Ph.D. in Construction Science
Improve the safety, productivity, and efficiency of the construction industry through advanced research into problems that span the construction lifecycle.
About the Program
The Ph.D. in Construction Science program at Texas A&M uses scientific methods, emerging technologies, and advanced management theories to address complex construction problems. Your discoveries can improve the safety, productivity, and efficiency of the construction industry.
You’ll develop expertise in the research process and its application to construction, project management, and sustainability issues that occur throughout the life cycle of construction projects. Using creativity and rigorous quantitative and qualitative methodologies, you’ll conduct high-impact, transformative research that will benefit the construction industry and ultimately human civilization.
Our Ph.D. in Construction Science is the first program of its kind in the state of Texas and one of the largest in the country, with the most diverse range of research topics available. Approximately 8-10 students are admitted per year. All admitted students are offered full financial support.
Our program prepares interdisciplinary scientists ready to solve complex construction problems. Through high-impact research, our program creates new knowledge to advance the industry.
Concentration Areas
- Construction management and safety
- Smart construction
- Sustainability in construction
Careers
Our Ph.D. program meets the growing demand for doctoral-level construction professionals in industry and academia. Our graduates are poised to become:
- Construction Scientists who carry out effective research in science and technology
- Project Managers with advanced business skills needed to be practical leaders in construction and related industries
- Construction Educators with interdisciplinary knowledge prepared to educate the constructors of tomorrow
Curriculum
The Ph.D. requires 60 credit hours for a M.S. degree holder. Students entering the Ph.D. program with only a baccalaureate degree will take an additional 30 hours of coursework.
- 14 credits of fundamental courses
- 6 credits of research methods courses
- 9 credits of courses in a concentration area
- 9 credits of free electives that support the student’s research activities (18 credits for students entering with a baccalaureate degree)
- 18+ credits in variable research courses while working on your dissertation
- Up to 3 credits for an industry internship
FAQ About the Ph.D. Program
You will work with our tenured or tenure-track faculty members in the construction science department. We encourage you to learn more about our faculty’s research activities that may be aligned with your research interest and career goals by reviewing their biographies.
A tenured or tenure-track faculty member in the Department of Construction Science can serve as the chair of your doctoral committee. Your committee chair should have closely aligned research experience to your research interests.
Texas A&M University requires four members to form a doctoral committee. At least one of them should be from outside of the department you belong to. All four committee members are expected to be familiar with your Ph.D. research topic and have some expertise to provide you with useful guidance to help you complete your Ph.D. research.
All admitted students to our Ph.D. program will receive full financial support that covers tuition for 9 credit hours a semester, health insurance, and a monthly stipend. Some also cover fees. Assistantships may continue until the student completes his/her Ph.D. program, contingent upon satisfactory performance.
For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance, please visit the Texas A&M University cost and tuition rates webpage. This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated cost of attendance information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.
Supported from the Start
You’ll be mentored by a faculty member from the start of your program. Paired based on similar research interests, you’ll often work alongside each other on research that our faculty are engaged in. Most of our faculty are internationally recognized scholars and researchers with a strong track record of high impact research. Most research projects are externally funded and they are used to financially support you from the start of your Ph.D. program along with other assistantships and scholarships available.
Preparing for the Ph.D. Program
Students must have a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree before beginning the Ph.D. program. Students with only a bachelor’s degree will have to take an additional 30 credit hours.
FAQ About Preparing for the Program
Our Ph.D. program is highly competitive with a large number of applications from all around the world every year. Successful Ph.D. applicants typically show:
- Strong self-motivation to pursue a Ph.D. degree in our department
- Strong academic achievement record and/or industry experience
- Critical thinking skills
- Ability to take independent initiative and action to complete tasks
- Ability to logically articulate work processes involved and results
Some faculty members may require specific education background, experience, and/or skill sets of applicants to be considered for financial assistantships.
Ph.D. applicants go through a two-tiered acceptance process.
In the first tier, prospective students demonstrate that they have the relevant credentials. To do this, you should submit your application and all supporting documents by the application deadline.
Applicants who have the relevant experience then must attract a mentor. Faculty review the applications and look for good matches based on research interests.
Six to eight individuals are chosen and admitted into the program.
It is not a requirement but it is generally recommended that you contact individual faculty members by email to see whether they would be interested in your academic background, experience, skill sets, research interest, and career goals before and/or after submitting your application. Individual faculty play a significant role in determining which students are accepted into our Ph.D. program.
Submit your application at Texas A&M GradCas along with a non-refundable application fee. The fee may be waived only in exceptional cases for low-income applicants and McNair Scholars.
Your application should include the following:
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended
- Required test scores
- Three letters of recommendation (academic references preferred)
- Statement of Purpose essay
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
- Writing samples (published research papers or papers in progress)
Read more about the Ph.D. in Construction Science application requirements
The application deadline for fall admission is Jan 5th. All applications received by this date will be reviewed for admission and considered for scholarships offered by the College of Architecture and departmental funding. Applications received after this date will be reviewed for admission and considered for funding as space and funds allow, including Aggie Priority applications. Feb 1st is the final deadline.
Doctoral students are typically funded either through externally funded grants (from National Science Foundation, Construction Industry Institute, etc.) or through departmental assistantships. University fellowships are also available for exceptional candidates.
Assistantships typically provide tuition for 9 credit hours, health insurance, and a monthly stipend. Some also cover fees. Assistantships may continue until you complete your Ph.D. program contingent upon satisfactory performance. Work assignments include both research and teaching opportunities. International and domestic students receiving financial assistance are eligible for in-state tuition.
For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance, please visit the Texas A&M University cost and tuition rates webpage. This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated cost of attendance information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.
For more information about the Ph.D. in Construction Science program, please contact Rifat Bulut, Program Coordinator, at [email protected]
Questions about application requirements and process can be directed to Liz Smith at [email protected].
Innovations in Construction
Our department’s diverse research portfolio tackles real-world problems through convergent research and scholarly activity. Our work is at the intersection of the built environment, enabling technologies and stakeholder needs.
