Environmental Engineering, PhD
Ready to create solutions that make a global impact? Immerses yourself in transformative research alongside faculty leading discoveries in water, energy, health and sustainability. Work across disciplines, harness advanced technologies and develop innovations that create a cleaner, safer and more resilient world.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in environmental engineering prepares you to conduct original, use-inspired research that advances the field and addresses society's most pressing environmental challenges. You work with leading faculty to develop specialized expertise in areas such as water and wastewater treatment, air quality management, pollution control and sustainable infrastructure.
Through advanced coursework and extensive research experience, you gain deep technical knowledge and proficiency in environmental chemistry, microbiology, data analytics and systems modeling. The program emphasizes innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of emerging technologies to design resilient, sustainable solutions that protect human and ecosystem health.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared for leadership roles in academia, industry, government and nongovernmental organizations, where you advance research and solutions of public value.
GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
84 credit hours, an oral comprehensive exam, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus, and a dissertation
Required Core (9 credit hours) Other Requirements (6 credit hours) Electives (30 credit hours) Electives or Research (15 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students entering the program with a bachelor's degree are required to complete 30 credit hours of elective coursework. Graduate elective courses may be selected from any graduate courses in EVE and CEE, as well as from elective courses in related disciplines, subject to approval by the faculty advisor. EVE 790 can be used for elective credit, with a limit of 12 credit hours. EVE 591 is a one-credit-hour course to be taken in four semesters. EVE 780 is a one-credit-hour course to be taken over two semesters to develop knowledge, skills and teaching experience.
CEE 561 Physical-chemical Treatment of Water (3)
CEE 563 Environmental Engineering Chemistry (3)
CEE 567 Environmental Health Microbiology (3)
EVE 591 Seminar (4)
EVE 780 Practicum (2)
EVE 799 Dissertation (12)
When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to count as elective credit. If the master's degree has not been completed, a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate work may be applied with program approval.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, natural and earth sciences, biological sciences and physical and chemical sciences or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: Additional Application Information The personal statement should describe the applicant's academic background, research interests and career goals, with particular emphasis on how their interests align with environmental engineering and the faculty expertise within the program. Applicants should also explain their motivation for pursuing doctoral study, relevant research or professional experiences, and their readiness to engage in independent, interdisciplinary research on complex environmental challenges.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency by scoring at least 4 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT)®, or a score of 80 if taken before January 21, 2026 in a testing center; 6.5 on the IELTS; or 105 on the Duolingo English test.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 03/01 | Priority* |
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Graduates pursue careers as researchers, faculty and technical leaders in:
- academic institutions and research organizations
- engineering consulting firms
- local, state and federal government agencies
- private industry and technology development
In these roles, graduates develop innovative solutions to complex environmental challenges and advance sustainable technologies with global impact.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Sustainable Engineering & Built Envirnmt
|
HLMK 437
sebe.advising@asu.edu
480-965-0595
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
