Admission Process

The general requirements for admission to the graduate program are:

1) satisfactory completion of a baccalaureate degree at a college or university of recognized standing, and 2) an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).

For international applicants that are non-native English speakers, there is an additional requirement of documented English language proficiency as stated below. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the EEE degree program and the diversity of curricular topics and the associated research conducted by the faculty, no specific undergraduate preparation is stipulated. However, basic deficiencies in math or science may be grounds for denial of admission, or grounds for required completion of remedial coursework during the first year of study. In such cases, the additional coursework requirements may be stipulated in the admissions letter, but ultimately will be stipulated by the student’s advisory committee.

Students are referred to the EEE webpage where all information regarding requirements for admission to the EEE graduate program is posted. It is important that each applicant realize that the requirements for admission stated above are the minimum requirements, and failure to satisfy the minimum requirements may lead to automatic denial of admission. Further, because of capacity limits, fulfilling these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Admission is a competitive process based on (i) the student’s previous record, as documented in the application materials, and (ii) interests, as they relate to programmatic research, teaching, and outreach interests.

Admission Timeline:

Two weeks before start of 7th semester	Applications for combined degree program, including completed form GS-27
September 15	Applications for Spring Admission
December 15	Applications for Fall admission and potential fellowship  consideration
May 15	Applications for Fall admission, Professional MS only

Required documents for admission:

Required documents for admission may be found here and below: https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/prospective/gradrequirements/westlafayette/eee.html

1. An online application submitted through the Graduate School at: www.purdue.edu/gradschool
2. Official copies of all transcripts from all prior post-secondary enrollments:https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/admissions/how-to-apply/apply-transcripts.html
3. Academic Statement of Purpose https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/admissions/how-to-apply/apply-statement.html
4. Personal History Statement: https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/admissions/how-to-apply/personal-history.html
5. Current resume
6. Three recommendation letters: https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/admissions/how-to-apply/apply-recommendation.html
7. English proficiency test scores (if applicable)

English Proficiency

Domestic and Native English-Speaking Applicants: No specific admission requirement.

All non-Native English-Speaking International Applicants: Either a TOEFL, IELTS Test of English, or Duolingo English Test is required. If a degree was obtained in an English-speaking country 36 months prior to the time of recommendation for admission, English Proficiency Requirements can be waived.

More details about English Proficiency Requirements can be found at: https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/admissions/how-to-apply/apply-toefl.html

For any non-native English-speaking international student that wishes to be hired as a teaching assistant with sole classroom teaching responsibility, must have a score of 50 or higher on Purdue’s Oral English Proficiency Test (administered by OEPT), or successfully completing ENGL 62000, is required.

Admission to the Combined BS + MSEEE Degree Program

Combined BS + MSEEE degree Application Procedure:

In semester 6, students in the above listed programs interested in the MSEEE Combined Degree need to formally apply for graduate admissions to the MSEEE program. Information on the application procedure can be found at: https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/admissions/how-to-apply/index.html and located on this same webpage is an “Apply Now” link for initiating the necessary online application. The application process is identical to the regular graduate application process, except for three additional steps:

1. The student must submit as part of the application the “Purdue University Graduate School Combined-Degree Program Request” form. This is Form GS-27, available from the Graduate School online at: https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/faculty/forms.html. This form must be approved (by signature) by the Heads of the participating Baccalaureate and Master’s degree (EEE) programs, before submitting (i.e., uploading) as part of the application. If the student is a BSEEE student, the Head of EEE will sign and date on both approval lines.
2. The Academic Statement of Purpose essay should state clearly that the student is applying to the MSEEE Combined Degree program and provide the reason(s) for seeking graduate study under this Program, and any relationship to the applicant’s career goals.
3. In requesting Letters of Recommendation from references, it is very important that the student inform the references that the application is for admission to the MSEEE Combined Degree Program. Although all letters are solicited during the online application process (by the student providing emails of all references), the applicant is encouraged to provide all references with a copy of this information sheet, so that they are made aware of the program and process.

Before the beginning of semester 7, the EEE Graduate Program will decide to accept or not accept the student into the Combined Degree Program by acting on the student’s Graduate Application. The EEE graduate chair will serve as the default graduate advisor for all combined degree students. The 12 credits which will be dual counted by the BS and MS plans of study must be identified and agreed upon by the student along with the respective graduate and undergraduate advisors no later than the beginning of semester 7. The student’s complete record will be reviewed by the EEE Graduate Program at the end of semesters 7 and 8. It is required that the undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 is maintained. If all conditions are not maintained, the student will not be permitted to remain in the combined degree program.

Admission to the MSEEE Program

Undergraduate students generally apply for admission to the MSEEE program during their 7th semester of undergraduate study. Information on the application procedure can be found at: https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/index.html and located on this same webpage is an “Apply Now” link for initiating the necessary online application. All minimum requirements stated above for application apply.

Admission to the Ph.D. Program

Admission to the PhD program can occur several ways:

1. Applicants who have earned a M.S. degree from another institution can be admitted to the PhD program directly through the application process outlined above for MSEEE applicants.
2. In some cases, exceptional applicants who have earned a B.S. degree from another institution can be admitted to the Ph.D. program directly, but generally only if this is their stated educational objective, and/or if they are funded through a Ph.D. fellowship, either internal to Purdue (e.g., Ross, Andrews, Purdue Doctoral) or external to Purdue (e.g., NSF, EPA, DOE, DOD, CSC, Fulbright). If this is the case, these students may still earn a non-thesis M.S. degree once they have completed the necessary coursework for the master’s degree (i.e., 30 credits of the required 48 credits necessary for the Ph.D. degree).
3. Students who complete a non-thesis or thesis M.S. degree from the Purdue Graduate School can petition to continue as a PhD student (including Combined Degree students). In this case, the student and major professor must notify the EEE Graduate Program Office at least three weeks before the end of the semester in which the M.S. degree is awarded. A new application to the Graduate School is not needed.