Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering: Programs, Specializations, and How to Choose

The programs featured on this page were evaluated across six dimensions that matter most for online electrical engineering students. ABET accreditation was weighted heavily because it directly affects PE licensure eligibility and employer recognition — particularly in power, utilities, and defense sectors where licensure is often a job requirement. We assessed specialization depth by counting the number of distinct concentration tracks and evaluating whether programs offer genuine depth in areas like power systems, signal processing, or microelectronics versus a single generalist curriculum.

Online delivery quality was judged on how programs handle the hands-on challenge inherent to EE: remote labs, simulation software access, hardware kits, and whether campus residencies are required. Cost was evaluated using total estimated tuition for the complete program, not per-credit figures that obscure the real number. Faculty research strength was considered as a proxy for curriculum currency — programs housed in departments with active research in emerging areas (wide-bandgap semiconductors, autonomous systems, 5G/6G communications) tend to offer more relevant elective content. Finally, career outcomes were assessed through alumni placement data, industry partnerships, and the degree’s alignment with high-growth EE sectors.

Core coursework in most MSEE programs includes advanced mathematics (linear algebra, probability, and stochastic processes), electromagnetic theory, advanced circuit analysis, and signal processing fundamentals. These courses establish the theoretical foundation that underpins all EE specializations and are typically required regardless of which concentration a student selects.

Specialization coursework fills the remaining credits and varies dramatically by concentration. A power systems student takes courses in power electronics, energy conversion, and grid analysis; a signal processing student takes courses in statistical signal processing, adaptive filtering, and communication theory. The depth and variety of available electives is one of the biggest differentiators between programs — Purdue’s seven concentrations provide significantly more elective variety than a program with a single generalist track.

Thesis vs. non-thesis options: Most online MSEE programs offer both tracks. The thesis track replaces 6 credits of coursework with original research and is best suited for students considering a PhD or targeting R&D roles where demonstrated research ability matters. The non-thesis (or project-based) track replaces the thesis with additional coursework or a capstone project and is better for working professionals who want breadth of knowledge rather than research depth. Texas A&M’s MEng is exclusively non-thesis; USC and Purdue offer both options.

The lab and hardware challenge is the defining issue for online EE programs. Unlike degrees in management or social sciences, electrical engineering involves physical systems — circuits, antennas, motors, and semiconductor devices that behave in ways you can’t fully capture in a textbook. Online programs address this through several approaches:

• Simulation software: Most programs provide access to industry-standard tools (MATLAB/Simulink, SPICE, HFSS, Cadence) for virtual lab work. This is the most common approach and works well for many EE domains.
• Remote lab access: Some programs offer remote-controlled lab equipment that students operate over the internet, executing real experiments on physical hardware from their home.
• Hardware kits: A few programs ship lab kits (development boards, measurement equipment) to students’ homes for hands-on experiments.
• Optional or required residencies: Some programs include short on-campus intensives (typically a week or weekend) for lab-heavy coursework.

The adequacy of these approaches varies by specialization. Simulation-based labs work well for signal processing and control systems but are less satisfying for RF engineering or power systems work, where physical phenomena (propagation, arcing, thermal effects) are harder to replicate digitally. If your target specialization is heavily hands-on, investigate how your chosen program handles that specific lab work before enrolling.

• GPA requirements typically fall in the 3.0 range on a 4.0 scale for the bachelor’s degree, with most programs expecting an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related STEM field. Some programs accept applicants with degrees in physics or mathematics but may require prerequisite coursework in circuits, signals, and electromagnetics before full admission.
• GRE requirements are increasingly variable. Among the programs evaluated on this page, four (ASU, Texas A&M, Johns Hopkins, Colorado State) do not require the GRE, while others like Purdue and NC State offer GRE waivers for applicants with significant professional experience or strong academic records. Programs that still require the GRE typically use it as a data point rather than a hard cutoff — a strong professional resume can offset a mediocre score. For a broader view of GRE-optional programs, the no-GRE online master’s programs guide covers options across all disciplines.
• Prerequisite coursework varies by program. Most require at least an undergraduate course sequence in circuits, signals and systems, electromagnetic theory, and calculus-based physics. Some programs offer bridge or prerequisite courses for students whose undergraduate preparation is slightly outside the EE core — this is more common for applicants with computer science or physics backgrounds.
• Program duration is typically 30 credits completed over 1.5 to 3 years, depending on course load. Most working engineers take two courses per semester and finish in about two years. Some programs offer accelerated timelines by allowing summer enrollment or higher per-semester course loads, but the math-heavy nature of EE coursework makes accelerated schedules more challenging than in some other disciplines.
• ABET accreditation deserves specific attention for EE students. ABET accredits undergraduate engineering programs, not graduate programs directly, but graduate programs housed within ABET-accredited departments are generally recognized for PE licensure purposes. All ten programs on this page are in ABET-accredited departments. If you plan to pursue PE licensure — particularly relevant for power systems engineers, utility engineers, and consulting engineers — confirming your program’s relationship to an ABET-accredited undergraduate program is essential. PE licensure requirements vary by state, but most require a degree from an ABET-accredited program (or its equivalent) as a prerequisite for sitting for the PE exam.