Electrical and Computer Engineering: Professional MS
Be prepared for a meaningful career with
an engineering master’s
You can expand your technical knowledge, sharpen your skills and prepare yourself for a fulfilling career with an engineering master’s from UW–Madison. A master of science degree in electrical and computer engineering can be earned with a professional option or with a named option in machine learning and signal processing. In either program, you’ll increase your understanding of the field and be in a position to start your career with knowledge and skills that set you apart. Plus, engineers with master’s degrees earn an average of 22% more than engineers with bachelor’s degrees.¹
Sharpen your professional skills and prepare for your career with a flexible course based curriculum. You and your advisor will choose classes that align with your interests and career goals. Areas of interest include:
- Embedded systems
- Networking and security
- Computer-aided design
- Computer architecture
- Electric machines and drive
- Power electronics
- Power systems
- Semiconductor device and fabrication technology
- Photonics technology
¹ UW–Madison Academic Planning and Institutional Research Dataviz (in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau and the Institute for Research on Innovation and Science.) Percent increase identified by comparing median salaries of engineering bachelor’s and master’s graduates one year after college.
Program overview: At a glance
Degree conferred
Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering
Format
Accelerated
On campus
Timeline
16 months
Tuition
Resident and non-resident $1,200 per credit
Additional fees may apply
Application deadline
December 15
(Applications reviewed up to March 15
if program space is available)
Start
Fall
Electrical and Computer Engineering Professional Master’s
Deepen your knowledge and focus your path to gain advanced entry into the engineering industry with an Electrical and Computer Engineering accelerated master’s degree. There are three areas of emphasis from which to choose.
Computer Engineering tracks
— Embedded Systems: Obtain practical insight into the field of embedded systems and learn to develop low-level programs, tool chains and run-time systems and design and simulate low-power hardware for embedded processors.
— Networking and Security: This track will prepare you to implement protocols and applications for mobile and wireless networking, as well as assess security threats and apply defenses and best practices for secure hardware and software.
— Computer-Aided Design: Learn to use design tools and develop algorithms and methodologies for simulating, synthesizing and verifying digital electronic systems.
— Computer Architecture: Become proficient in writing microprograms, developing parallel applications and designing and simulating hardware components for multiprocessors, caches and memory systems.
Solid state/Photonics tracks
— Semiconductor Device and Fabrication Technology: This track offers practical insight into the field of electronic device operation and fabrication. You will learn the basic principles of electronic devices, solid state physics, and learn industry-relevant simulation technologies such as TCAD and Layout. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to experience (hands-on in a cleanroom) how semiconductor devices are fabricated.
— Photonics Technology: Gain practical insight into the field of photonics. You will learn the basic principles of optoelectronic/ photonics devices such as LEDs and LASERs. You will also get hands-on experience with industry relevant practical simulation methodologies for photonics applications.
Energy and Power Systems tracks
— Electric Machines and Drives: Acquire knowledge that prepares you for career opportunities in the design and control of electric machines for traction, drone, and other propulsion systems as well as electric generators for wind, highspeed turbines, and other renewable energy systems.
— Power Electronics: Develop your skills in the design and control of power electronics hardware for propulsion, renewable energy and charging systems.
— Power Systems: Explore the construct of the electric utility as well as power flow control and stability through a variety of modeling and simulation exercises and projects including emerging grid technologies such as microgrids to large-scale power systems dominated by renewable energy sources and power electronics.
A program built for you
The most desirable engineering jobs—the ones that offer challenges, interesting work and the greatest financial rewards— often require a master’s degree. The accelerated engineering master’s program is a popular choice for engineers who want to earn their master’s by adding as little as a single year of study at UW–Madison. There’s no thesis required: this master’s program is for engineers whose goal is to put their knowledge to use in their field rather than go into research or academia.
Attending school for an additional year to obtain a master’s has its advantages:
- You’re used to studying a challenging discipline
- You’ll be building on material you recently learned
- You may have fewer distractions, such as work or family, than if you wait
- The additional expense is offset by greater income potential in your first job
Contribute to your field from the start
UW–Madison’s College of Engineering graduate school has a stellar reputation: U.S. News & World Report includes it among the top-ranked programs in the nation.² It’s a leading research institution so you’ll be on top of the latest developments and trends in your field while you learn from top-notch faculty.
² U.S. News & World Report 2023 ranking of “Best Engineering Graduate Schools”
Enjoy BIG 10 sports, scenic lakes, culture and more
If you’re not already a Badger, you’re in for a great experience when you go red. UW–Madison athletics are legendary. In fact, Best College Reviews ranked Madison as the #3 best college town in the country.* The campus is always buzzing with the activity you’d expect from a Big-10 school. Enjoy the outdoors all year round, or indulge your taste for the arts in galleries, theaters and music venues. Partake in a thriving food and craft beer scene as well. Madison is a vibrant city with much to offer.
*Best College Reviews, October 2022
What’s different about the accelerated program?
– Takes 1–11/2 instead of 2–3 years
– Industry-focused rather than research-focused
– Paid assistantships not available
– Thesis not required
What do the programs have in common?
– All classes on campus
– 30 graduate credits earned
– Master of science degree conferred
– Taught by renowned faculty
– Learn from research being conducted on campus
We’re here to help you succeed
For information and insight on accelerated engineering master’s programs contact
our enrollment coaches at [email protected].
