ECE 4+1 BS/MS Degree Requirements 

Purdue ECE undergraduates who qualify may earn an MSECE degree in two academic semesters (Fall and Spring) after their BS graduation. Students accepted into this program may double-count up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level courses toward both BS and MSECE degree requirements. Eligible courses, taken when a student is an undergraduate and after the student has been admitted to the 4+1 program, include 50000-level ECE courses.

Curriculum Requirements

This program is designed for students to satisfy MSECE degree requirements in two semesters, assuming the student follows the MSECE course-only curriculum (students admitted before Fall 2025) or the MSECE Professional Master's Program curriculum (students admitted Fall 2025 and later).

Approval to double count up to 12 credit hours, however, applies to all MS tracks, so students may swtich to the thesis track if they identify a faculty member willing to supervise their research. Students choosing to pursue the thesis track for the MSECE should note that time to completion of the MSECE may take longer than one academic year because thesis research timelines.  

Detailed curriculum requirements:

  • Students admitted before Fall 2025: MSECE course-only 
    • Total credit hours: 30, including at least 15 credit hours of graduate-level ECE credits
    • Required ECE core courses: 2 (6 credit hours)
      • One core course from the student’s primary area and a second that adds breadth of ECE knowledge.
    • Required math courses: 2 (6 credit hours)
    • Required graduate seminar: All 4+1 students must complete ECE 69400: Graduate Seminar.
      • This is a zero-credit-hour course that does not go on your plan of study.
      • We recommend that you take course this during your first or second semester.
    • Allowed graduate-level credit hours from outside ECE (ME, IE, CS, STATS, etc.): 9
    • Allowed ECE 69600 (Advanced EE Projects) or ECE 69700 (Directed Reading EE) credit hours: 3
  • Students admitted Fall 2025 and later: MSECE Professional Master's Program: Curriculum requirements

Indianapolis location degree requirements: Purdue Indianapolis students admitted to the original 5-year BS/MS will follow the curriculum requirements for the Indianapolis Professional Master’s program. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I qualify for the 4+1 BS/MS program?

Purdue ECE undergraduates with a 3.5 GPA after semester 4 (sophomore year) may apply for the 4+1 BS/MS program. Provisional acceptance is based on the student maintaining at least a 3.4 GPA in their undergraduate courses at the time of graduation and a grade of B or higher on the graduate level courses taken as an undergraduate. Grades below B on graduate-level courses may not be double counted.

How do I apply tot he 4+1 BS/MS program?

See these application instructions. 

What GPA do I need to earn the MSECE?

You must have an MSECE plan-of-study GPA of 3.0 to successfully complete the MSECE. Graduate-level transfer courses are not included in your GPA calculation.