MSECE Online

A course-based, entirely online MSECE program with the same courses, same faculty, and same degree as the on-campus programs.

Overview

Gain a credential that commands attention with the Purdue University Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The fully online Master’s Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering equips you with the depth and breadth of knowledge and relevant skills needed to succeed in today’s engineering world while offering you the prestige, affordability, flexibility you want in a Master’s degree.

Program Highlights

  • Gain deep knowledge in your chosen area of interest while building “breadth at the edges” by taking one-credit courses from a rich suite of options.
  • Our world-class faculty will help you develop innovative thinking approaches to address both practical complex problems.
  • Throughout your program, a dedicated faculty advisor and a team of professionals will help you plan your degree and support your envisioned career path.
  • Earn our graduate concentration in Microelectronics and Advanced Semiconductors as you earn the MSECE.

ECE offers fellowships for online MSECE

All admitted students are evaluated for the fellowship; no additional application is needed. To date, more than $130,000 has been awarded to 14 students.

#1 online electrical engineering graduate program


U.S. News & World Report, 2023

Get your MSECE for $22,500


Financial aid is available

Fully online


Learn on your own schedule

Complete your degree in as little as 1 year


As a full-time student

Curriculum

The MSECE requires 30 hours of coursework:

  • A minimum of 15 credit hours of ECE coursework, including 2 ECE core courses (6 credit hours)
  • 6 credit hours of graduate math coursework (2 courses)
  • Up to 9 credit hours can be graduate-level coursework from outside of ECE, such as ME, IE, CS, STATS, etc.

Degree Requirements

Sample Plans of Study

ECE Online Courses

Other Engr Online Courses

Students will have the flexibility to focus on a specific area of interest by selecting one of the following areas:

  • Automatic Control
  • Communications, Networking, Signal & Image Processing
  • Computer Engineering
  • Fields and Optics
  • Microelectronics and Nanotechnology
  • Schweitzer Power and Energy Systems
  • VLSI and Circuit Design

    • We also offer coursework in emerging areas, including quantum computing, data mining, IoT, and big data.

    student working in lab

    Admissions

    Prerequisite Coursework

    Math Background:

    • Three semesters of calculus and one semester each of differential equations and linear algebra

    Undergraduate Degree:

    • BS or equivalent, preferred in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematics, or Applied Mathematics

    Test Scores:

    • GRE scores are not required, although you may submit them.

    Application requirements:

    Application Deadlines

    For Spring Start:

    Priority Deadline: November 15

    Final Deadline: December 15

    For Fall Start:

    July 15

    Request Info

    Apply Now

    Not ready for a full MS program?

    Get started with a Purdue MicroMasters Program; these credits can be applied toward the MSECE.

    MSEE building arched window

    Tuition

    Tuition is $750 per credit hour; the program total is $22,500.

    Financial Aid

    Domestic students and permanent residents may qualify for the following types of financial aid:

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is there a difference between this online MSECE and the on-campus MSECE?

    • No, both programs lead to the MSECE. The only difference is the online delivery method. The courses, assessments, and faculty – and rigor – are the same.

    Why should I choose Purdue for my MS?

    • Purdue ECE was established in 1888 and has a long history of excellence. It is currently the largest school at Purdue, with more than 1500 undergraduate student, 750 graduate students, 100 faculty members, and 23,000 alumni. Additionally, Purdue’s online electrical engineering graduate programs are ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report.

    Is this program suitable for people who work full time?

    • Yes. Our typical student works full time. Most courses are delivered asynchronously, which means to you can complete your coursework when it is convenient for you. Exams, however, are typically scheduled for a specific window of time.

    How are the online courses delivered?

    • Courses are delivered via Brightspace, Purdue’s learning management system.

    Is the TOEFL or IELTS required for international students?

    • Yes, unless you have received a degree within the last 36 months from a school where English is the primary language of instruction in a country where English is the native language.

    Can international students enroll in this program?

    • Yes. Neither U.S. residency nor a visa are required.

    Meet Roger Alford, MSECE 2020

    My name is Roger Alford. I am a Principal Staff Scientist at Terumo Cardiovascular Group in Ann Arbor, MI. I graduated with my MSECE from Purdue in December 2020.

    When I was considering an electrical engineering master’s degree, I knew I wanted an online program that would work around my full-time job and family obligations. I evaluated every online program available at the time, and found Purdue to have one of the best. It was well established, well organized, had many excellent course offerings, and had a good selection of concentrations to choose from. These features, combined with Purdue’s deeply rooted reputation for engineering excellence, made it the clear choice for me.

    Online education has provided the flexibility I need to maintain my job and family obligations, while allowing me to participate in a rigorous degree program. It has been particularly beneficial to have all the lectures available on video, allowing me to go over explanations more than once when needed, and to review materials for homework and exams. Email, discussion boards, and other technologies have allowed me to access faculty support as needed, as well as interact with other students.

    In my job I work with a team of engineers to develop life-sustaining medical devices. A key goal in pursuing my MSECE was to become a better engineer, in order to help us make the best, safest and most reliable medical devices possible. The benefits of Purdue’s MSECE program in my job were apparent from the very first courses, and every course has helped me become a better engineer!

    online master's student roger alford