Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

The master of science program prepares students to enter the workforce with advanced skills or to pursue Ph.D. studies. Master’s degree students include recent undergraduates seeking more technical depth, working engineers who want to advance their career and professionals from other backgrounds seeking to enter the field.


MSEE students must complete a total of 42 credits. Students have the option of choosing a coursework or thesis option of study. The coursework option is typically selected by students who want to work in industry while the thesis option, which involves more in-depth research, is designed for students who may consider pursuing a Ph.D.


Thesis Option

The thesis option requires completing 42 credits, including:

20 credits minimum EE 5xx numerically graded coursework

Excludes seminar courses

Excludes EE 599

13 credits minimum to 17 credits maximum of required research credits

4-8 credits of EE 599 numerically graded research credits

9-13 credits of EE 700 required

4 credits maximum of seminar credits apply to the degree

1 credit EE 500 required

2 credits maximum of non-EE seminars

10 credits maximum of non-EE coursework

4 credits maximum at the 300-level

4 credits maximum of ENGR 601

At least 30 credits total required at the 5xx level or higher

Thesis: A written thesis must be submitted by the student for approval by the Master’s Supervisory Committee, followed by a final oral examination.


Coursework Option

UW ECE offers the opportunity to design their own specialization for students pursuing the coursework option.

The coursework option requires completing 42 credits, including:

24 credits minimum EE 5xx numerically graded courses

Excludes seminar courses

Excludes EE 599

8 credits maximum of EE 599 numerically graded research credits

4 credits maximum of seminar credits to apply to the degree

1 credit EE 500 required

2 credits maximum of non-EE seminars

10 credits maximum of non-EE coursework

4 credits maximum at the 300 level

4 credits maximum of ENGR 601

At least 30 credits total required at the 5xx level or higher

Students may select a variety of EE courses for this option.

Students must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits.

Applicants with Degrees in Other Fields

Students with a strong academic record who hold a degree in a technical field such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science or in another branch of engineering can expect to perform well in UW ECE\u2019s graduate programs \u2014 provided they first develop a basic background in electrical engineering. Students are expected to make up any deficiencies in their electrical engineering background prior to beginning their graduate program.

English Proficiency:

The Graduate School is temporarily accepting official test scores for both the Duolingo English Test and the TOEFL ITP Plus For China to assist international students with remote testing options. This policy is currently in effect through the autumn 2021 admission cycle (i.e., students enrolling in autumn 2021).

TOEFL iBT - Minimum Required Score (ELP Required): 80; Recommended Score (ELP Satisfied): 92 or higher

TOEFL pBT - Minimum Required Score: 500

Duolingo: Minimum Required Score (ELP Required): 105; Recommended Score (ELP Satisfied): 120 or higher

IELTS: Minimum Required Score 6.5