisite courses or to students admitted on a restricted admission status because of a low GPA. Not all students who want an assistantship will be given an assistantship. There are not enough assistantships for all students.
- Iowa State University cannot process an application until it is complete, so please make sure the university has received all the materials for your application. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all application materials have been sent.
Questions and Application Status Check
Contact the Iowa State Graduate Admissions Office with questions about materials sent to the Admissions Office.
Before contacting the department, please read our list of Graduate Application FAQS. If you still have questions, contact the department at ccee-grad-inquiry@iastate.edu
Graduate Applications FAQs
What is the application deadline?
January 15th is the deadline for first priority consideration for Fall semester. August 15th is the first priority consideration for Spring semester. Applications must be COMPLETE before faculty will review them. Applications submitted outside of these deadlines are reviewed on a continual basis, however, they may or may not be considered for the term in which an applicant prefers. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Can I mail or express deliver all application materials in one package to the CCEE department?
No. Please upload all application materials with your on-line application. Begin your on-line application at the ISU Graduate College Admissions On-line Pre-Application Portal. More information on application rules for international and domestic student applicants can be found at the previous link.
What is the minimum test score I can have to be admitted to your program?
The CCEE department takes into account your total application package, including your GPA, GRE scores, TOEFL score, letters of recommendation, transcripts, statement of purpose and résumé when considering you for admission.
GRE Guidelines
The CCEE department’s GRE minimum guideline scores are as follows:
- Verbal = 146
- Quantitative = 155 (Structural Engineering = 160)
- Analytical Writing = 3.0
Applicants with scores below the minimum guidelines are generally encouraged to retake the GRE.
The GRE requirement may be waived for an applicant who has a bachelor’s or higher degree from a United States ABET accredited institution.
International Applicant English Proficiency Exam Requirement
International applicants must take one of the examinations of English proficiency listed below and meet or exceed the minimum listed score:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- Paper Based (PBT) = 553
- Internet-Based (IBT) = 82
- NOTE: ISU Admissions DOES NOT ACCEPT the TOEFL “My Best Score”
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) = 6.5
Any applicant with scores below those listed will not be considered for admission.
An English proficiency exam may be waived if a student has a prior degree (bachelor’s or master’s) from a country where English is the only official language.
What kind of financial aid is available for graduate students?
Financial aid in the form of teaching and research assistantships, fellowships and scholarships is available for qualified applicants who are admitted to the graduate program. Competition for financial aid is intense and award decisions are based on careful evaluation of all the applicants who have been admitted to and started the graduate program.
Can you tell me what my financial aid will be before I accept my offer of admission?
No. Financial assistantships are usually considered after an applicant has been admitted to and started the graduate program at Iowa State University.
Am I guaranteed admission to your graduate program if I meet or exceed your program’s guidelines?
Applicants with records or scores that meet or exceed these guidelines are not guaranteed admission.
When will I find out whether I have been admitted to your graduate program?
Graduate admission applications take several months to process, especially during peak application periods (Dec. through Mar.).
Keep in mind that the university cannot begin processing your application until it is complete.
We regret that due to the high volume of materials received in our office, we do not send acknowledgment of receipt of applications or supporting materials. However, if necessary academic records (and TOEFL, if required) are not received within a reasonable time after your application is received, you will be sent an e-mail notifying you that your application is incomplete. We ask for your patience as we complete our processing.