Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Admission Criteria for Study toward the Master's Degree

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers both a Master of Science (MS) with thesis and a Master of Science Degree (MS) without thesis. A student with the appropriate qualifications may apply for admission to the Master's program for either option; however, students pursuing the non-thesis option are unlikely to receive financial aid. The student may change the degree option with the approval of the Director of Graduate Education (DOGE) during the first semester of study.

The Master of Science degree with thesis is the normally expected preparation for Ph.D. study.

All applications are evaluated on the basis of academic record, letters of recommendation, GRE and TOEFL test scores when required. The area in which the applicant proposes to work as well as other considerations such as the ability of the department to provide the necessary instruction, research supervision, and financial support is also considered. The general policy is to admit only those applicants judged to have the highest potential for success as graduate students consistent with the department's resources.

Graduates of domestic engineering schools

Applicants with undergraduate degrees from ABET accredited electrical or computer engineering curricula who are in the upper half of their graduating class are eligible. Applicants are required to submit a recent GRE test result to be considered for full admission. This is not in itself a guarantee of admission as other factors are considered in the evaluation of applications. Graduates of non-accredited electrical and computer engineering curricula may be considered for restricted admission if they meet all other requirements and show outstanding potential for graduate study. Graduates of accredited electrical and computer engineering curricula that fail to meet some admission requirement but otherwise show outstanding potential may also be considered for restricted admission.

All applicants are required to submit a recent GRE test result.

Graduates of foreign engineering schools

Applicants with undergraduate degrees in electrical or computer engineering from foreign universities are required to submit recent TOEFL and GRE test results. They are expected to have a TOEFL score of at least 570 (230 computer based), a GRE Quantitative test score of at least 700 and be in the upper quarter of their graduating class to be considered for admission. These are not in themselves a guarantee of admission as other factors are considered in the evaluation process.

All applicants whose native language is not English will be expected to submit evidence of English proficiency prior to admission . This may be affected with a recent TOEFL score of 570 (230 computer based) or above or other evidence that may be judged relevant by the review committee.

Other applicants

Applicants with undergraduate degrees in engineering disciplines other than electrical or computer engineering or applicants with non-engineering degrees in some closely related science who meet all other requirements for graduates of domestic or foreign engineering schools may be considered for provisional admission. A letter containing details of the student's provisional admission and the program for meeting all deficiencies should be signed by the student's advisor and made part of the student's file.

Concurrent enrollment for undergraduate students

Students currently enrolled in either the undergraduate Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering programs and classified as juniors or seniors, may be eligible to apply for a Concurrent Degree Program. Students will be expected to have a 3.5 or higher grade point average and have no more than 9 undergraduate credits to complete. Application procedures are available on the ECpE website.

Admission Criteria for Study toward the Ph.D. Degree

A master's degree in engineering or a closely related science is required for admission to the department's doctoral program. Students with a Masters Degree from a foreign engineering school shall submit GRE and TOEFL test results as stipulated in graduates of foreign engineering schools. Graduates from domestic schools are required to submit GRE scores. Admission will be either full or provisional depending on the applicant's background. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their master's program, their potential for doctoral level research, and the availability of a major professor in their area of specialization in addition to the previous criteria for admission to the master's program. Only the most outstanding applicants are admitted.

Students with good credentials with a Bachelor of Science degree are encouraged to apply for direct entry to the Ph.D. degree program. Direct entry students will be given provisional admission to be able to complete one year of graduate preparation prior to taking the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination.

Graduates of the department's master's degree program wishing to work towards a Ph.D. degree must apply for readmission to the doctoral program and should consult the Graduate Secretary for information on the procedures to be followed. The request should be made to the Director of Graduate Education.