1. UTA CE Graduate Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Current Students 7/17/2015

2. FAQs for Current Students 1.What courses and specializations are available?What courses and specializations are available? 2.What if I want to change my area of specialization?What if I want to change my area of specialization? 3.What is the difference between an MS and ME?What is the difference between an MS and ME? 4.How do I change between an MS and an ME?How do I change between an MS and an ME? Degree and Specialization Info Click on a question in Slideshow Mode to see a response.

3. FAQs for Current Students 5.What is the difference between the Master of Construction Engineering & Management (MCE) and the Master of Construction Management (MCM)?What is the difference between the Master of Construction Engineering & Management (MCE) and the Master of Construction Management (MCM)? 6.How do I change between MCE and MCM?How do I change between MCE and MCM? Degree and Specialization Info Click on a question in Slideshow Mode to see a response.

4. FAQs for Current Students 7. What funding is available? 8. How can I find an internship? 9. What paperwork do I need to fill out to obtain an internship? Financial/Internship Info Click on a question in Slideshow Mode to see a response.

5. FAQs for Current Students 10. Can I have the GESP class waived? 11. Must I complete all undergraduate deficiency courses before I take graduate courses? 12. Can I have a deficiency course waived? Deficiency Courses and GESP Click on a question in Slideshow Mode to see a response.

6. FAQs for Current Students 13.I’m an MS student. How do I schedule my thesis defense?I’m an MS student. How do I schedule my thesis defense? 14.What do I need to do the semester I graduate?What do I need to do the semester I graduate? Graduation Information Click on a question in Slideshow Mode to see a response.

7. FAQs for Current Students 15. What if I want to take a course not listed on the Graduate Program Study Planning Guide? 16. What if I need to take a semester off? 17. What if my GPA falls below 3.0? 18. What if my question wasn’t on this list? Other Questions Click on a question in Slideshow Mode to see a response.

8. 1. What courses and specializations are available? See the Graduate Program Study Planning Guide –http://www.uta.edu/ce/_documents/gradguide.pdfhttp://www.uta.edu/ce/_documents/gradguide.pdf Important: When you fill out the ApplyTexas application, please indicate your area of interest within CE (construction, environmental, geotech, infrastructure, structures, transportation, water resources). If you do not, processing of your application will be delayed. Return to FAQ list

9. 2. What if I want to change my area of specialization? E-mail the Graduate Advisor, who will have to re-evaluate your undergraduate transcript for deficiency courses for the new area, and will change the department records. Return to FAQ list

10. 3. What is the difference between an MS and ME? MSCE: Master of Science (THESIS) 24 hours coursework 6 hours thesis (research experience) Recommended if student wants to pursue Ph.D. Allows student to study the area of research in depth

11. 3. What is the difference between an MS and ME? MECE: Master of Engineering (NON-THESIS) 36 hours coursework Allows student to take a broad variety of courses. Which do employers prefer? Either is fine – they just want to see a master’s Return to FAQ list

12. 4. How do I change between an MS and an ME? Complete the “Tentative Program of Work” form. Return to FAQ list

13. 5. What is the difference between the Master of Construction Engineering & Management (MCE) and the Master of Construction Management (MCM)? MCE The MCE is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering, and requires all engineering courses. Students with non-engineering background will need to complete a number of deficiency courses, listed in the Graduate Program Study Planning Guide http://www.uta.edu/ce/_documents/gradguide.pdf. http://www.uta.edu/ce/_documents/gradguide.pdf

14. MCE (continued) The MCE allows a student to sit for the Professional Engineering (PE) licensing exam in Texas. Salaries for PEs in Texas are 25% higher than non-PEs. An MCE allows a student with a PE to take on a higher level of responsibility as a construction manager. A PE can make engineering design changes needed on a construction project (a non-PE would have to contract these out to a PE). 5. What is the difference between the Master of Construction Engineering & Management (MCE) and the Master of Construction Management (MCM)?

15. MCE (continued) Even though the MCE (ME option) requires 12 courses (compared to 10 for MCM), the benefits of being able to become a PE are more than worth the 2 additional courses (25% additional salary over a 30-year career adds up to around $700,000).

16. 5. What is the difference between the Master of Construction Engineering & Management (MCE) and the Master of Construction Management (MCM)? MCM The MCM is designed for students with non-engineering backgrounds, and allows students to take some non-ME courses. Deficiency courses for the MCM are listed in the Graduate Program Study Planning Guide http://www.uta.edu/ce/_documents/gradguide.pdf. http://www.uta.edu/ce/_documents/gradguide.pdf Return to FAQ list

17. 6. How do I change between MCE and MCM? Complete the “Change of Program” form https://grad.pci.uta.edu/programs/forms/. https://grad.pci.uta.edu/programs/forms/ Return to FAQ list

18. 7. What funding is available? A limited number of $1000 scholarships are available for continuing students. –Provide in-state tuition ($4000/semester instead of $8000) –Obtain an application form from Lynda Uzoma (uzoma@uta.edu) Student can contact faculty members in their area of interest http://www.uta.edu/ce/faculty-directory.php about research assistantships. http://www.uta.edu/ce/faculty-directory.php –20 hours/week –Many available for Ph.D. students; few for master’s students

19. 7. What funding is available? Teaching assistantships reserved for Ph.D. students, on a competitive basis Employment at local engineering firms –http://www.uta.edu/ce/opportunities.phphttp://www.uta.edu/ce/opportunities.php On-campus jobs –https://www.myinterfase.com/utahr/student/https://www.myinterfase.com/utahr/student/ TPEG grants –http://grad.pci.uta.edu/students/finances/aid/grants/http://grad.pci.uta.edu/students/finances/aid/grants/

20. 7. What funding is available? Other financial aid –UTA Financial Aid Office http://www.uta.edu/fao/http://www.uta.edu/fao/ Return to FAQ list

21. 8. How can I find an internship? Locate DFW area employers here http://www.uta.edu/ce/opportunities.php, or ask a faculty member in your area of expertise. http://www.uta.edu/ce/opportunities.php Return to FAQ list

22. 9.What paperwork do I need to fill out to conduct an internship? For US students, none. For international students, you’ll need to fill out the CPT form here http://www.uta.edu/oie/?page=forms&form=cpt_forms. http://www.uta.edu/oie/?page=forms&form=cpt_forms Then you’ll need to enroll in the 1-hour internship course CE 5191 under your course advisor’s supervision. Return to FAQ list

23. 10. Can I have the GESP class waived? Only if: Your undergraduate degree was from a university where courses were conducted in English. You retake the TOEFL or IELTS and score 78 or 6.5 overall, respectively. You pass the GESP placement test. If any of the above are true, contact the Graduate Advisor. Return to FAQ list

24. 11. Must I complete all deficiency courses before I take graduate courses? No, but we recommend that you start addressing the deficiencies the first semester. Return to FAQ list

25. 12. Can I have a deficiency course waived? If you have had the course content previously, e-mail the graduate advisor a syllabus detailing the course content. Return to FAQ list

26. 13. I’m an MS student. How do I schedule my thesis defense? Submit the form here to the Graduate Administrative Assistant, preferably 2 weeks prior to your defense: http://grad.pci.uta.edu/students/forms/masters/#forms07 http://grad.pci.uta.edu/students/forms/masters/#forms07 Also, reserve a room. Return to FAQ list

27. 14. What do I need to do the semester I graduate? Graduation Checklist for Thesis students http://grad.pci.uta.edu/students/forms/masters/#forms06 Graduation Checklist for Non-Thesis students http://grad.pci.uta.edu/resources/pdf/Graduation_Checklist_Non_Thesis. pdf http://grad.pci.uta.edu/resources/pdf/Graduation_Checklist_Non_Thesis. pdf Apply for Graduation http://wweb.uta.edu/aao/recordsandregistration/content/student_services/ graduation.aspx. http://wweb.uta.edu/aao/recordsandregistration/content/student_services/ graduation.aspx Return to FAQ list

28. 15. What if I want to take a course not listed on the Graduate Program Study Planning Guide? See the advisor for your specialization area. You may need to petition to be able to count the course. Return to FAQ list

29. 16.What if I need to take a semester off? Complete the Graduate School Leave of Absence form http://grad.pci.uta.edu/faculty/resources/advisors/current/#leave. http://grad.pci.uta.edu/faculty/resources/advisors/current/#leave If you are an international student, complete the Office of International Education Leave of Absence form http://www.uta.edu/oie/web/iss/forms/leaveofabsence.pdf. Return to FAQ list

30. 17. What if my GPA falls below 3.0? You need to work to bring it up to 3.0. If your GPA is still below 3.0 at the end of the following semester, you’ll need to file a petition to continue in the program https://grad.pci.uta.edu/students/petition/. https://grad.pci.uta.edu/students/petition/ Return to FAQ list

31. 18. What if my question wasn’t on this list? Contact Kenyatta Pace at Kenyatta.pace@uta.edu or Dr. Razavi at razavi@uta.edu.Kenyatta.pace@uta.edurazavi@uta.edu Return to FAQ list