M.S. in Electrical & Computer Engineering

Accepting Autumn Quarter 2022 applications until August 1st 

Applicants should contact their Graduate Advisor, Victoria Olive (olivev@uw.edu), with questions about the admission requirements, application process, and/or the MSECE program itself. She's also available for one-on-one advising appointments, which you can book here.

Admission to the MSECE program requires students to have:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or other related fields from a regionally accredited institution (or an equivalent international degree) with minimum 3.0 GPA, and
• English language proficiency. This requirement can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:
  • A degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or another nation where English is the main language, such U.K. or Australia to cite but a few
  • A minimum score of 92 on the TOEFLiBT

Applicants without a B.S. degree in either electrical or computer engineering may meet the admission requirements with a Bachelor's degree in a STEM field. To determine admission eligibility, prospective students should contact the MSECE Graduate Programs Advisor.

Applicants must also meet the minimum admission requirements for the Graduate School at the University of Washington, as detailed in Understanding the Application Process.

The MSECE program has two options: the course-work only option or thesis. The coursework option is meant for students who want to seek employment in industry while the thesis option, which involves more in-depth research, is designed for students who may consider pursuing a Ph.D.

The degree requirements for the MSECE program are the following:

• A minimum of 45 credits are required for the MS ECE degree.
• A minimum grade of 2.7 is required in each course counted toward the degree.
• A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required for graduation.
• Students must be registered for at least 2 credits in the quarter the degree is earned.
• Students must complete all degree requirements within six years.

In addition the general requirements, the two options require the following:

Thesis Option Requirements

• Minimum of 15 credits of 500-level TECE courses from the Core course list 
• 9 credits of TECE 700 (thesis), with a maximum of 15 credits 
• Remaining credits (with a minimum of 15) of 500-level TECE or TCSS courses from the electives course list including up to 5 credits of non-ECE, -EE or -CES courses, 400-level or above

Coursework-Only Option Requirements

• Minimum of 15 credits of 500-level TECE courses from the Core course list 
• 5 credits of 500-level TECE Capstone
• Remaining credits (with a minimum of 20) of 500-level TECE or TCSS courses from the electives course list including up to 5 credits of non-ECE, -EE or -CES courses, 400-level or above

Computer Engineering 

• TECE 510 Advanced Computer Architecture
• TECE 512 Advanced Embedded Systems 
• TECE 514 Distributed Systems 
• TECE 521 Advanced VLSI Communication 
• TECE 563 Modern Signal Processing 

In addition to the 25 approved credits above, students in this specialization will take: 

• An additional 15 credits from the electives list, and 5 credits of capstone for the coursework only option
• A combined of 20 credits, including 9-15 credits of thesis and the remaining credits from the electives list
• 5 credits maximum of non-TECE elective credits

Control Systems and Robotics

• TECE 551 Control Systems Design 
• TECE 553 Digital Control Systems 
• TECE 563 Modern Signal Processing
• TECE 565 Advanced Random Signal Processing

In addition to the 20 approved credits above, students in this specialization will take: 

• an additional 20 credits from the electives list, and 5 credits of capstone for the coursework only option
• A combined of 25 credits, including 9-15 credits of thesis and the remaining credits from the electives list
• 5 credits maximum of non-TECE electives credits 

Power and Energy Systems 

• TECE 531 Advanced Power System Operation
• TECE 533 Renewable Energy Systems
• TECE  539 Advanced Power Electronics 
• TECE 563 Modern Signal Processing

In addition to the 20 approved credits above, students in this specialization will take: 

• an additional 20 credits from the electives list, and 5 credits of capstone for the coursework only option
• A combined of 25 credits, including 9-15 credits of thesis and the remaining credits from the electives list
• 5 credits maximum of non-TECE electives credits 

Signal Processing and Communications 

• TECE 563 Modern Signal Processing 
• TECE 565 Advanced Random Signal Processing 
• TECE 523 Wireless IC Design 
• TECE 567 Digital Communications 
• TECE 569 Wireless Communications 

In addition to the 25 approved credits above, students in this specialization will take: 

• A combined of 20 credits, including 9-15 credits of thesis (for the thesis option) or 5 credits of capstone (for the coursework only option) and the remaining credits from the electives list 
• (Optional) 5 credits maximum of non-TECE elective credits 

Core Courses (breadth)

• TECE 510 Advanced Computer Architecture 
• TECE 512 Advanced Embedded Systems 
• TECE 521 Advanced VLSI Communication
• TECE 531 Advanced Power System Operation
• TECE 539 Advanced Power Electronics 
• TECE 551 Control Systems Design 
• TECE 563 Modern Signal Processing
• TECE 565 Advanced Random Signal Processing
• TCSS 555 Machine Learning 

Electives Courses (depth)

• TECE 510 Advanced Computer Architecture 
• TECE 512 Advanced Embedded Systems 
• TECE 514 Distributed Systems
• TECE 521 Advanced VLSI Communication
• TECE 523 Wireless IC Design 
• TECE 531 Advanced Power System Operation
• TECE 533 Renewable Energy Systems 
• TECE 537 Generalized Theory of Electrical Machines and Drives 
• TECE 539 Advanced Power Electronics 
• TECE 551 Control Systems Design 
• TECE 553 Digital Control Systems 
• TECE 555 Nonlinear Systems 
• TECE 557 Optimal and Robust Control 
• TECE 563 Modern Signal Processing
• TECE 565 Advanced Random Signal Processing 
• TECE 567 Digital Communications 
• TECE 569 Wireless Communications 
• TECE 572 Microwave Engineering 
• TECE 573 Advanced Electromagnetics 
• TECE 590 Special Topics in ECE 
• TECE 598 Masters Seminar 
• TECE 599 Capstone in ECE 
• TECE 600 Independent Study or Research 
• TECE 700 Master's Thesis 
• TCSS 555 Machine Learning 
• TCSS 569 Introduction to Cyber-Physical Systems 
• TCSS 571 Wireless and Mobile Networking 
• TCSS 573 Internet of Things 
• TCSS 580 Information Theory 
• TCSS 581 Cryptography 
• TCSS 582 Cryptographic Protocols

Educational Objectives

MSECE graduates will be able to:

1. Design complex engineering devices by applying advanced technology, engineering methodologies and tools.
2. Develop deeper understanding of a subfield of ECE.
3. Communicate professionally and effectively.
4. Collaborate effectively on professional or research teams (Thesis/Coursework-only options).

Learning Outcomes

MSECE graduates will be able to:

1. Master a specific subfield of study within electrical and computer engineering.
2. Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying advanced technology, engineering methodologies and tools.
3. Design and validate a complex device or process that meets realistic constraints.
4. Communicate professionally and effectively with a range of audiences.
5. Collaborate on projects.

Find current tuition information on the UW Tacoma's Office of the Registrar site, under Tier III. Note that costs are different for Washington State Resident and Non-Resident, as shown in the tuition tables.

Most applicable fees are included in the listed tuition rate, but some courses will require additional fees.

Applications are accepted through the UW Graduate School. The process includes:

• Creating or updating your graduate applicant profile (one profile for all program applications)
• Making sure required documents have been submitted
• Paying the application fee

For more details, see SET Graduate Program Application Process.

What our Graduates Do

Graduates of this program are in high demand across a variety of industries, including telecommunications, aerospace, healthcare, energy, and transportation. They are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex engineering problems, and to lead interdisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists to bring these solutions to fruition. In addition to engineering roles, graduates may also pursue careers in research and development, consulting, or academia.

Here are some examples of job prospects for graduates with a M.S. in ECE:

• Telecommunications: Telecommunications is a major area of employment for graduates with an ECE degree. Graduates can work as telecommunications engineers, designing and developing telecommunications systems, such as 5G networks, satellite communication systems, and fiber-optic networks.
• Computer Systems Design: Graduates can also work in computer systems design, designing and developing computer hardware and software. This can include work on computer networks, microprocessors, and embedded systems.
• Aerospace: Graduates can work in the aerospace industry, designing and developing avionics systems, satellite navigation systems, and other electronic systems used in spacecraft and aircraft.
• Healthcare: Graduates can work in the healthcare industry, designing and developing medical devices, such as MRI machines, pacemakers, and diagnostic equipment.
• Energy: Graduates can work in the energy industry, designing and developing renewable energy systems, such as solar and wind power systems, and optimizing energy grids.
• Transportation: Graduates can work in the transportation industry, designing and developing electronic systems used in vehicles, such as self-driving cars and electric vehicles.

Overall, graduates with a Master of Science in ECE are well-equipped for a variety of roles in industries that require advanced engineering knowledge and skills. They can work as engineers, researchers, consultants, and managers, among other roles. The job prospects for graduates with an ECE degree are strong, and demand is expected to continue to grow in the coming years as technology advances and new industries emerge.

Typical Salaries for M.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduates 

Salaries for graduates with a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) vary depending on factors such as industry, location, and years of experience. Here are some general salary statistics for graduates with this degree:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for electrical and electronics engineers, which includes ECE graduates, was $103,390 as of May 2020. According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the median salary for ECE professionals in the United States is $140,000 per year.

In the state of Washington, salaries for graduates with a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) can vary depending on industry, location, and years of experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for electrical and electronics engineers in Washington was $111,300 as of May 2020. According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the median salary for ECE professionals in the Pacific Northwest region, which includes Washington, is $144,000 per year.

Again, it's important to note that these salary statistics are general estimates and may vary depending on a number of factors. Nonetheless, graduates with a Master of Science in ECE in Washington can expect to earn competitive salaries, especially given the state's strong technology industry and high demand for engineering talent.