MS

Electrical Engineering Master's Degree

Online Program Overview

Degree Level
Master's Degree
Total Credits
30
Delivery
Fully Online
Contact Us
Minimum GPA
3.0
Qualifying Exam
GRE Required

Contemporary electrical engineering is a broad discipline that encompasses a wide range of activities. A common theme is the use of electricity and electromagnetism for the generation, transmission, processing, storage, conversion, and control of information and energy. An equally important aspect is the human interface and the role of individuals as the sources and recipients of information. The rates at which information is transmitted today range from megabits per second to gigabits per second and, in some cases, as high as terabits per second. The range of frequencies over which these processes are studied extends from direct current (i.e., zero frequency), to microwave and optical frequencies.

The need for increasingly faster and more sophisticated methods of handling information poses a major challenge to the electrical engineer. New materials, devices, circuits, systems, and networks are needed to build the advanced communications and information-handling systems of the future. Previous innovations in electrical engineering have had a dramatic impact on the way in which we work and live: the transistor, integrated circuits, computers, radio and television, satellite transmission systems, lasers, fiber optic transmission systems, and medical electronics.

Optional concentrations within the MS program allow students to focus on coursework in the following areas: Telecommunications Engineering, Wireless and Mobile Communications, Lightwave (Photonics) Engineering, Integrated Circuits and Systems, Microelectronic Devices, and Multimedia Networking.

NEW! A concentration option in Systems Biology is now available.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the quick response, attention, and patience the professor and TA have given me.
Henry Lin, Lucent

Admissions Requirements

Degree required for admission: Students admitted to the program must possess an undergraduate degree in engineering, science, mathematics, computer science or other related field (subject to the approval of the Electrical Engineering Program) from an accredited academic institution. Applicants should have a strong undergraduate record to be competitive for admission. 

GPA required: Minimum of 3.0 

GRE requirements: General test required 

Other application requirements: 3 recommendation letters, transcripts, resume, and a personal-professional statement are required.  If you have not earned a degree from an undergraduate or graduate institution in which the instructional language was English, you may be required to take the TOEFL/IELTS. All application requirements in the Graduate Application must be completed as specified in the application. 

Students must complete all core courses (described below) and selected electives (described below) for a total of 30 graduate points of academic work via CVN with a GPA of 2.5 or better. All degree requirements must be completed within 5 years of the first course credited toward the degree. This includes courses in the non-degree program. 

Description

Course Requirements:

  • Master of Science in Electrical Engineering Degree Requirements
  • A minimum of 15 points of credit must be at the 6000 level or higher.
  • At least 15 points must be courses in Electrical Engineering, defined as those with an ELEN designator or joint courses that include Electrical Engineering (e.g., with joint designators such as EECS, CSEE, EEME, ECBM, EEBM, & BMEE).
  • Courses to be credited toward the M.S. degree can be taken only upon prior approval of the program advisor.
  • Certain 4000-level courses will not be credited toward the M.S. degree, and no more than 6 points of research may be taken for credit.

Course List

Elective courses:

Up to 3 points of credit for approved graduate courses outside of engineering and science may be allowed pending your academic advisor's approval.

CONCENTRATION OPTIONS FOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING MASTER'S CANDIDATES

Students in the M.S. in E.E. program can choose to focus on a particular field below or design their own M.S. program in consultation with an advisor. All students must meet the requirements listed in the EE Master of Science Program Checklist, which can be found on the MS EE website: https://www.ee.columbia.edu/ms-program-ee.

CVN students selecting an optional concentration are advised to work closely with an advisor in order to choose a selection of courses that meets their needs.

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering Elective Specializations

Tuition & Fees

2023–2024 Tuition & Fees

Please note that all tuition and fees are in U.S. dollars and are estimated. Tuition and most fees are prescribed by statute and are subject to change at the discretion of the Trustees.

CVN Credit Tuition: $2,584.00 per point (Credit Hour)
CVN Fee: $395 non-refundable fee per course
Transcript Fee: $105 non-refundable one-time fee
Tuition Deposit: $1,000 (More information on our Resources page)

Estimated cost of one nondegree course: $8,252.00
Estimated total cost of certification (four courses): $32,693.00

Estimated total cost of MS (ten courses): $81,575.00
*Estimated total cost of DES (ten courses plus a minimum of 12 research credits): $112,583.00

Graduate Admission Application Fee: $85 non-refundable one-time fee 
Certification Program Application Fee: $85 non-refundable one-time fee 

Late Registration Fee: $100 non-refundable fee

CVN Withdrawal Fee: $75, plus prorated tuition and all non-refundable fees
For example: A three-credit course would be $7,752 + transcript fee $105 (one-time) + CVN fee $395 = $8,252

*Assumes DES student enrolls in two six-credit research courses.

For Drop/Withdrawal fees and dates, refer to the Academic Calendar for the current term.

Please note: CVN no longer offers courses for audit.

Payment should be mailed to:

Attn: Shewanna House
Accounting & Business Management
Senior Student Services Rep
Payments & Deposits
210 Kent Hall, Mail Code 9205
1140 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027

Before you mail your check or money order, please take careful note of the following requirements to ensure the timely processing of your payment: https://sfs.columbia.edu/content/pay-mail.

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