Online MS Proficiency Requirements

Proficiency Requirements for Graduate Students

Before an Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate degree is awarded, a student must demonstrate that they meet the program’s proficiency requirements. This is done either by holding a prior Electrical and Computer Engineering degree from an accredited institution, or if a student has an allied STEM degree they can be admitted to the graduate program and demonstrate proficiency through Options 1 and / or 2.

Option 1: Complete a proficiency course from the list below with a B grade or higher

– Courses taken at another university may be considered, students must submit a transcript and a course syllabus (unless listed on the Utah Universities Course Comparison list) to the Graduate Student Coordinator

– Students choosing to take graduate level proficiency courses may be granted access to the prerequisite undergraduate level Canvas course pages and materials to aid them in their preparation.

– Please make arrangements through the Graduate Student Coordinator; do not contact faculty.

Option 2: Pass all of the exams in an undergraduate (*) proficiency course listed below with a B grade or higher

– Students who wish to meet the proficiency requirement through undergraduate courses are encouraged to schedule a time to take the necessary quizzes, midterms or finals of the undergraduate course.

– Students will not need to officially register/enroll in the class and may be granted access to the Canvas course page to study and prepare for the exams.

– Please make arrangements through the Graduate Student Coordinator; do not contact faculty.

Proficiency Areas and Courses

 Area 1: Circuits – Electronics – Semi-Conductors
Complete 1 of the following options

ECE 2280* – Circuits and Systems: Active
ECE 3200* – Introduction to Semiconductor Device Physics
ECE 5201 – Physics of Nano-Electronics and Related Devices
ECE 5780 or ECE 6780 – Embedded System Design
CS/ECE 6810 – Computer Architecture – for CE track only

Area 2: Electromagnetic Fields – Systems – Power
Complete 1 of the following options

ECE 3300* – Fundamentals of Electromagnetics
ECE 3500* – Fundamentals of Signals and Systems
ECE 3600* – Introduction to Electric Power Engineering
ECE 3610* – Fundamentals of Robotics and Cyberphysical Systems
ECE 5320 or ECE 6322 – Microwave Engineering I
ECE 5321 or ECE 6323 – Microwave Engineering II
ECE 5324 – Antenna Theory and Design
ECE 5410 – Optics I
ECE 5412 – Optics II
ECE 5510 – Random Processes
ECE 5520 – Digital Communication Systems
ECE 5530 or ECE 6530 – Digital Signal Processing
ECE 5615 or 6615 – Classical Control Systems – Starting Spring 2025
ECE 5620 – Power Systems Analysis
ECE 5652 or ECE 6652 – Linear Systems and State-Space Control
ECE 6310 – Advanced Electromagnetic Fields

by Elizabeth Rowberry

How to Apply for Online Program

Electrical and Computer Engineering

ONLINE MASTER'S ADMISSIONS

Start your Application

DEADLINES

Applications received after the MS priority deadline will be charged an additional $30 late fee for processing. All applications received after the final deadline may be rejected without consideration or recommended for admittance or re-application to a later semester.

FALL 2024

SPRING 2025

PRIORITY – April 1
FINAL – June 30

Applications will
open in August

Start your Application

APPLICATION FEE

Application Fee = $55

The application fee may be paid online during the application process. The application will not be considered complete and eligible for review until the application fee has been received. All applications received after the priority deadline will be charged an additional $30 late fee for processing. Applications completed after the final deadline may not be eligible for consideration.

DEADLINES

Semester Deadline Decision
Spring 2024 Priority – Nov 1
Final – Dec 1		 Dec 15
Fall 2024 Priority – Apr 1
Final – Jun 30		 Aug 5

PROGRAM GPA REQUIREMENTS

A 3.0+ GPA is required by the University of Utah, a 3.2+ GPA is recommended by the ECE department.

Records are not pre-evaluated. If your GPA and/or test scores are slightly below the cutoffs, please do not email asking about your scores. Applicants must make their own decision about whether or not to apply. Domestic applicants that do not meet required university scores should use the process detailed in the FAQ section below.

ACADEMIC HISTORY

You must upload a separate transcript for each institution you have previously attended. Do not upload grade summary reports, degree audit reports, or credential evaluations. For schools that do not issue transcripts, please upload a mark sheet (and degree certificate, if applicable). All documents must be in English. If your original documentation is in a language other than English, please provide a certified English translation in addition to the original documentation.

If you are still in the process of completing a degree during the application process you must upload the most up-to-date transcript possible that show that you are currently enrolled in courses otherwise the system will hold your application and request that you submit a degree certificate.

Each transcript must contain the following information:

    • Name of student
    • Name of institution
    • All semesters of enrollment

    • Course numbers and names
    • Credit hours
    • Awarded grades

All transcripts submitted with your application are considered unofficial and are used for initial admissions evaluation only. If you are admitted to the University of Utah, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the end of your first semester of enrollment. Students will not be permitted to continue their enrollment until all official transcripts are received by the Office of Admissions (sent to us directly from the institution). The University of Utah reserves the right to require the submission of official credentials at any time during the admission review process.

GRADUATE RECORDS EXAMINATION (GRE)

Applicants with a STEM bachelor’s degree may waive the GRE exam. 

If you take the GRE exam, applicants are expected to score:

  • Quantitative = 158+
  • Analytical = 3.5+
  • Verbal = 150+.

A GRE scores that are under these expected thresholds will not automatically be rejected.  All applications will be reviewed.

Scores may be sent directly to the University of Utah using ETS Code 4853

Test scores will not be paired with an application until it has been submitted. The process of receiving and pairing official test scores with an applicant’s file can take 10-15 business days from the time that an application is submitted and/or the time that  the applicant requests their test scores be sent to the University of Utah.

FUNDING

The following are options that our graduate program accepts:

FACULTY ADVISORS AND AREAS OF INTEREST

Although not required for admission to our online program, the application will ask you for a list of the professors in the department with whom you share research interests. You can view all ECE Professors organized by research area

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

A .5 – 1 page statement or essay describing the applicant’s background, research interests, and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in the University of Utah’s electrical and computer engineering department.

Applicants whose test scores are below, but close to the recommended score cutoffs, are allowed to use this space to petition the graduate committee for an admission exception by explaining the reasons for their low scores, how they have improved, and plans for how they will meet department graduate expectations if admitted. This process does not guarantee that applicants will be admitted as the department. Applicants that do not meet required university scores should use the process detailed in the FAQ section below.

RESUME / CV

The online admission system will request a resume or curriculum-vitae (CV) detailing your relevant work history and research experience – see student resume samples

RECOMMENDATION CRITERIA

    • Contact information for 3 recommendation providers
    • Recommendations should come from current or former professors who have direct coursework or research experience with the applicant, or a direct supervisor who from a field related to electrical and computer engineering
    • Letters of Recommendations can be submitted, but are not required

Our system will contact your recommendation providers directly to submit a recommendation on your behalf through our online system. All recommendations must be completed online.

You are required to have at least 3 individuals submit recommendations on your behalf. If you are concerned that any of the individuals may not complete their recommendation forms in a timely manner, you are welcome to provide contact information for more recommenders. When at least 3 recommenders have completed their online forms then your application will be allowed to move through the system.

APPLICATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If do not meet initial admissions requirements (3.0 GPA or higher) there is an alternative pathway that you can take to be considered for the MS Program. This option is only available for domestic applicants or international applicants already residing in the United States on an F2 or H4 visa (we cannot sponsor an F1 visa for non-matriculated students).

  1. Apply as a non-matriculated student for the upcoming semester
  2. After being accepted please schedule an appointment with the Graduate Student Coordinator
  3. The Graduate Student Coordinator will enroll you in 2 courses (6 credits) of ECE graduate coursework
  4. After completing the courses with a B+ grade or higher you may apply to the program.
  5. Any 5000- level or above courses that have been taken (including non-matriculated credits) can be counted toward your MS degree requirements. See Graduate Transfer Credit page for more details

Students with allied STEM degrees (i.e. Other Engineering, CS, Math, Physics) are welcome to apply! Here are the steps to ensure you are admitted and properly prepared to be successful in our ECE MS Program:

  1. Apply as a non-matriculated student
  2. After being accepted please schedule an appointment with the Graduate Student Coordinator to review the proficiency requirements
  3. The Graduate Student Coordinator will enroll you in ECE courses
  4. After completing the proficiency courses with a B+ grade or higher you may apply to the program.
  5. Any 5000- level or above courses that have been taken (including non-matriculated credits) can be counted toward your MS degree requirements. See Graduate Transfer Credit page for more details

Unfortunately, our online program is only available for applicants residing within the United States. We are not authorized to charge tuition and conduct classes for individuals residing outside of the United States. If an international candidate is already living in the US with a valid visa they are welcome to apply.

No, an application will be considered by the ECE Graduate Committee unless the application file is complete. All application materials must be received by the application deadline or the application will not be reviewed.

ONLINE PROGRAM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes! Our courses are offered via Interactive Video Content (IVC or “Zoom”) or completely asynchronously online via Canvas with per-recorded videos. Not all courses are offered with both options. It is up to you to decide which option would work best for you to decide which courses to take.

Unfortunately, no. But we are working constantly to expand our course selections for our students. Some classes also require group or in-person lab work and cannot be offered online.

You can use our Tuition Estimator, otherwise:

Full-time status is considered 9 credits for a graduate student, but a majority of online study usually take 3-6 credits each semester.

Detailed information about the ECE Department, faculty’s research interests, ongoing research projects, and recent technical papers are located at www.ece.utah.edu. Applicants should check the website regularly for updated information.

by Elizabeth Rowberry

Online Course Offerings

Make Your Learning Your Own

Choose Your Schedule and Your Pace

We understand that many students are eager to move through their studies and complete their degree quickly. Students can graduate in fewer calendar years by transferring previously earned graduate credits and/or choosing the project option and completing it during the summer term. For further advisement, please contact our program’s Graduate Student Coordinator.

Every student has different goals and challenges as well as strengths and capabilities. Because of this we offer students the ability choose each semester how many courses they wish to take. Whether it is just 1-2 courses at a time or a full course load of 3-5 courses, students can choose the pace of their learning. We do not use cohorts so students are not locked in to any schedule. The following examples are just guidelines to show how a student could plan out their degree:

3 Semesters   |   1-1.5 Years

This schedule is designed for students who have the time and capacity to complete the program full-time (9+ credits).

Coursework

Full course load of 3-4 courses per semester with technical and professional course options

Semester Courses Credits
1 3 9.0
2 4 12.0
3 3 9.0
TOTAL 10 30.0

Project

1 professional and 3 technical courses per semester with a summer project

Semester Courses Credits
1 4 12.0
2 4 12.0
Summer Project 6.0
TOTAL 8 30.0

Suggested Programs of Study

These are guides to be used to help you plan out your degree, you are not required to follow them exactly and are encouraged to pick the courses and pacing that is right for you.

Fall Start

Spring Start

5 Semesters   |   2-2.5 Years

A schedule like this is for students who are currently working and don’t have the capacity to be full-time students but feel capable of managing a steady pace of courses (2 per semester).

Coursework

A part-time schedule of 5 semesters of coursework, with 2 courses each term

Semester Courses Credits
1 2 6.0
2 2 6.0
3 2 6.0
4 2 6.0
5 2 6.0
TOTAL 10 30.0

Project

A part-time schedule of 4 semesters of coursework, with 2 courses each term, and a project during the summer semester

Semester Courses Credits
1 2 6.0
2 2 6.0
3 2 6.0
4 2 6.0
Summer Project 6.0
TOTAL 8 30.0

Suggested Schedules

9 Semesters  |  4 Years

Slow and steady wins the race.  This schedule is designed for students who prefer the flexibility to pace themselves to avoid burnout to reach educational goals whether its because they are working full-time with many responsibilities or even for those who prefer to take things slow to stay on top of the material.

Project

A reduced and extended part-time schedule of 8 semesters of coursework, with 1 course per term, and a summer project

Year 1

Semester Credits
Fall
 3.0
Spring
 3.0

Year 2

Semester Credits
Fall
 3.0
Spring
 3.0

Year 3

Semester Credits
Fall
 3.0
Spring
 3.0
Summer
 6.0 – Project

Year 4

Semester Credits
Fall
 3.0
Spring
 3.0
TOTAL
 30.0

Suggested Schedules

ONLINE

Majorly asynchronous courses that can be completed nearly anytime and anywhere

REMOTE REAL-TIME

Have the experience of being in class anywhere in the US with same-time delivery via Zoom

This list is provided as a guide to our course offerings. Semester offerings are subject to change based on instructor availability and enrollment. You can view current course offerings for upcoming semesters by viewing the University of Utah General Catalog & Class Schedules for the appropriate semester.

*Note: MST courses come with a differential tuition of an additional $300.58 per credit.

CourseTypeOfferedFormat
ECE 5201 Phys of Nano-Elec. DevicesAlliedFallOnline
ECE 5510 Random ProcessAlliedFallOnline
ECE 5520 Digital Communication SystemsAlliedSpringRemote Real-Time
ECE 5620 Power Systems AnalysisAlliedSpringOnline
ECE 6221 Fundamentals of MicromachiningAdvanced ECEFall, SpringOnline
ECE 6310 Advanced EM FieldsAdvanced ECESpring (even years)Online, Remote Real-Time
ECE 6322 Microwave Engineering IAdvanced ECEFallOnline
ECE 6323 Microwave Engineering IIAdvanced ECESpring (odd years)Remote Real-Time
ECE 6324 Antenna Theory & DesignAdvanced ECESpringOnline
ECE 6331 Optics for EnergyAdvanced ECEFallOnline, Remote Real-Time
ECE 6340 Comp. EM w/ Code WritingAdvanced ECESpring (even years)Online
ECE 6520 Information TheoryAdvanced ECESpring (odd years)Online
ECE 6530 Digital Signal ProcessingAdvanced ECEFallOnline
ECE 6590 Software RadioAdvanced ECEFall (odd years)Online
ECE 6630 Power System EconomicsAdvanced ECESpringRemote Real-Time
ECE 6670 Control of Electric MotorsAdvanced ECESpringOnline
ECE 6671 Electric GeneratorsAdvanced ECEFallOnline
ECE 6710 Digital VLSI DesignAdvanced ECEFallOnline
ECE 6720 Fundamentals of Analog IC DesignAdvanced ECEFallRemote Real-Time
ECE 6735 Data ConvertersAdvanced ECESpringRemote Real-Time
ECE 6950 Special Study (MS Project Option)
Contact the Graduate Student Coordinator to register		Advanced ECESpring, Summer, FallOnline
ECE 6960 Special Topics: PowerAdvanced ECESpringRemote Real-Time
ECE 6960 Professional Development (LEAN Canvas)Advanced ECESpring 2024Online, Remote Real-Time
ECE 6960 Special Topics: Neural Data Analysis and ModelingAdvanced ECEFallOnline
ECE 6961 Fundamentals of Wireless CommunicationsAdvanced ECESpringOnline
*MST 6200 Professional Development for EngineersAlliedFallOnline
*MST 6210 Operations & Project ManagementAlliedSpringOnline starting 2025
*MST 6110 Business Development EngineersAlliedSummerOnline starting 2025
ME EN 6160 Fund. of Systems EngineeringAlliedFallOnline
ME EN 6183 Discrete Event Systems SimulationAlliedFallOnline
ME EN 6165 Requirements of Engineering & ManagementAlliedSpringOnline
CS 5530 Database SystemsAlliedSpringOnline
CS 6490 Network SecurityAlliedSpringOnline
CS 6491 Software & System SecurityAlliedSpringOnline
CS 6968 Special Topics: Designing Citizen Science SystemsAlliedSpringOnline

by Elizabeth Rowberry

Online Tuition

Tuition & Fees

Zero-Hour Tuition

Students are charged a zero-hour tuition to enroll for the semester, plus a per credit hour charge and fees to cover various services.

Books and Course Materials

Some classes may require students to purchase books or other course materials. The cost of books is not included in tuition, and the exact amount each student spends on course materials will vary. You can purchase books by visiting the campus bookstore website.

Program Costs

Please consult the following charts to see a breakdown of Tuition and Fees for Engineering Graduate Programs. We hope to soon offer residential tuition rates to all online students starting Fall 2024!

Tuition Estimates

1.5 years (3 semesters) for completion. 3-4 courses per semester for those who can commit to a full-time student schedule.

Utah Resident

TUITION AND FEES
 ESTIMATED COSTS
1st Semester (9 credits) $4,502.99
2nd Semester (12 credits) $5,680.25
3rd Semester (9 credits) $4,502.99
Books & Course Materials $500
Total $15,186.23

Non-Resident

TUITION AND FEES
 APPROXIMATE COSTS
1st Semester (9 credits) $13,806.95
2nd Semester (12 credits) $17,256.20
3rd Semester (9 credits) $13,806.95
Books & Course Materials $500
Total $45,370.10

Tuition Estimates

Two years (5 semesters) for completion. Two courses per semester. Recommended for students working part time.

Utah Resident

  Current Costs for Online Students
1st Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,325.73
2nd Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,325.73
3rd Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,325.73
4th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,325.73
5th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,325.73
Books & Course Materials (Estimated) $500
Total $17,128.65

Non-Resident (Domestic Applicants Only)

  Current Costs for Online Students
1st Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $10,357.70
2nd Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $10,357.70
3rd Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $10,357.70
4th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $10,357.70
5th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $10,357.70
Books & Course Materials (Estimated) $500
Total $51,788.5

Empty tab. Edit page to add content here.

The precise costs of tuition and mandatory fees for the Utah online Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree depends on several factors: students are charged a zero-hour tuition to enroll for the semester, plus a per credit hour charge and fees to cover various services. We hope to soon offer residential tuition rates to all online students starting Fall 2024!

Books and Course Materials

Some classes may require students to purchase books or other course materials. The cost of books is not included in tuition, and the exact amount each student spends on course materials will vary. You can purchase books by visiting the campus bookstore website.

Program Costs

All Online students will be charged according to resident rate. Please Consult the following chart to see a breakdown of Tuition and Fees for Engineering Graduate Programs – Utah Residents.

Two years (four semesters) for completion. Two or three courses per semester. Recommended for students working part time.

  Current Costs for Online Students
1st Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,325.73
2nd Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,325.73
3rd Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,325.73
4th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,325.73
4th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,325.73
Books & Course Materials (Estimated) $500
Total $17,128.65

Two and a half years (five semesters for completion). Two courses per semester. Recommended for students working full time.

  Current Costs for Online Students
1st Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,662.56
2nd Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,662.56
3rd Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,662.56
4th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,662.56
5th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $3,662.56
Books & Course Materials (Estimated) $1,500
Additional Online Fees ($60 per course) for 10 courses $600
Total $20,412.80

Non-Residents – Section 090 Courses Only

Enrollment in only courses that are under Section 090 are assessed charges at a discounted Non-Resident Tuition Rate, according to the below schedule as these are part of a specific program that has no room for customization of the courses/degree program.

Consult the following chart to see a breakdown of Tuition and Fees for Online MSECE (Section 090 Courses Only).

Two years (four semesters) for completion. Two or three courses per semester. Recommended for students working part time.

  Current Costs for Online Students
1st Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $6,627.52
2nd Semester Tuition and Fees (9 credits) $9,265.36
3rd Semester Tuition and Fees (9 credits) $9,265.36
4th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $6,627.52
Books & Course Materials (Estimated) $1,500
Additional Online Fees ($60 per course) for 10 courses $600
Total $33,885.76

Two and a half years (five semesters for completion): Two courses per semester. Recommended for students working full time.

  Current Costs for Online Students
1st Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $6,627.52
2nd Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $6,627.52
3rd Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $6,627.52
4th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $6,627.52
5th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $6,627.52
Books & Course Materials (Estimated) $1,500
Additional Online Fees ($60 per course) for 10 courses $600
Total $35,237.60

Non-Resident Students – Hybrid Section 090 and IVC

Enrollment in a mixture of courses that are under Section 090 and Interactive Video Classes (IVC) are assessed charges at the standard Non-Resident Tuition Rate, according to the below schedule. Enrollment in this track allows for a much more expanded curriculum and a customized degree program.

Consult the following chart to see a breakdown of Tuition and Fees for Engineering Graduate Programs – Non-Residents.

Two years (four semesters): Two or three courses per semester. Recommended for students working part time.

  Current Costs for Online Students
1st Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $10,327.94
2nd Semester Tuition and Fees (9 credits) $13,636.85
3rd Semester Tuition and Fees (9 credits) $13,636.85
4th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $10,327.94
Books & Course Materials (Estimated) $1,500
Additional Online Fees ($60 per course) for 10 courses $600
Total $50,029.58

Two and a half years (five semesters for completion): Two courses per semester. Recommended for students working full time.

  Current Costs for Online Students
1st Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $10,327.94
2nd Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $10,327.94
3rd Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $10,327.94
4th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $10,327.94
5th Semester Tuition and Fees (6 credits) $10,327.94
Books & Course Materials (Estimated) $1,500
Additional Online Fees ($60 per course) for 10 courses $600
Total $53,739.70

For more information about the cost of your education, contact an admissions counselor by emailing ecemsonline@utah.edu or calling (888) 684-8510.

Financial Aid

Online students may be eligible to take out federal or private loans to cover tuition and other education-related costs. All students interested in financial assistance should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

University of Utah FAFSA school code: 003675

For more information, contact the University Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid:

by Elizabeth Rowberry

Online Curriculum

Program Overview

The degree is completed at 30 credits (approx. 10 courses). Classes lasts one semester, and full-time students taking 9 or more credit hours per semester can complete the program in less than 2 years.

As students complete assignments on a weekly basis they will have opportunities to participate in virtual faculty office hours.

The online curriculum includes no requirement to visit the physical campus, though all online graduates are invited to attend in-person commencement exercises as they choose.

Our Master’s Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering has two paths
to choose from to match a student’s educational and professional goals

COURSEWORK

The coursework option is the default and does not contain additional research or writing outside of what is required from their courses. This track is ideal for students who prefer the regular schedule of coursework and are pursuing a Master’s degree for the advantage of enrolling in additional upper-level coursework to broaden their knowledge base.

PROJECT

The project option can be used to fulfill up to 6 of the 30 credits required for the degree through an individualized learning experience.  This track is ideal for students who want to perform an in-depth research project with faculty or apply current industry experience towards their degree.

Read More

Course Types

Building next-generation engineering skills means providing course options that explore innovation in the virtual learning environment. The University of Utah offers online courses that are taught in two different formats.

– Online (Section 090) – A class facilitated online, primarily through Canvas, with greater than 80 percent of the required learning activities taking place digitally when a student chooses. An online class does not have required locations or meeting times; although, regular, substantive instructor-student interactions are an expected part of the teaching and learning process.

– Interactive Video Classes (IVC) – A fully digital class that uses same-time delivery using web video technology. The class has a scheduled meeting time. Canvas serves as the class location and includes learning materials and links to join the class video meetings. Most ECE courses are offered with this option, although which courses have an IVC option and when they are taught is at the discretion of the instructor. Most IVC courses are also recorded via Zoom, which allows students to view the class time asynchronously. Discuss with the professor teaching each course if it is a good option for you and your schedule.

Please be aware that tuition and fees will vary significantly based on the course format.


Program Requirements

This schedule summarizes the requirements and due dates for the MS Degree – Coursework Option. Students who have not completed requirements or submitted required forms to the Graduate Coordinator by the due dates may be dropped from the program. Students should graduate in the semester in which 32 hours of coursework are completed. All students who are on visas must be registered for at least 9 credit hours of coursework in every semester (excluding summer), including their final semester, unless they receive permission from the Department Graduate Committee prior to the beginning of the semester.

 

Requirement Process Due Date
Supervisory Committee 3 members

The chair of the committee must be a regular ECE faculty member

The chair is chosen by the student; the two remaining members are assigned by the department.

 Submit a Request for Supervisory Committee Form.

To amend, resubmit form.

 Full time: drop deadline of second semester of study

Part time*: drop deadline of third semester of study

*Please note that international students must be full-time students.
Candidacy (Program of Study) 32 semester hours of coursework beyond B.S. degree in ECE including:

  • 2 hours of Graduate Seminar
  • At least 18 hours of ECE coursework must be at the 6000- or 7000-level classes
 Submit a Program of Study Form

In preparation to submit a Program of Study form, it is recommended that students use it is recommended that students use the MS Electrical Engineering checklist and/or meet with the Graduate Coordinator.

 Full time: drop deadline of second semester of study

Part time*: drop deadline of third semester of study

Changes must be made before an added class is taken; classes cannot be dropped after they have been completed
Proficiency Requirement Yes, students with a non-EE/ECE B.S. degree must complete additional steps to satisfy the ECE proficiency requirements Submit Fulfillment of Proficiency Requirements Form Full time: drop deadline of third semester of study

Part time*: drop deadline of fourth semester of study
Residency Requirement At least 24 hours must be in resident study
Final Exam The department has an approved list of 6000-7000 level courses that incorporate either an oral presentation or a written report as a required component of the class. The combination of the report and the presentation serves as the final exam. Submit the Final Exam Course Designation Form

Program of Study

A student must complete and submit the Program of Study Form by the end of the second semester of study. After it is approved by the student’s Supervisory Committee and the Director of Graduate Studies it will be submitted to the Graduate School for approval. Modifications to the Program of Study may be made by submitting an Amendment to Program of Study Form for approval prior to registering for added courses with the supervisory committee and obtaining required approval before enrollment in any added courses. Completed courses cannot be removed from the program of study. Credit towards obtaining a degree will not be granted for classes taken prior to approval of the form, unless the student is changing degree status. In preparation to submit a Program of Study form, it is recommended that students meet with the Graduate Coordinator to review the following requirements and criteria:

Requirements

All coursework is to be completed within 4 consecutive calendar years. The Program of Study must include a minimum of 30 hours of graduate coursework including:

    • A minimum of 18 hours of ECE courses must be at the 6000 or 7000 level**
    • Up to 12 credit hours of 5000-7000 level allied courses will be accepted (MST, CS, MATH, PHYSICS, or any Engineering)
    • Final Exam Requirement:
      • Coursework Option: B+ grade or higher in a department approved course
      • Project Option: Completion of ECE 6950 project requirements

Additional Criteria

    • A minimum GPA of 3.0 on coursework listed on the program of study with no grade lower than C- is required for graduation. Courses cannot be removed from the Program of Study after they are taken. If a student receives a grade lower than C- in a course listed on the Program of Study they must repeat that same course and receive a higher grade.
    • Students who receive an “Incomplete” grade in a class must complete the class by the following semester, even if it is the summer semester.
    • Coursework cannot be used for more than one degree on the same level.
    • Cross-listed courses must be registered through the ECE course numbers.
    • A course taken for 5000-level credit cannot be taken again for 6000-level credit.
      • Where a course has both a 5000- and 6000-level number, the 5000-level version is intended for undergraduates and the 6000-level version for honors and graduate students. The two versions of the class will meet together, but extra work will be expected of honors and graduate students.

 

Overview

A student’s supervisory committee will guide the student’s graduate program and must be selected by the beginning of the second semester of study. If a student does not choose a committee, they will be placed with the default supervisory committee. The MS supervisory committee consists of three members – at least two of the committee members must be tenure-line ECE faculty members.

A student must form their committee by the beginning of their second semester of study by completing the Request for Supervisory Committee Form. A committee may be revised, if necessary, by submitting an Amendment to Supervisory Committee Form.

Committee Member Criteria

A student’s MS faculty advisor is the committee chair. The chair* and majority of the committee (2 out of 3 committee members) need to be:

  1. University of Utah Faculty
  2. Electrical and Computer Engineering (as Academic Home Department)
  3. Tenure-Line

A list of faculty and their classifications can be verified on the OBIA Faculty Information page. If a committee member does not meet all three of these requirements, they are considered an Outside Committee Member. A MS Supervisory Committee is permitted to have one Outside Committee Member. If the Outside Committee Member is not University of Utah faculty, the student must request and submit their Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Justification Letter for approval by the Graduate Committee. For more information, read Rules for Outside Member Necessities.

Any exceptions to these criteria must be submitted as a petition and are not guaranteed approval by the Dean of the Graduate School.

*Tenure-line faculty outside of the ECE Department may supervise a student, but the student must have a tenure-line ECE faculty member serve as co-chair.

Coursework Option

The department has an approved list of 6000-7000 level courses that incorporate either an oral presentation or a written report as a required component of the class. Students will select which course to use to fulfill this requirement with the Final Exam Course Designation Form.  Once completed, the Supervisory Committee and Director of Graduate Studies must approve it to signify that the student has passed the final exam.

Project Option

  • A written report and/or presentation is required as the Final Exam for the project, as defined by the project supervisor*.
  • If the supervisor is not an ECE faculty member, the supervisor should discuss the student’s performance on the project with the student’s supervisory committee chair.
  • When the project is completed, students need to submit the Project Final Exam Form prior to the last day of their final semester.

*Generally, our faculty expects a 10-page report that summarizes the research and project that the student has completed. While a published work is always encouraged, it is not required. An oral presentation can be done in front of a class or a small lab meeting and can be 5-10 minutes so long as it sufficiently shows mastery of the material produced in the project. The project advisor sets the requirements of whether a student must complete a written report and/or oral presentation.

Your safety is our top priority. In an emergency, dial 911 or seek a nearby emergency phone (throughout campus). Report any crimes or suspicious people to 801-585-COPS; this number will get you to a dispatch officer at the University of Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS). If at any time, you would like to be escorted by a security officer to or from areas on campus, DPS will help — just give a call.

The University of Utah seeks to provide a safe and healthy experience for students, employees, and others who make use of campus facilities. In support for this goal, the University has established confidential resources and support services to assist students who may have been affected by harassment, abusive relationships, or sexual misconduct. A detailed listing of University Resources for campus safety can be found at https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/campussafety.php

Your well-being is key to your personal safety. If you are in crisis, call 801-587-3000; help is close.  The university has additional excellent resources to promote emotional and physical wellness, including the following:

Counselors and advocates in these centers can help guide you to other resources to address a range of issues, including substance abuse and addiction.

You may also call the ECE department at 801-581-6941 if you need help or have questions.

by Elizabeth Rowberry

Online Master's FAQ

If do not meet initial admissions requirements (3.0 GPA or higher) there is an alternative pathway that you can take to be considered for the MS Program. You should complete the following steps:

  1. Apply as a non-matriculated student
  2. After being accepted please schedule an appointment with the Graduate Student Coordinator to review the proficiency requirements
  3. The Graduate Student Coordinator will enroll you in ECE courses
  4. After completing the proficiency courses with a B+ grade or higher you may apply to the program.
  5. Any courses taken 5000- level or above can be counted toward your MS degree requirements. See Graduate Transfer Credit page for more details.

Students with allied (i.e. Other Engineering, CS, Math, Physics) or non-ECE degrees are welcome to apply! Here are the steps to ensure you are admitted and properly prepared to be successful in our ECE MS Program:

  1. Apply as a non-matriculated student
  2. After being accepted please schedule an appointment with the Graduate Student Coordinator to review the proficiency requirements
  3. The Graduate Student Coordinator will enroll you in ECE courses
  4. After completing the proficiency courses with a B+ grade or higher you may apply to the program.
  5. Any courses taken 5000- level or above can be counted toward your MS degree requirements. See Graduate Transfer Credit page for more details.

Yes! Our courses are offered via Interactive Video Content (IVC or “Zoom”) or completely asynchronously online via Canvas with per-recorded videos. Not all courses are offered with both options. It is up to you to decide which option would work best for you to decide which courses to take.

Unfortunately, no. But we are working constantly to expand our course selections for our students. Some classes also require group or in-person lab work and cannot be offered online.

Empty section. Edit page to add content here.

You can use our Tuition Estimator, otherwise:

Full-time status is considered 9 credits for a graduate student, but a majority of online study usually take 3-6 credits each semester.

by Elizabeth Rowberry

Graduate Online Faculty and Staff

Online ECE Directory

The faculty for the University of Utah MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering operate on the frontiers of their specialties. They are active researchers – and in many cases entrepreneurs – who pave the way for theoretical innovations and practical applications in their respective fields. They lead teams exploring areas like high-performance computing, digital signal processing, nanotechnology, and wireless microsystems. The instructors in the online MSECE program are the same world-class faculty who teach on-campus courses at Utah. Their experience with the real-world applications of engineering concepts inform high-quality online lectures and individualized mentorship. Students benefit from small classes with opportunities for one-on-one meetings with highly knowledgeable faculty. The ECE faculty engage with students’ individual projects and research interests, guiding them toward achieving professional excellence and finding commercial applications for their ideas.

John Bolke

Tuition Benefits

Academic Advising Coordinator

Liz Rowberry

Advisor: BS/MS, MS, and PhD; Graduate Admissions

Graduate Student Coordinator

Rong Rong Chen

Associate Professor

Signal processing and communication systems: efficient utilization of multiple antennas for high-rate communications in wireless networks, statistical detection methods for underwater acoustic communications, and other fields related to communication systems and statistical signal processing.

Behrouz Farhang

Professor

Filter bank multicarrier communications for underwater acoustic channels, cognitive radios, and multiple access networks; detection algorithms for MIMO and OFDM; implementations on hardware platforms.

Cynthia Furse

Director of Graduate Studies, ACES Fellow

Distinguished Professor

Electromagnetics, Intermittent fault location for aircraft wiring, antenna design and optimization, communications, bioelectromagnetics, and engineering education.

Hanseup Kim

Department Chair; Director, Utah Nanofab

USTAR Professor

Biological nano- and micro-systems in moving fluids for medical applications including micro- pumps and valves. System integration in robotics and energy harvesting for micro- robots, actuators, hydraulics, energy harvesting systems, and manufacturing technology

Rajesh Menon

USTAR Professor

Optics and nanotechnology: absorbance modulation optical lithography, patterning via optical saturable transitions, optical nanoscopy, and ultra-high frequency solar energy via a nanostructured polychromatic concentrator

Neda Nategh

Associate Professor

Visual computation and computational vision: Research in our lab employs an interdisciplinary approach to understand the real-time, robust, and efficient visual computations performed by our natural vision and to translate this knowledge into computational vision frameworks for machine vision applications, artificial vision solutions, and imaging systems.

John Palmer

Associate Professor (Lecturer)

Power System Protection: cause and origin analysis of electrical accidents, electrical equipment failures, electrical fires, structural fires, vehicle fires, and explosions

Masood Parvania

Roger P. Webb Endowed Associate Professor

Operation and planning of cyber-physical power and energy systems, with emphasis on the modeling and integration of distributed energy resources, as well as sustainable renewable energy integration

Mike Scarpulla

Professor

Semiconductors and photovoltaics: earth-abundant, benign compound semiconductors for thin film photovoltaics such as Cu2ZnSnS4. Other sulfide semiconductors for PV, light management for thin film PV, CIGS, laser processing of semiconductors, and the physics of semiconductor alloys and transition metal and rare earth additions to semiconductors.

David Schurig

Associate Professor

Metamaterials: Design, analysis and fabrication of metamaterials in frequency ranges from megahertz to petahertz. Transformation design of devices implementable with metamaterials. Applications include: remote sensing, near-field imaging, biological imaging, implantable devices, electro-mechanical devices and invisibility cloaking.

Florian Solzbacher

Gerald and Barbara Stringfellow Endowed Professor

Harsh Environment MEMS, including: materials (SiC (on Si), SOI, GaN), metallisation systems for high temperatures and aggressive ambient conditions, and silicon fusion bonding and packaging issues

Armin Tajalli

Associate Professor

Integrated wireline and wireless systems, energy-efficient integrated systems, high-speed wireline systems, RF circuits, data converters, phase-locked loops and frequency synthesisers, analog integrated circuits, extremely low power integrated systems

Tolga Tasdizen

Associate Chair, USTAR Professor

Image processing and pattern recognition, specifically: geometry-based and statistics-based methods for image filtering, segmentation and feature extraction using high-order partial differential equations for image and surface reconstruction; applying these methods to problems in biomedical imaging, particularly neural circuit reconstruction from very large-scale microscopy image datasets

Darrin Young

USTAR Associate Professor

Low-power integrated circuits design coupled with MEMS-based sensing systems for wearable sensing, biomedical implant, environmental sensing, power transfer, RF communication, and general industrial sensing applications

Electromagnetics

Dr. Cynthia Furse
Email: cfurse@ece.utah.edu

Contact faculty for upcoming projects

Optics / Optoelectronics

Dr. Rajesh Menon
Email: rmenon@eng.utah.edu

Upcoming Projects: Deep-Neural Networks for Next-generation Imaging

Power

Dr. Masood Parvania
Email: masood.parvania@utah.edu

Contact faculty for upcoming projects

by Elizabeth Rowberry

Online Master's

University of Utah

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Remote Learning Master's

Apply Now
Learn More

#8

National Public University

As ranked by the
Wall Street Journal

30

Credits

Required credits can be filled with a mixture of Virtual Video Classes and Asychronous Online options

3

Semesters

Average taken for full-time students. Many part-time students complete in 3 years or less.

$21K

Median Salary Increase

As reported by
University of Utah
ECE Graduate Degree recipients

ENGINEER YOUR PERFECT CLASS SCHEDULE

You can now complete your MS degree in electrical and computer engineering online at the University of Utah. This innovative new platform allows non-traditional students and working professionals like yourself the opportunity to get a higher degree on your time and anywhere that’s convenient. It’s the same challenging curriculum you would take on campus but with the flexibility of instruction over the web. Click below to learn more about the program or to apply for the next available semester.

by betaece