Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Frequently Asked Questions

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or Electronics Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering). Am I eligible to apply to the M.S. in Engineering program with a concentration in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)? Am I eligible to apply to the Ph.D. in Engineering program with a concentration in CSE?

Admission to the M.S./CSE program requires a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field (typically also Software Engineering or Information Technology). Applicants with degrees in other fields may apply if they can show relevant CSE course work in addition to their original degree studies. Such applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will be decided based on the number of additional courses taken, the grades obtained, and the other information in the application package (GRE scores, GPA, letters, etc.)

Admission to the Ph.D./CSE program requires a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field (typically also Software Engineering or Information Technology). Applicants with degrees in other fields may apply if they can show relevant CSE course work in addition to their original degree studies.

In addition, Ph.D. program applicants should contact individual faculty from the department (whose research areas matches the applicant’s interests) and request to be interviewed for any available Ph.D.-level position and project. If the interview is successful, the faculty will recommend the applicant for admission and funding internally. Currently, we cannot admit new Ph.D. students without this step.

Are GRE test scores required for admission to the EECS Department graduate programs?

Yes, at this time, GRE scores are required for applicants with non-US degrees and for applicants with degrees from US institutions and GPA of less than 2.8/4.0.

 What are the minimum GRE scores for admission to the graduate programs?

Currently, we do not have formal minimum GRE scores, required for admission. The GRE scores are used together with all other information in the application package, and the admission decisions are based on the strength of the current pool of applicants and on the department’s capacity to advise and educate graduate students.

Over the last several years, MS applicants with GRE Quantitative (Q) scores in the 60^th percentile, GRE Verbal (V) scores in the 50^th percentile and GRE Writing (W) score of better than 3.5 have been able to secure admission.  Obtaining funding (teaching/research assistantship or tuition scholarship) or obtaining admission to the PhD program would, in general, require higher GRE scores.

 Can I apply to the Ph.D. program if I don’t have a master’s degree?

Yes, a bachelor’s degree form a relevant field (EE or CSE) will satisfy the requirements for eligibility.

 I am interested in your M.S. program. How do I apply for funding?

All M.S. program applications will be automatically considered for funding and no separate application is required for teaching assistantship or tuition scholarship (these cover only the tuition part of the student’s university bill). However, the available funding is very limited and is offered on a competitive basis.

Research assistantships (which come from individual faculty grants) generally require contacting individual faculty and being interviewed for any available funded positions.

 I am interested in your Ph.D. program. Do I have to talk with any professor in the department before I apply?

Yes, Ph.D. program applicants should contact individual faculty from the department (whose research areas matches the applicant’s interests) and request to be interviewed for any available Ph.D.-level position and project. If the interview is successful, the faculty will recommend the applicant for admission and funding internally. Currently, we cannot admit new Ph.D. students without this step.

 Is your program (M.S or Ph.D.) offered online?

Our Ph.D. and M.S program is not offered and cannot be taken online, although some of our courses for the M.S. program my be offered online.

 Are your graduate programs (M.S. or Ph.D.) offered as part-time programs?

Currently, our graduate programs are offered as full-time only.

MORE QUESTIONS?