LAU MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering – Université Paris-Saclay MS in Geomechanics & Soils

The LAU – Université Paris-Saclay Dual Master Degree Program in Civil Engineering is an international graduate program designed to provide selected students with advanced education in Geomechanics and Natural Hazards, with emphasis on seismic risk, gravity-induced hazards, and applied geotechnical engineering.

The program enables students to pursue graduate-level studies at both institutions, combining LAU’s Master of Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering (MSCEE) with Université Paris-Saclay’s Diplôme National de Master (DNM) in Civil Engineering – Geomechanics and Soils, delivered in collaboration with CentraleSupélec.

Program Objective

The objective of the program is to:

• Provide high-level academic and research training in applied geomechanics.
• Strengthen expertise in natural hazards and risk mitigation.
• Promote international mobility and academic collaboration.
• Contribute to the development of advanced geotechnical and geomechanics expertise in Lebanon and the region.

Degrees Awarded

Upon successful completion of the program requirements at both institutions, students receive:

• MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering (MSCEE)
  Emphasis: Geomechanics and Natural Hazards in Civil Engineering – from LAU
• Diplôme National de Master (DNM), en Génie Civil – Parcours: Geomechanics and Soils – from Université Paris-Saclay

Course Requirements

The dual degree program requires completion of at least two academic years of full-time graduate study divided between LAU and Université Paris-Saclay.

At LAU (MSCEE Requirements)

Students must complete:

• 30 graduate credits total
  • 24 credits of coursework
  • 6-credit research-based thesis
• Coursework includes:
  • 3 required 3-credit courses
  • 5 elective 3-credit graduate courses
• The thesis must include research in Geomechanics and Natural Hazards and requires at least one under-review publication at the time of graduation.

At Université Paris-Saclay

Students must complete:

• 30 ECTS of coursework
• 30 ECTS of internship

The internship requirement is fulfilled through the research-based thesis conducted at LAU or jointly with faculty from both institutions.

Credit Equivalence

• 1 U.S. credit = 2 ECTS credits
• A maximum of 18 ECTS (9 LAU credits) may be transferred toward the LAU degree.

Research topics are jointly supervised by faculty members from LAU and Université Paris-Saclay/CentraleSupélec in the areas of Geomechanics and Natural Hazards.

Admission Requirements

The program is open to a limited number of highly qualified students (maximum of 5 students per academic year from LAU).

Applicants must:

1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (or equivalent) with above-average academic performance.
2. Be admitted to the LAU MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering (MSCEE) program.
3. Apply to the Dual Master Degree Program during the Fall semester of their first year in the MSCEE program.
4. Meet academic, personal, and linguistic qualifications required by both institutions.
5. Receive final academic approval from Université Paris-Saclay following nomination by LAU.

Selection is based on academic excellence and overall qualifications.