Programs – Application Instructions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tishman Construction Management Program/Programs – Application Instructions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
 

Choose Your Program

M.Eng. Program      M.S.E. Program      Ph.D. Program      Contact Information

M.Eng. CEM Application Materials and Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What materials are required as part of my M.Eng. application?

Application materials for the M.Eng. in CE&M consist of the following:

  • Completed online application form (see website below)
  • Application fee (a check or money order made payable to the University of Michigan or completed credit card information)
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three Letters of Recommendation.
  • Transcripts (Marksheets) from all colleges and universities attended
  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. [Optional]
  • International Students only:
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) scores (international students only). See this site for minimum score requirements.
    • International students who are accepted for admission must submit certification of finances. You may submit those documents with your application package or at a later date, when requested to do so.

For additional detailed instructions, please visit the M.Eng. Application Completion Website. For more information on admission requirements and processes, please see the M.Eng. Program Guidelines and the Departmental Admission Requirements.

Q. Where can I find the M.Eng. application materials?

All application instructions and forms can be found at the following website:

https://www.applyweb.com/apply/umengin/

Q. Where can I find more information about the M.Eng. program and the involved coursework?

More information is available on the M.Eng. Program Guidelines page and the documents linked there, including a list of all courses and a sample plan of study.

Q. Where can I find a Plan-of-Study form for the M.Eng. program? 

You can view and download a fillable M.Eng. Plan-of-Study Form for the program.

Q. Is the M.Eng. considered a STEM program for possible Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension? 

Yes, the M.Eng. is a Master’s degree in Engineering, and is thus a STEM program.

Q. What is the difference between the M.Eng. and M.S.E. programs in CE&M?

The M.Eng. program is designed for students who want to pursue a coursework only option (26 credits), and are generally intent on pursuing a professional career in the construction industry upon completion of their Master’s program. With proper planning, the M.Eng. program can be completed within 8 months (Fall and Winter terms). The M.Eng. program emphasizes construction professional practice, and students are NOT required to conduct research or produce a thesis. M.Eng. students are required to take the course CEE 530 titled Construction Professional Practice.

The M.S.E. program is designed for students who want to conduct research as part of their graduate program, and are generally intent on either pursuing a professional career in the construction industry or continuing in the Ph.D. program to pursue a research career after completing their Master’s program. Most students require three full semesters to complete the M.S.E. degree program (Fall, Winter, Fall). M.S.E students are required to either take the course titled Construction Professional Practice (CEE 530) OR do at least 3 credits worth of research (CEE 630) under the supervision of a TCMP faculty member.

Q. The instructions say that GRE scores are recommended but not required for M.Eng. applicants? What does this mean?

Several parameters are considered in the application evaluation process. Such parameters include the student’s academic record (grades), letters of recommendation, motivation towards a graduate degree, and prior work or research experience. Admission decisions are made by considering the total package described by these parameters. If a student is strong on all other parameters, then GRE scores are typically redundant in the evaluation process and are overlooked. On the other hand, if the rest of a student’s application package does not present a convincing case for admission, then any submitted GRE scores may help make the package stronger (assuming the GRE scores themselves are strong). 

Q. How long does it take to complete the M.Eng. program? Can I finish the program in one year?

The 26 credit M.Eng. program is designed to be completed within 8 months (Fall and Winter terms). When students arrive on campus, they can consult with their academic advisor to create a plan of study taking their desired finish date into consideration.

Q. What are the fees and costs of the M.Eng. program?

The fees and costs of completing the M.Eng. program can be estimated by visiting the UM Registrar’s Website. Choose the correct academic year, then select the College of Engineering, select a Full Term to estimate Fall or Winter semester costs, and select Graduate as the Level of Study. In the table of costs, the row that says includes Full-Time (9+ credits) shows the tuition per semester for both In-State Michigan resident students as well as Michigan Non-Resident students (including international students). Other tables and paragraphs on this page also describe additional mandatory fees per semester, including any fees applicable to international students. For estimating housing costs, you may visit Rackham’s Housing Website and for estimating general costs of living, you can visit Rackham Life Website. 

Q. I am interested in the dual-degree program with Architecture or Business or another field of study. How do I apply?

For any dual-degree program, the first step a student must accomplish is get admitted to both the degree programs independently. For example, a M.Eng./M.Arch. dual-degree applicant must be admitted independently to both the M.Eng. program and the M.Arch. program. This website only provides information on admission to the M.Eng. or M.S.E. program in CE&M. For information on admission requirements to the second program a student desires to pursue as a dual-degree (architecture, business, etc.), please visit the websites of those programs and pursue admission separately. Once a student is admitted to both the desired programs, a joint dual-degree plan of study will be created after the student arrives on campus and meets with their program advisor. At that time, the courses that can be double-counted across both programs will also be selected and marked on the student’s plan of study.

For more information on the M Arch program and how it can be combined with an engineering dual degree, please visit this link.

For more information on the MBA program and how it can be combined with an engineering dual degree, please visit this link.

Q. My background is not in Construction, Civil Engineering, or any other form of Engineering. Am I still eligible for admission?

Generally speaking, yes, you may be eligible to be considered for admission. However, college-level coursework (with B average or better) in physics and mathematics is required BEFORE your application can be evaluated and considered. These courses, if missing from the applicant’s record, can be taken at any college including your undergraduate institution prior to your application. In addition, if you are admitted, and your background is not in Civil Engineering, then you may be asked to take some additional background courses (without graduate credit) after you arrive on campus and begin your program. These additional courses will not count towards the graduate degree. More information is available on the M.Eng. Program Guidelines page and the documents linked there.

Q. What form of financial support is available for M.Eng. student applicants?

Scholarships are available for outstanding Master’s applicants. Scholarships are awarded based on the evaluation of application materials. No additional paperwork is required. If a student is selected for a Scholarship at the time of admission, then this information will be part of the admission letter or will be provided around that time in a separate letter. 

In addition to Scholarships, there are a limited number of Graduate Student Instructor (Teaching Assistant) positions available. In order to be eligible for these, a student must first have taken the relevant courses and excelled in them as students themselves. Research Assistantships are also available. Eligibility for these depends on a student’s research skills and a match with an ongoing research project within the program. More information on ongoing research can be found by navigating to the TCMP Research Page on this website. Research Assistantships are offered by individual research faculty depending on the available projects in their group and a match of the student’s skills to the project’s needs. A student can contact individual faculty directly to inquire about any available positions. 

Q. Is there any difference in my job prospects if I choose M.Eng. instead of M.S.E. or M.S.E. instead of M.Eng.?

As far as job prospects are concerned, there is absolutely no difference between the M.Eng. and the M.S.E. degree programs. Both degree programs are held in high regard by the construction industry and other employers where our alumni have been employed. In terms of preparation for a professional career in the construction industry, both degree programs train the students adequately and are equally attractive to prospective employers. The only differences that exist between the M.Eng. and M.S.E. program have been described in response to another question on this page above.

Q. I have already been admitted to the M.Eng. program but would like to defer/postpone my arrival and program start date. Is that possible?

You may defer your admission for up to one year under the following circumstances: medical emergency, family emergency, delay or denial of a visa, or a natural disaster (earthquake or hurricane). If your circumstances meet these criteria, please prepare a request to defer admission along with an explanation for the request and send it to the CEE Graduate Desk with a copy to Prof. Carol Menassa. You may request admission deferral after your admission has been finalized by the College of Engineering. 

Q. As a M.Eng. student, can I be involved in construction research?

Yes. All Master’s students including M.Eng. candidates are encouraged to participate in graduate research. Students can take the course CEE 630 under the supervision of a TCMP faculty member and pursue research in an area of mutual interest. Please contact individual faculty to discuss your research interests and set up a CEE 630 course if you are interested. Please note that such a course will NOT count as part of the minimum 26 credits that are needed to obtain the M.Eng. 

 

M.S.E. CEM Application Materials and Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What materials are required as part of my M.S.E. application?

Application materials required for M.S.E. applications consist of the following:

  • Completed application form (see website below)
  • Application fee
  • Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts (Marksheets) from college or university that has awarded or will award degree
  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. [Optional]
  • International Students only:
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) scores (international students only). See this site for minimum score requirements.
    • International students who are accepted for admission must submit certification of finances. You may submit those documents with your application package or at a later date, when requested to do so.

For additional detailed instructions, please visit the MSE Application Completion Website. For more information on admission requirements and processes, please see the MSE Program Guidelines and the Departmental Admission Requirements.

Q. Where can I find the M.S.E. application materials?

Web applications, application forms, and other materials are available for M.S.E. admission from the Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

Q. Where can I find more information about the M.S.E. program and the involved coursework?

More information is available on the M.S.E. Program Guidelines page and the documents linked there, including a list of all courses and a sample plan of study. 

Q. Where can I find a Plan-of-Study form for the M.S.E. program? 

You can view and download a fillable M.S.E. Plan-of-Study Form for the program.

Q. Is the M.S.E. considered a STEM program for possible Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension? 

Yes, the M.S.E. is a Master’s degree in Engineering, and is thus a STEM program.

Q. What is the difference between the M.S.E. and M.Eng. programs in CE&M?

The M.Eng. program is designed for students who want to pursue a coursework only option (26 credits), and are generally intent on pursuing a professional career in the construction industry upon completion of their Master’s program. With proper planning, the M.Eng. program can be completed within 8 months (Fall and Winter terms). The M.Eng. program emphasizes construction professional practice, and students are NOT required to conduct research or produce a thesis. M.Eng. students are required to take the course CEE 530 titled Construction Professional Practice.

The M.S.E. program is designed for students who want to conduct research as part of their graduate program, and are generally intent on either pursuing a professional career in the construction industry or continuing in the Ph.D. program to pursue a research career after completing their Master’s program. Most students require three full semesters to complete the M.S.E. degree program (Fall, Winter, Fall). M.S.E students are required to either take the course titled Construction Professional Practice (CEE 530) OR do at least 3 credits worth of research (CEE 630) under the supervision of a TCMP faculty member.

Q. The instructions say that GRE scores are recommended but not required for M.S.E. applicants? What does this mean?

Several parameters are considered in the application evaluation process. Such parameters include the student’s academic record (grades), letters of recommendation, motivation towards a graduate degree, and prior work or research experience. Admission decisions are made by considering the total package described by these parameters. If a student is strong on all other parameters, then GRE scores are typically redundant in the evaluation process and are overlooked. On the other hand, if the rest of a student’s application package does not present a convincing case for admission, then any submitted GRE scores may help make the package stronger (assuming the GRE scores themselves are strong).

Q. How long does it take to complete the M.S.E. program? Can I finish the program in one year?

With proper planning, the M.S.E. program can be completed within one calendar year (Fall, Winter, and Spring terms). However, most M.S.E. students choose to spend three full semesters completing their degree program (Fall, Winter, Fall). When students arrive on campus, they can work with their academic advisor to create their plan of study taking their desired finish date into consideration.

Q. What are the fees and costs of the M.S.E. program?

The costs of completing the M.S.E. program can be estimated by visiting the UM Registrar’s Website. Choose the correct academic year, then select the College of Engineering, select a Full Term to estimate Fall or Winter semester costs, and select Graduate as the Level of Study. In the table of costs, the row that says includes Full-Time (9+ credits) shows the tuition per semester for both In-State Michigan resident students as well as Michigan Non-Resident students (including international students). Other tables and paragraphs on this page also describe additional mandatory fees per semester, including any fees applicable to international students. For estimating housing costs, you may visit Rackham’s Housing Website and for estimating general costs of living, you can visit Rackham Life Website.

Q. I am interested in the dual-degree program with Architecture or Business or another field of study. How do I apply?

For any dual-degree program, the first step a student must accomplish is get admitted to both the degree programs independently. For example, a M.S.E./M.B.A. dual-degree applicant must be admitted independently to both the M.S.E. program and the M.B.A. program. This website only provides information on admission to the M.Eng. or M.S.E. program in CE&M. For information on admission requirements to the second program a student desires to pursue as a dual-degree (architecture, business, etc.), please visit the websites of those programs and pursue admission separately. Once a student is admitted to both the desired programs, a joint dual-degree plan of study will be created after the student arrives on campus and meets with their program advisor. At that time, the courses that can be double-counted across both programs will also be selected and marked on the student’s plan of study.

For more information on the M Arch program and how it can be combined with an engineering dual degree, please visit this link.

For more information on the MBA program and how it can be combined with an engineering dual degree, please visit this link.

Q. My background is not in Construction, Civil Engineering, or any other form of Engineering. Am I still eligible for admission?

Generally speaking, yes, you may be eligible to be considered for admission. However, college-level coursework (with B average or better) in physics and mathematics is required BEFORE your application can be evaluated and considered. These courses, if missing from the applicant’s record, can be taken at any college including your undergraduate institution prior to your application. In addition, if you are admitted, and your background is not in Civil Engineering, then you may be asked to take some additional background courses (without graduate credit) after you arrive on campus and begin your program. These additional courses will not count towards the graduate degree. More information is available on the M.S.E. Program Guidelines page and the documents linked there.

Q. What form of financial support is available for M.S.E. student applicants?

Fellowships are available for outstanding M.S.E. applicants. Fellowships are awarded based on the evaluation of application materials. No additional paperwork is required. If a student is selected for a Fellowship at the time of admission, then this information will be part of the admission letter or will be provided around that time in a separate letter. 

In addition to Fellowships, there are a limited number of Graduate Student Instructor (Teaching Assistant) positions available. In order to be eligible for these, a student must first have taken the relevant courses and excelled in them as students themselves. Research Assistantships are also available. Eligibility for these depends on a student’s research skills and a match with an ongoing research project within the program. More information on ongoing research can be found by navigating to the TCMP Research Page on this website. Research Assistantships are offered by individual research faculty depending on the available projects in their group and a match of the student’s skills to the project’s needs. A student can contact individual faculty directly to inquire about any available positions. 

Q. Is there any difference in my job prospects if I choose M.Eng. instead of M.S.E. or M.S.E. instead of M.Eng.?

As far as job prospects are concerned, there is absolutely no difference between the M.Eng. and the M.S.E. degree programs. Both degree programs are held in high regard by the construction industry and other employers where our alumni have been employed. In terms of preparation for a professional career in the construction industry, both degree programs train the students adequately and are equally attractive to prospective employers. The only differences that exist between the M.Eng. and M.S.E. program have been described in response to another question on this page above.

Q. I have already been admitted to the M.S.E. program but would like to defer/postpone my arrival and program start date. Is that possible?

You may defer your admission for up to one year under the following circumstances: medical emergency, family emergency, delay or denial of a visa, or a natural disaster (earthquake or hurricane). If your circumstances meet these criteria, please prepare a request to defer admission along with an explanation for the request and send it to the CEE Graduate Desk with a copy to Prof. Carol Menassa. You may request admission deferral after your admission has been finalized by the Rackham Graduate School.

Q. As a M.S.E. student, can I be involved in construction research?

As a M.S.E. student, research is an integral part of the graduate study program. Every M.S.E. student can take 3 research credits and produce a research report, or take 6 credits and produce a research thesis. M.S.E. students will take the course CEE 630 under the supervision of a TCMP faculty member and pursue research in an area of mutual interest. Please contact individual faculty to discuss your research interests and set up a CEE 630 course after you arrive on campus. Please note that M.S.E. students can also take the CEE 530 Construction Professional Practice course to meet the program’s research requirements.

Back to top

Ph.D. in CE Application Materials and Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What materials are required for a Ph.D. application?

Application materials required for Ph.D. applications consist of the following:

  • Completed application form (see website below)
  • Application fee
  • Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts (Marksheets) from college or university that has awarded or will award degree
  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. [Optional]
  • International Students only:
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) scores (international students only). See this site for minimum score requirements. 

For additional detailed instructions, please visit the Ph.D. Application Completion Website. For more information on admission requirements and processes, please see the Ph.D. Program Guidelines and the Departmental Admission Requirements. 

Q. Where can I find the Ph.D. Application Forms?

Web applications, application forms, and other materials are available for Ph.D. admission from the Rackham School of Graduate Studies

Q. Is financial support available for Ph.D. students?

Yes. All admitted Ph.D. students are offered full financial support in the form of Fellowships, Research Assistantships and/or Teaching Assistantships. No additional paperwork is required in order to be considered for financial support. Admission to the Ph.D. program implies full financial support.

Q. What is the criteria for admission to the Ph.D. program?

The most important criteria for admission to the Ph.D. program are: 1) Outstanding academic record; 2) Demonstrated research quality and aptitude (this will be judged based on research conducted by the student at the Undergraduate or Master’s level); 3) Match between a student’s skill and interests with available research projects and their needs; and 4) Availability of funded research projects. All four criteria must be met before a student will be admitted to the Ph.D. program.

Q. The instructions say that GRE scores are optional for application to the Ph.D. program? What does this mean?

Several parameters are considered in the application evaluation process. Such parameters include the student’s academic record (grades), letters of recommendation, motivation towards a Ph.D. degree, and prior research experience. Admission decisions are made by considering the total package described by these parameters. If a student is strong on all other parameters, then GRE scores are typically redundant in the evaluation process and are overlooked. On the other hand, if the rest of a student’s application package does not present a convincing case for admission, then any submitted GRE scores may help make the package stronger (assuming the GRE scores themselves are strong).

Q. Can I be directly admitted to the Ph.D. program after completion of my Undergraduate degree?

Yes. However, the same admission criteria described above apply. In particular, the student will have to demonstrate significant research quality and aptitude based on work performed during their Undergraduate program of study. Students admitted directly to the Ph.D. program typically pursue an intermediate Master’s degree as well during their graduate study. It must be noted that direct admission to the Ph.D. program without a Master’s degree is highly competitive and rare. Many applicants who are admissible to a Master’s program (M.S.E. or M.Eng.) will be declined for the Ph.D. program if they apply directly.

Back to top

For further information contact:

Back to top

Programs