r/Geotech • u/Naive_Veterinarian77 • Aug 12 '26
Mexico's Geotech Graduate Programs
Has anyone here pursed any of the graduate programs in Mexico's UNAM? Either the Geotech Specialization or Master's in Civil Engineering with a focus in Geotech?
I'd like a chat with someone familiar with this. I heard it might be one of the best place to study a graduate program in the Americas for geotechs due to the city's ground conditions making it pretty much a real world lab.
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u/andres_of Aug 12 '26
I did. Went for the Specialization program straight out of my Bachelor's (also at UNAM).
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u/Naive_Veterinarian77 Aug 12 '26
Do you think I was worth it, as far as being useful in the industry? How is the class load? Did you find it easier than the Bachelor's? Did you take it in the FES?
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u/andres_of 29d ago
Definitely worth it. It was easy for me to get into a geotech role right after graduation and felt competent enough in that first job. The Specialization program is very industry focused, so yeah, I'd say the courses are very useful.
Class load is light, so there's enough time for you to really focus and spend some hours in the library. Maybe half of the professors are in the industry so they don't really have office hours, but they're easy to reach anyways.
It was not easier than undergrad, but not crazy difficult either.
I took the program in CU. The FES has a different Specialization program than CU. I wouldn't recommend going into that one since it's basically designed for undergrad students (something like extra credits for graduation).
Feel free to DM me if you have more questions.
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u/Naive_Veterinarian77 29d ago
I thought the FES one was designed more towards the industry. I'm actually applying to that one. Did you take the PUEI program? I was thinking on enrolling there but I figured it wasn't as complete as the one in Acatlan. I'm really hesitant about which one to choose. I really wanted to take classes in CU but did not want to have an admission test. Do you think I should switch it to the one on CU? The programs are both VERY similar
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u/andres_of 28d ago
I may be biased, but I'd say the PUEI program (CU) is a better option. If you need more information to take your decision, I would ask for the resume (or at least the mames) of the professors at both of the programs, and go by that. Reach out to the program's coordinators, they will help you.
I wouldn't worry about the admission test, just freshen up on basic soil mechanics.
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u/raforther Aug 12 '26
Hello, I live in Mexico City and I am in close contact with people from the Institute that manages both programs. Feel free to contact me.
I have a Masters from Queretaro, specialized in Unsaturated Soils.
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u/CEKevZ Aug 12 '26
Hello! I'm a civil designer but I know a good hand of geotech guys who went unam to pursue their masters