Frequently Asked Questions
What graduate degrees are offered?
The Department of Petroleum Engineering offers the following:
Graduate Certificate in Petroleum Engineering (pending)
Master of Science Degrees in:
- Petroleum Engineering with Thesis
- Petroleum Engineering without Thesis
Doctor of Philosophy in:
Petroleum Engineering with Dissertation
How do I apply?
Apply directly to the Graduate School for admission to Texas Tech University as a graduate student.
http://www.ttu.edu/. Go to Prospective Student and follow the applicable instructions.
This should include the following:
- Graduate application - this includes submission of a completed application form and application fee
- Financial statement as directed by the application process
- Official transcripts for all previous college-level study
- Official GRE score reports
- Goals statement. The goals statement should explain your future career plans and how a graduate degree from Texas Tech University will advance those plans.
- Minimum of three letters of recommendation. The letters of recommendation should be completed by individuals who are able to evaluate your potential for success in graduate courses and if applicable, in research. For Ph.D. applicants with the Master’s degree, one of the reference forms must come from your M.S. Major advisor. The reference forms and letters of recommendation must be mailed directly by the referees themselves, not by the applicant.
- TOEFL scores (as indicated by the graduate school application).
These application materials should be submitted directly to the graduate school. Please review the Graduate School web site at http://www/depts/ttu.edu/gradschool/ for the most up-to-date instructions.
The application must be complete in order to be reviewed by the graduate faculty in the department of Petroleum Engineering.
Are there application deadlines?
Application deadlines are set by the graduate school and the university. These dates can be found at
http://www/depts/ttu.edu/gradschool/. International students are recommended to submit their completed application at least 9 months in advance of the desired date of enrollment due to the length of time required to obtain a visa from the U.S. Department of State.
How is my departmental application evaluated?
Graduate faculty members of the department of Petroleum Engineering, will review and evaluate your completed application holistically, based on the combination of:
- GPA (including grades for the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work and/or formal graduate courses);
- A determination of leveling courses that are required;
- GRE scores (verbal, quantitative and analytical);
- Goals or statement of purpose;
- Letters (minimum of three) of recommendation;
- Current vita or resume. Include any additional evidence of potential as a research scientist (publications, awards, or other scholarly achievements). May not exceed five pages.
- TOEFL scores are required by the graduate school.
The Selection Committee does not use any specific minimum scores to evaluate GPA and GRE scores.
What financial assistance is available?
The Department of Petroleum Engineering offers a limited number of Teaching Assistantships (T.A.) and Research Assistantships (R.A.) on an annual basis. Offers of assistantships are not offered until an applicant has been admitted into the graduate program. A limited number of departmental scholarships are available. These must be applied for during your application process.
What is required to complete a graduate degree?
Requirements can be found in the catalog. The link is http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/
What courses will I need to take?
During orientation you will meet with the graduate advisor. Courses will be selected for your degree plan. Courses available in the Department of Petroleum Engineering cover a broad range of subjects spanning the diversity of Drilling and Completion, Formation Evaluation, Production and Facilities, Reservoir and Property Evaluation and Computational Modeling. One graduate level course in each of the five areas is required. Additional courses may be recommended. Course descriptions may be found in the academic catalog.
What about leveling courses?
If you don’t have a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering, leveling courses are required.
For candidates with a B.S. degree in an Engineering field (other than Petroleum) the following is a list of leveling courses that may be required:
GEOL 1101, 1303, 3302, 4324
PETR 2302, 3403, 2301, 3304, 3306
PETR 4303, 4306, 4405, 4407, 4300, 4308, 4309
For candidates with a non engineering bachelor’s degree more leveling courses will be required. Often a better option is to seek a second bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering.
What does graduate research involve?
An important decision is the choice of a thesis or dissertation topic, one that is both of interest to you and complementary to your committee’s research program. Following discussions with your primary advisor, you will submit a research proposal to your committee for approval. Typical times for completion of the M.S. degree are 12-18 months and for the Ph.D. degree are 3-4 years.
The Department of Petroleum Engineering has a continuing commitment to support quality scientific research among its faculty members and graduate students. The faculty includes established leaders in petroleum engineering who have held editorships of scientific journals and offices in scientific societies, as well as newer faculty with promising research careers. Intradepartmental organization for research is centered in the areas of drilling and completion, artificial lift, formation evaluation, reservoir fluid and rock properties, and reservoir management and modeling.
In addition to these departmental research groups, there are several University-wide research centers, institutes, and associated Federal research laboratories that promote and facilitate collaborative research.
Whom should I contact if I have questions?
For questions regarding your application to the Graduate School, including transcript, test scores, application fee, and issues relating to the status of international students, contact the Graduate School directly.
Graduate School
02 Holdon Hall
POB 41030
Lubbock, TX 79409-1030
Phone: 806.742.2781 | Fax: 805.742.1746
Graduate Admissions
03 Holdon Hall
POB 41030
Lubbock, TX 79409-1030
Phone: 806.742.2787 | Fax: 806.742.4038
Mailing Address
Office of Graduate Admissions
Broadway Ave. at Akron Ave.
Holdon Hall Room 3
Lubbock, TX 79409-1030
Texas Tech University, Petroleum Engineering Department, 8th and Canton, Lubbock, TX 79409
806.742.3573, Voicemail: 806.742.1801, Fax: 806.742.3502