Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Looking into an online master’s degree in Electrical Engineering opens up a wide range of potential specializations and career possibilities. Most graduate programs in Electrical Engineering are designed for students with an undergraduate background in a similar field and are designed to help these students hone their undergraduate skills to take on more leadership-oriented roles.

Common Specializations for an Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Students interested in a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering often have a specific focus or area of work they’re planning on pursuing. When considering a program like this, you will want to research the differences between these emphases to find the one that best aligns with your personal and career goals. Below are a few common emphases for online master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering.

Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering Admission Requirements

Applying to a graduate program can be a process that requires you to meet a few baseline requirements first. Below are a few common application requirements for online master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering

• Pre-Admission Testing: Some graduate-level programs require students to complete one or more tests before they can be admitted to the program. The most common test that Electrical Engineering students may come across is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
• Letters of Recommendation: When applying, you may be asked to provide letters of recommendation from one or more individuals who can speak to your readiness to pursue a graduate program in this field. Most often, students will be asked to provide letters coming from former professors or employers in a related field of work.
• Corresponding Bachelor’s Degree: Although this is not always the case, many students will find that the program they are interested in is requiring them to hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Students who do not meet this requirement can usually speak with a pre-graduate-study advisor to discuss whether there is an alternative route to being able to apply.

Curriculum for an Online Master of Electrical Engineering Program

• Random Signal Analysis: A course in this subject area will outline how to account for random signals and other phenomena in electrical readings. Topics will often include how to predict random signals, how to understand random processes, and how to calculate the maximum likelihood of random signal interference.
• Electrical Circuit Theory: Students in these courses will expand the fundamental understanding of electronic circuits they likely developed in their undergraduate careers. Topics covered will include AC analysis, frequency domain analysis, and network theorems.
• Renewable Energy Systems: Courses in renewable energy seek to provide students with a close understanding of electrical energy as a renewable resource, often utilized for transportation and domestic purposes.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering: Admission requirements at Online Master of Civil Engineering programs typically require completion of a baccalaureate in any major with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Some require a baccalaureate specifically in a civil engineering ABET-accredited institution.
• GRE scores: Depending on the program and institution, students are required to take the GRE.  Some programs waive the requirement, using other variables to evaluate applicants such as professional experience.
• Prerequisites: Students who have not completed an undergraduate engineering degree may have to complete the prerequisites of specialty leveling courses after being admitted to the program. They may include Analytic Geometry and Calculus, Fluid Mechanics, Mechanics of Materials, Multidimensional Calculus, and Statistics.
• Recommendation letters: Online MS civil engineering programs may require from one to two letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or mentors. They should include research aptitude, job performance, professional ethics, and collegiality.
• English language proficiency: University applicants whose native language is not English have to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum TOEFL scores vary by institution or engineering department. Average scores range from 90-100.

Curriculum for an Online Master of Electrical Engineering Program

• Random Signal Analysis: A course in this subject area will outline how to account for random signals and other phenomena in electrical readings. Topics will often include how to predict random signals, how to understand random processes, and how to calculate the maximum likelihood of random signal interference.
• Electrical Circuit Theory: Students in these courses will expand the fundamental understanding of electronic circuits they likely developed in their undergraduate careers. Topics covered will include AC analysis, frequency domain analysis, and network theorems.
• Renewable Energy Systems: Courses in renewable energy seek to provide students with a close understanding of electrical energy as a renewable resource, often utilized for transportation and domestic purposes.
• Power Electronics: Power Electronics is a course in which students learn about solid-state electronics to control and convert electric power. Students go through an extensive learning experience in various conversions such as AC to DC, DC to AC, etc. After this course, students will be ready for the application of power electronics in batteries, motor drives, inverters, etc.
• Control and Communications: In this course, students learn about digital communications, including wireless networks. This course will prepare students to work in the areas of high-speed data communications, wireless channels, etc.

Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering: No GRE Requirement

Many online master’s degree programs in electrical engineering do not require applicant’s scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Explore the following schools to learn more about online master’s degrees in electrical engineering that don’t require the GRE:

Johns Hopkins University

Iowa State University

Arizona State University

The Fastest Electrical Engineering Degrees

For those interested in accelerated electrical engineering master’s programs, the below schools can help students finish their graduate degree quickly, while still earning a quality education.

Purdue University

Michigan Technological University

University of Cincinnati

Techniques for Financing a Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Scholarships for students in Electrical Engineering

• Brown and Caldwell Scholarships for Women: Brown and Caldwell value equality in the workplace and support organizations like the Society of Women Engineers. They administer a scholarship for female students that are pursuing a degree in environmental professions such as Electrical engineering and other subjects. Eligibility for this scholarship includes- Students pursuing a graduate program at an accredited university, a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and women that demonstrate leadership within the community. Award Amount: $5,000 Deadline: Varies
• PixelPlex Bi-Annual STEM Scholarship: PixelPlex provides custom software development services and solutions to businesses. They also encourage students to get into STEM education and administer a Bi-Annual scholarship program. The scholarship was established to support and inspire students to pursue further education in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, which includes electrical engineering. Award Amount: $5,000 Deadline: Varies
• Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST): AIST is a non-profit organization with more than 18,500 members to advance the technical development, production, processing, and application of Iron and Steel. AIST also administers various scholarships to help encourage students to pursue careers within the iron and steel-related industries that include electrical engineering. There are many scholarship and intern opportunities for students pursuing these degrees. You can visit this site for more details. Award Amount: Varies based on the scholarship Deadline: Varies based on the scholarship
• The Charles LeGeyt Fortescue Scholarship: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is the world’s largest technical professional organizations dedicate to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. IEEE has been administering the Charles LeGeyt Fortescue Scholarship since 1939 in the memory of Charles LeGeyt, who was an electrical engineer. The scholarship is awarded to students that are pursuing a graduate degree in electrical engineering at a recognized school. Award Amount: $24,000 Deadline: May 4

• American Association of Engineering Societies: The AAES allows engineers from various industries and areas of focus to network with one another and cultivate an environment of industry learning and development.
• Engineering.com: This online resource offers webinars on engineering best-practices, white papers, eBooks, a job board, and industry news. There are also trade-specific tools and resources, so there are quality, industry-specific information for all engineering professionals.
• National Society of Professional Engineers: NSPE provides a comprehensive range of resources for engineering students, including free courses, career advice, job boards, and licensing procedures. The NSPE also hosts industry-specific conferences and puts on National Engineering Week.
• Society of Women Engineers: SWE’s goal is to give women in engineering a place to meet like-minded professionals in their field and give them a platform so they have a voice in the industry. SWE hosts numerous networking events to promote professional networking and advancement amongst women engineers.