Electrical and Computer Engineering: Machine Learning and Signal Processing MS

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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 the electrical and computer engineering will increase your understanding of the field so you can start your career with specialized knowledge that sets you apart. Plus, engineers with master’s degrees earn an average of 22% more than engineers with bachelor’s degrees.¹

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.

If you have a special interest in quantitative thinking, practical problem solving and computer programming, the master’s in machine learning and signal processing is a way for you to gain an advantage as you start your career. The program draws from traditional and modern methods of data science and is designed for real-world applications.

Topics to be covered include:

  • Optimization
  • Digital image processing
  • Advanced machine learning
  • Decision theory

The coursework focuses on mathematical foundations of data science and how they relate to practical problems facing engineers today. A summer practicum replaces the thesis that a traditional master’s requires

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Degree conferred

Master of Science Electrical and Computer Engineering: Machine Learning and Signal Processing

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Format

Accelerated
On campus

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Timeline

16 months

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Tuition

Resident and non-resident $1,200 per credit

Additional fees may apply


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Application deadline

December 15
(Applications reviewed up to March 15
if program space is available)

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Start

Fall


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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 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 12 – 16 months 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