UNU-CCNY PhD Program in Civil Engineering

Offered at The City College of New York in collaboration with the United Nations University- Institute for Water, Environment and Health. 

Link to the application form

The UNU Hub on Remote Sensing and Sustainable Innovations for Resilient Urban Systems (R-SIRUS) at The City College of New York offers students in the PhD program in Civil Engineering the opportunity to earn also a UNU diploma in “Environmental Modelling and Decision-Making” from United Nations University – Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH).

In line with the missions of CCNY and UNU, the UNU Diploma option in the PhD program for Civil Engineering expands educational opportunities for PhD students, strengthening their skills and multi-disciplinary collaboration networks in areas of engineering, geospatial and remote sensing data analysis, earth system science, global climate adaptation, and associated policy processes by:

  • Delivering interdisciplinary graduate education that exposes students to real-world complexities across the spectrum of urban sustainability needs.
  • Empowering students to apply geospatial data and analytical methods in areas such as disaster mitigation, climate adaptation, sustainable development, and resilient urban design.
  • Offering students the opportunity to interact with UN and international experts, fostering global connection and community.

The addition of the UNU credential option to the PhD in Civil Engineering program will augment student career prospects by providing internationally recognized credentials from both CCNY and UNU.

 

Program Framework

The program follows CCNY’s existing PhD in Civil Engineering requirements while incorporating specialized coursework and research aligned with global sustainability and UN priorities.

See detailed list of requirements here.

Coursework Requirements

  • Completion of required foundational and advanced coursework as defined by CCNY’s PhD in Civil Engineering
  • Three additional interdisciplinary courses (9 credits) focusing on policy, remote sensing and geospatial data science.

Research & Dissertation

  • Doctoral research aligned with one or more of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Dissertation committees include faculty from CCNY and at least one UNU or UN-affiliated expert, strengthening international relevance and impact.

Internship Experience

All students complete a 10-12-week internship (in-person or remote) through a UNU- or UN-related organization, providing hands-on experience applying research to global challenges.

Degree and Credentials Awarded

  • A PhD in Civil Engineering from CCNY 
  • A UNU certified diploma in Environmental Modeling and Decision Making from UNU-INWEH 

Admissions Requirements

  • Be admitted to the PhD in Civil Engineering program at CCNY
  • Demonstrate research alignment with sustainability, environmental modeling, or decision-making themes