4+1 BS/MSECE Program

Overview

Our 4+1 BS/MS is an exclusive program for current Purdue ECE undergraduates that allows students to earn both a BS and MSECE in as few as five years. This program leverages the outstanding characteristics of the Purdue ECE undergraduate experience to accelerate completion of a Master's degree.

Employers recognize the value of the MSECE, and students who complete the 4+1 BS/MS will have broadened career and professional program options (MD or JD) or can continue their education in ECE to earn a PhD.

Program Features

  • Pursue this program at either our Indianapolis or West Lafayette location.
  • Gain early admission to the MSECE program, as early as your junior year.
    • Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis.
  • Complete the BS in four years and the MS in another two academic semesters.
    • As an undergraduate, count up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level coursework toward both your ECE BS and MS degrees.
    • As a graduate student, complete another 18 credit hours to earn the MSECE (30 credits total).
  • Follow the MSECE professional master's program curriculum.
  • Earn a graduate concentration as you earn the MSECE to fine-tune your credential.

Requirements and Procedures

  • Apply after your fourth undergraduate semester; 3.45 GPA required.
  • After you are admitted to the 4+1 BS/MS program, complete up to 12 credits of graduate-level coursework during your junior and senior years; earn at least a 3.0 GPA in these courses.
  • Graduate with your BS with a GPA of at least 3.40 to continue to the MSECE.

Application Process

  • Please visit this page for application instructions.

Tuition and Fees

Students will pay undergraduate engineering tuition until they receive their BSEE or BSCompE. Once students become graduate students, they will pay graduate engineering rates. Check the most up-to-date fees here.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I complete the Graduate School application?

  • You must complete the application before you take any graduate level courses you wish to dual count toward the BS and MS degree, so you can submit the application as soon as you complete your sophomore year. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis.

Why do I need to apply so early?

  • The Purdue Graduate School will only dual count graduate-level courses you take as an undergraduate while you are a dual BS/MS status. Graduate-level ECE courses taken before you are admitted to the 4+1 BS/MS program cannot be dual counted.

Can I apply for a graduate assistant position while in this program?

  • Once you have completed your BS, you are eligible to hold a graduate assistant position. See this webpage for more information: Finding TA and RA positions

When should I submit my MS plan of study?

  • You should submit your MS plan of study through myPurdue at the beginning of the first semester as a MS student.

Is there any penalty if I am admitted to the 4 + 1 program but decide not to complete the MS at Purdue?

  • No, there is no penalty. The graduate-level coursework you complete as an undergraduate will still count toward your BS. However, you would not be able to use these graduate courses toward a graduate degree at another university.

Contact

If you are an undergraduate student interested in this program, please contact your primary ECE advisor.

To learn more about the MSECE, contact Lynn Hegewald, ECE Master’s Program Manager.