A staff member operating an industrial computer console system inside a WSU Vancouver laboratory
WSU Vancouver

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Advance Your Expertise in Electrical Engineering

The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering at WSU Vancouver provides students with the advanced technical skills necessary to excel in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Whether you are aiming for a career in renewable energy, microfabrication, or telecommunications, our program allows you to deepen your core knowledge while developing specialized expertise in key research areas. Students benefit from a rigorous curriculum designed to broaden career prospects and prepare leaders for the engineering workforce.

As part of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, our graduate students engage in cutting-edge research and practical applications. WSU Vancouver offers both thesis and non-thesis options to accommodate diverse professional goals and research interests. From antenna design to power electronics, the program connects academic theory with industry-relevant innovation, ensuring graduates are equipped to solve complex problems in automotive, aerospace, and medical engineering sectors.

Admission and Application

Admission to the graduate program is a joint decision between the WSU Graduate School and the School of Engineering and Computer Science at WSU Vancouver.

Step 1: Apply to the School of Engineering and Computer Science

Complete the online application form to indicate your intention to apply and submit your student interest profile. This form also includes the optional application for a graduate assistantship.

 Electrical Engineering Graduate Application Form

Step 2: Apply to the WSU Graduate School

Review the requirements for domestic and international students and submit the formal application.

Contact Us

Undergraduate Programs
Email: encs.connections@wsu.edu
Phone: 360-546-9639
Graduate Programs
Email: encs.grads@wsu.edu
Phone: 360-546-9639

Program Overview

Deepen your knowledge of electrical engineering while developing specialized knowledge of a key area to broaden your career prospects.

Degrees Offered

  • Master of Science (Thesis Option)
  • Master of Science (Non-Thesis Option)
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Offered through WSU Pullman)

Research Areas

  • Applied electromagnetics
  • Antenna design and analysis
  • Sensors and microfabrication
  • Power electronics and motor drives
  • Renewable energy
  • SiC and GaN based devices
  • MEMS/NEMS sensors

Career Options

  • Electrical control engineer
  • Electrical design engineer
  • Electronics engineer
  • Automotive or aerospace engineer
  • Medical engineer
  • Telecommunications engineer

Thesis Degree Requirements

The thesis track focuses on original research and academic depth. Students must present research results to the faculty for committee approval.

  • Total Credits: 30 minimum
  • Graded Credits: 21 minimum
    • 15 ECE 500-level credits minimum
    • ECE 501 or 525 required (3 credits)
    • 6 credits of additional courses approved by an advisor
  • Thesis Credits: 4 ECE 700 credits minimum

The Graduate School requires a minimum of 30 total credit hours for an M.S. degree. The School of Engineering and Computer Science graded course requirements total 21 credits. Combined with the minimum four credits of ECE 700, the program reaches 25 credits. The remaining five credits may consist of additional ECE 700 thesis credits or 500-level ECE classes.

Academic Standing: Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA at all times. A 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA among courses listed on the program of study are required to graduate.

Non-Thesis Degree Requirements

The non-thesis track offers a coursework-heavy path for professionals seeking broad technical mastery.

  • Total Credits: 31 minimum
  • Graded Credits: 27 minimum
    • 12 ECE (Vancouver) credits minimum
    • 6 E_E (Pullman) or CS&ME (Vancouver) credits maximum
    • 9 non-graduate (400-level) credits maximum
    • 6 transferred or Pullman credits maximum
    • 3 Directed Study credits (ECE 595) maximum
  • Exam Credits: 4 ECE 702 credits minimum

Any undergraduate coursework assigned to make up for deficiencies at the time of admission may not be used toward your degree.

Academic Standing: Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA at all times. A 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA among courses listed on the program of study are required to graduate.

Graduate school deadlines and FAQs

Transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, or examination results, along with degree certificates from all higher education institutions attended outside the United States or Canada. When sending official transcripts from schools located in non-English-speaking countries, have each institution submit both the English translation plus an original language record.

letters of recommendation, along with a Likert rating scale, will be requested on-line from your references.

a Likert rating scale will be requested on-line from your references; letters of recommendation are not required.

Fall semester — Jan. 10; Spring semester — July 1. International applications and students applying for support in the form of Assistantships are strongly recommended to apply by Jan. 10, since assistantships are typically available for fall enrollment only. Graduate applications will still be accepted and considered after Jan. 10 for admissions into the ENCS graduate program, however, the availability of support in the form of Assistantships may be limited.

The application processing fee cannot be waived or deferred for any reason. The School of Engineering and Computer Science at Vancouver does not require Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) for admission to any master’s degree program. The minimum acceptable TOEFL scores for the School of ENCS are: 540 (PBT) and 75 (iBT). It is recommended you send paper copies while waiting for official scores. Questions regarding the Certificate of Financial Responsibility or I-20 should be directed to the Graduate School at 509-335-1446.

The minimum acceptable English proficiency scores are as follows: IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 105, TOEFL (PBT): 540, TOEFL (iBT): 75, TOEFL Essentials: 8. International applicants from specific countries (Australia, UK, Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Canada, Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Jamaica, New Zealand, Nigeria, Republic of Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago) whose first language is English are exempt.