PROGRAMS OVERVIEW
Some of the most important urban innovations happen underground. The only program of its kind in North America Mines’ Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering graduate program educates top engineers on the design, construction, rehabilitation and management of underground spaces. This interdisciplinary program offers a wide range of fields with funded research and networking opportunities with unique industry and national lab partnerships that prepares graduates for successful careers and become the top leaders in their field.
Home to the only Underground
Construction Association
local chapter in the U.S.
$105,567 average
tunnel engineer
salary 2019
A world’s top Underground
Construction and
Tunneling Center
Request for additional information
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Requirements and Costs
Certificate
- A bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering discipline and prerequisite coursework related to strength of materials (or mechanics of materials) and fluid mechanics
- Statement of purpose letter: present your professional and personal goals
- Resume/CV
- For international applicants or applicants whose native language is not English, please review the ENGLISH PROFICIENCY requirement tab
MASTER OF SCIENCE Thesis
- A bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering discipline and prerequisite coursework related to strength of materials (or mechanics of materials) and fluid mechanics
- Statement of purpose letter: present your professional and personal goals
- Resume/CV
- Three letters of recommendation
- For international applicants or applicants whose native language is not English, please review the ENGLISH PROFICIENCY requirement tab
MASTER OF SCIENCE Non-Thesis
- A bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering discipline and prerequisite coursework related to strength of materials (or mechanics of materials) and fluid mechanics
- Statement of purpose letter: present your professional and personal goals
- Resume/CV
- Three letters of recommendation
- For international applicants or applicants whose native language is not English, please review the ENGLISH PROFICIENCY requirement tab
DOCTORATE
- A bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering discipline and prerequisite coursework related to strength of materials (or mechanics of materials) and fluid mechanics
- Statement of purpose letter: present your professional and personal goals
- Resume/CV
- Three letters of recommendation
- For international applicants or applicants whose native language is not English, please review the ENGLISH PROFICIENCY requirement tab
* Due to COVID the GRE have be waived at all program levels for the fall 2021 admission cylce.
MASTER OF SCIENCE – Thesis
- 30 total credit hours, consisting of 24 hours coursework, minimum 6 hours research
MASTER OF SCIENCE – Non-Thesis
- 30 total credit hours, consisting of 27 hours coursework, 3 hours independent study
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
- 42 credit hours coursework (beyond BS degree), 3 credit hours independent study, minimum 24 credit hours research
- Successfully pass a qualifying exam
- Write and defend a dissertation proposal
- Write and defend a doctoral dissertation
VIEW CATALOG
| Colorado Resident | Out-of-State Student | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition** | $16,650 | $37,350 |
| Fees* | $2,412 | $2,412 |
| Room & Board | $16,700 | $16,700 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Misc. Expenses | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Transportation | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| Total | $40,362 | $61,062 |
| **Cost per credit hour | $925 | $2,075 |
*Allowance for fees based on mandatory fees charged to all students. Does not include fees for orientation, library, yearbook, refrigerator rental, voice messaging, etc.
At less than 4.5 credit hours, you may be ineligible for financial aid.
“Earth-related science and engineering programs are still the core of what Mines can offer. Among them, tunneling is one of the most dynamic programs. It is also the trend of infrastructure construction in the years to come.”
Wei Hu
PhD Candidate, Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering
Career Outcomes
- Structural engineer
- Project engineer
- Construction manager
- Tunnel engineer
- Geosciences consultant
- Aldea Services
- Jacobs
- Kiewit
- Stantec Consulting
Organizations recruiting Mines students at the 2019 Career Fair
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Degree Options
PhD
- Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering
Master’s
- Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering (Thesis)
- Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering (Non-Thesis)
Certificates
- Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
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Grad School Insights
A history of tunneling and underground construction and the factors driving current and future demand
Tunneling and underground construction—likely first performed by prehistoric humans who sought to...
What makes underground construction and tunnel engineering different from advanced programs in civil, mining and geological?
Underground construction and tunnel engineering is truly an interdisciplinary practice, involving...
What to look for in an underground engineering program
1. Is it truly interdisciplinary? Successful underground construction and tunneling projects rely...