The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering within the College of Engineering at WSU offers a master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
Our Graduate Degree Programs
Electrical and Computer Engineering
About the Program
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering program prepares graduates for high-paying, high-demand career options in avionics, process control systems, information processing and others—as well as for success in a future doctorate program. You will have access to some of the best research facilities in the country and the chance to work and research with faculty and industry professionals on campus and throughout Kansas’ largest city.
Program Curriculum
Each Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering student chooses a major and minor specialization area. Major areas include communication and signal processing, computing systems, control systems and robotics, and power and energy systems. Any major area can also be chosen as a minor area, and computing is also an option as a minor area. The program consists of at least 30 credit hours and offers three graduating options: thesis, project or coursework.
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Doctor of Philosophy
About the Program
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Electrical and Computer Engineering track) program prepares students for research-oriented careers in several specialization areas. You will have access to some of the best research facilities in the country and the chance to work and research with faculty and industry professionals on campus and throughout Kansas’ largest city.
Program Curriculum
The doctorate program curriculum includes courses that cover all aspects of the field as well as in-depth study and research in chosen specialization areas. To earn the doctorate, students must pass a comprehensive exam, dissertation approval exam, final oral presentation and dissertation defense.
Our Graduate Certificate Programs
Meet the Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Visvakumar Aravinthan
Department Chair and Graduate Coordinator
Phone: (316) 978-6324
Additional Information
Admission
The program admits students with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering or a related area. Students from other engineering fields, mathematics or science can be admitted as well with an extra requirement to complete undergraduate level background deficiency courses determined at the time of admission. Such courses will not count towards the master's degree completion requirements.
To be considered for admission to the program, the minimum requirements are:
- The student must have earned a GPA of at least 3.000 (or an equivalent score from another country) in the bachelor's degree.
- Students whose bachelor’s degree is from an institution outside the U.S. are required to submit official scores of the GRE General Test along with the admission application. However, there is no minimum score requirement.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must provide English proficiency exam scores. One of the following is required: TOEFL score at or above 79 in internet-based exam or IELTS score at or above 6.5.
The following are optional but encouraged, especially if the student’s GPA and/or GRE do not truly reflect the student’s skills and/or abilities:
- Statement of purpose, and/or
- Two letters of recommendation.
Admission into the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Electrical and Computer Engineering track) doctorate program requires:
- Bachelor's or master’s degree, with a minimum GPA of 3.25 on a 4.00 scale in electrical engineering, computer science or a related field
- Support letter from an Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate faculty member at WSU
Program Requirements
Each MS in electrical and computer engineering student must choose one of the three graduating options: thesis, project or coursework‑only. A total of 30 credit hours of graduate work is required for all options. All courses must be approved by the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator. Students are advised to consult their advisor (if thesis or project option) or graduate coordinator (if coursework only option) before taking any courses, especially if they are below 600 level or offered outside the home department (i.e., for courses that are not ECE or CS prefixed).
Students are strongly advised to choose their area of specialization in consultation with their advisor and/or graduate coordinator before completing their first semester. To ensure that students take relevant courses, students should seek approval from their advisor or graduate coordinator at each semester unless they have filed a plan of study. Courses that are taken without prior approval may affect the plan of study process, if deemed not to satisfy the graduation requirements.
Graduating Options
Thesis Option
Students need to complete an in-depth research project. Students should conduct extensive literature review, identify gaps, propose a research question, and seek a solution to the research question. This is ideal for students who desire to develop their research skills or plan to pursue a research career. Students will defend their findings to their thesis committee. One out of the three committee members must be outside the home department. Students can take up to 6 credit hours of independent study courses with their advisors.
| Course / Notes | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 876 | MS Thesis | 6 |
| Select 24 credit hours of graduate courses | 24 | |
|
Students are required to earn at least one graduate certificate from the department of electrical and computer engineering. A list of eligible graduate certificates are listed under the Approved Graduate Certificates header below. |
||
| Course selections must be made in consultation with, and with the consent of, the thesis advisor. | ||
| At most, 6 credit hours of ECE 790 Independent Study | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Project Option
Students solve a specific problem or an issue of significance. Typically, students will find and implement a solution to the problem identified. The problem and its solution might be less original compared to the thesis option. Students will identify a problem, define a solution approach, implement it, collect necessary data and analyze. Students will submit a written project report to a committee of three faculty members (with graduate status) and present their findings. Students are encouraged to take 3 credit hours of independent study courses with their advisors leading to taking project credits.
| Course / Notes | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 878 | MS Directed Project | 3 |
| Select 27 credit hours of graduate courses | 27 | |
| Students are required to earn at least one graduate certificate from the department of electrical and computer engineering. A list of eligible graduate certificates are listed under the Approved Graduate Certificates header below. | ||
| Course selections must be made in consultation with, and with the consent of, the project advisor. | ||
| At most 3 credit hours of ECE 790 Independent Study | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Coursework Option
| Course / Title / Notes | Hours |
|---|---|
| Select 30 credit hours of graduate courses | 30 |
|
One of the following applied learning component courses: |
27 |
| Students are required to earn two graduate certificates approved by the department of electrical and computer engineering, with at least one certificate being from the ECE department itself. A list of eligible graduate certificates are listed under the Approved Graduate Certificates header below. | |
| In addition to courses contributing toward the graduate certificates, all additional courses must be selected from the approved course list provided by the department of ECE. | |
| Course selections must be made in consultation with, and with the consent of, the graduate program coordinator. | |
| At most 3 credit hours of ECE 790 Independent Study. | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Approved Graduate Certificates
- Certificate in Computational Data Science
- Graduate Certificate in Computing Systems
- Graduate Certificate in Control Systems
- Graduate Certificate in Data-Centric Modern Communications
- Graduate Certificate in Energy Engineering
- Graduate Certificate in Power System Operations
- Graduate Certificate in Power System Planning
- Graduate Certificate in Renewable Energy and Storage
Professional and Scholarly Integrity Training Requirement
Completion of a training program in professional and scholarly integrity is a new graduation requirement for all doctoral students admitted into their program in fall 2012 or later and for all masters students admitted to their program in fall 2013 or later.
Helpful Links
Graduate School Homepage Graduate Forms and Publications Graduate Catalog Employment Options
How To Get Started
If you have questions about our graduate programs and certificates, you can contact the department chair and graduate coordinator, Dr. Visvakumar Aravinthan. Otherwise, you can learn about admission.