Preparing for Graduation

Preparation for graduation involves making sure that you have completed all your BS program requirements and, of course, filing forms.

Students in their second last semester before they graduate (ie. in fall for spring or summer graduation, or in spring for fall graduation):

  • are recommended to make an advising appointment with the Associate Chairman of CEIE to check that they will meet all degree requirements in their final semester; and
  • are required to complete the intent-to-graduate form on their account on Patriot Web.

Students in their final semester must:

  • complete the GMU graduation survey on their account on Patriot Web; and
  • complete the graduation surveys for the Volgenau School and the CEIE Department available in the CEIE Department Office.

Preparing for the FE/EIT Exam

Students planning on a career in engineering practice should write the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination in their final year of B.S. studies.  This is a necessary step toward obtaining a professional engineer (P.E.) license, and many civil engineering employers will not hire engineers who have not passed the FE exam.  The National Council of Engineering Examiners and Surveyors (NCEES)  http://www.ncees.org/ conducts the FE examination twice a year nationwide (April and October) in two four-hour sessions.   FE exam details are provided here.

The morning session tests basic subjects common for most engineering disciplines (i.e. mathematics, chemistry, statics/dynamics etc.).  In the afternoon session, exam takers choose (at the time of test registration) between a more in-depth general section; and an engineering discipline specific exam, such as civil engineering.  Information on the topics included in each exam is provided here.

Success in the FE exam requires concentrated comprehensive review of the civil engineering curriculum before the exam.  Students may review material on their own; purchase FE exam review and practice books from either NCEES or other sources; attend review sessions organized by the GMU chapter of Chi Epsilon; or attend formal FE exam preparation courses organized privately outside the university, including through the American Society of Civil Engineers.  Thorough exam preparation is stressed.

CEIE students planning to write the FE exam before they graduate, submit their application through the CEIE Department.  The department announces the application process in December for April exams, and in July for October exams.  Students submit their application material to the CEIE Department and the department submits them together as a package, along with confirmation that applicants meet the education requirements.  For further information, students may visit here, choosing the EIT Designation Application link.  Current GMU CEIE undergraduate and graduate students are covered under the provisions of 18VAC10-20-190.1.

Former GMU students who have graduated cannot submit their application through the CEIE Department, but are required to submit their own application materials directly to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation: see http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/dpormainwelcome.cfm, http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/ape_main.cfm, and http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/eit_form.cfm.  Direct application deadlines are earlier for applicants applying on their own.  Education confirmation for graduates must be requested through the GMU Registrar, not the CEIE Department.

After Graduation:  Job or Graduate School?

Graduation means transition, usually to a job or to graduate school.

  • If you want to start your career with a job, visit the student section of http://civil.gmu.edu/resources for job announcements and advice on searching for jobs; email ceie@gmu.edu for the password to this section.  Also visit the University Career Services site at http://careers.gmu.edu/.
  • If you are considering specialized studies in civil engineering at the graduate level, visit the Prospective Students section for Graduate Studies in CEIE.  Admission to graduate study is competitive, and is based on a number of criteria including GPA, and letters of recommendation.  Students may be offered graduate research assistantships or graduate teaching assistantships which provide tuition assistance and a stipend; these are awarded competitively.  Students are advised to discuss graduate school with a faculty member whether the decision is to remain at GMU or to attend another university.
  • High achieving George Mason students in the B.S.-CIE program may apply for the accelerated B.S./M.S. in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering program if they wish to complete an M.S. in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering at GMU immediately after completion of their B.S.  Visit Accelerated B.S./M.S. in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering for further information.
  • Graduates will find that their B.S. in civil engineering can form a solid foundation for subsequent study in other fields, including architecture, law, business, economics, finance, and public policy and administration.