Applicants must have completed a bachelor's in civil engineering or another related engineering discipline. Candidates wishing to pursue acceptance into the program with a non-Civil/Environmental Engineering background are welcomed to apply and should request specific detailed information regarding admission policy and possible leveling courses with the graduate advisor. Students need at least a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average to be considered for admission.

Recommendations for admission are made on the basis of the following:

Grade point average in upper-division or graduate work as appropriate.
Resume or evidence of relevant personal or professional experience.
Two letters of recommendation
Research needs of the faculty
Availability of space in the area of interest.
Submission of GRE scores is required for applicants who do not have an earned degree in a closely related discipline from a U.S. university.
Applicants from countries where English is not the first language are required to demonstrate English proficiency.

If you did not attend high school in the United States and your most recent institution of learning was not located in an English-speaking country, UTEP requires you to provide evidence of English-language proficiency. Minimum score 550 on the paper-based (pBT) TOEFL. Some programs require 600 or better. Minimum score of 79 on the internet-based test (iBT), and minimum of 6.5 on IELTS.