Graduate Programs

Our Graduate Program

Electrical Engineering M.S.E.E.

Our program provides students the opportunity to advance their knowledge and conduct research on the cutting edge of electrical engineering and related fields.

We include both research and coursework components in our masters program. To learn more about the research areas of our faculty, check out their individual biographies via the Faculty & Staff Directory. The program offers graduate level (4000 or above) courses in order for students to master advanced knowledge in their area of research interests and related fields.

There are two degree options, Plan A (thesis option) and Plan B (project option).

Plan A: Thesis Based

This includes the completion of a Master's thesis based upon original research carried out under the direction of a faculty member.

Plan B: Project Based

Involves the completion of a project that may consist of participation in ongoing faculty research and preparation of a report on that work. 

After graduation, our students have been well placed in industrial companies or in PhD programs at other universities nationwide. The training that students receive from our program on both engineering insights and problem-solving capability enhances their future career success.

Integrated Undergraduate Graduate Program - MS IDP 

The Integrated Degree Program (IDP) program in Electrical Engineering provides a unique opportunity for top BSEE students to seamlessly integrate their BS and MS degrees. Students typically apply to the program in their junior/senior year and develop an integrated plan of study to complete a BSEE degree directly followed by an MSEE degree with options of Plan A or Plan B. Undergraduate students who are admitted into the IDP program can apply up to 9 credits of approved graduate level coursework to both their undergraduate (BSEE) and graduate (MSEE) degrees. Students must be admitted to the IDP program prior to taking these courses in order to count toward graduate credits. The application deadline of IDP is the same as that of the MSEE program.

IDP application requirements:

  • At least two of three recommendation letters should be from Electrical Engineering faculty members
  • Minimum GPA of 3.30
  • Submit an IDP request with your online application (email the Director of Graduate Studies)

 

Degree Requirements

 

The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) degree requires 31 semester credits.The program offers two degree plans, plan A and plan B. For both thesis research and project research, a student is expected to identify a research advisor during the first two semesters in the program. All students are required to take the EE8001 (1 credit).

Plan A: Thesis Option

Students must complete a minimum of 31 semester credits including 10 thesis credits and 21 coursework credits. Plan A students must register for 10 thesis (EE 8777) credits, and write and defend a thesis on original research. Students may take up to 6 credits from graduate programs in related fields outside of EE. All courses must be 4xxx or above. A maximum of 6 credits in courses at 4xxx is allowed; a minimum of 3 credits in courses at 8xxx is required (excluding EE8001 and EE8777).

Plan B: Project Option

Students must complete a minimum of 31 semester credits including project credits. Plan B students must register for at least 1 project credit (EE 8222), and write and defend a project report. Students may take up to 6 credits from graduate programs in related fields outside of EE. All courses must be 4xxx or above. A maximum of 6 credits in courses at 4xxx is allowed; a minimum of 3 credits in courses at 8xxx is required (excluding EE8001 and EE8222).

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available through teaching assistantships (TAs) from the EE department and research assistantships (RAs) from individual faculty's research grants. 

Students who are admitted to the MSEE program will be automatically considered for graduate assistantships (25% or 50%) based on their academic and research potential and interest areas. Offers of a graduate assistantship are determined based on students' academic and research credentials and available funds. A full scholarship (50%) includes approximately $14,500 salary for the academic year plus tuition waiver for up to 14 credits per semester. Health insurance is available to the graduate assistant and dependents.

Duties of teaching assistants (TAs) include:

  • Directing undergraduate laboratory sessions
  • Grading laboratory reports and homework
  • Office hours

Detailed work content depends on the requirement from the course instructor and duties of research assistants are determined by the sponsoring faculty member. Continued support is contingent upon satisfactory performance in coursework, research project and teaching assignments.

Application Details

Apply Now

The University of Minnesota has several campuses. In the second online form, "Application Information", be sure to select the "MSEE" program at the Duluth campus.

In the "Graduate Program Supplementary Information" section, the applicant should upload the following:

  • Description of Research or Work Experience
  • Resume or CV
  • Publications of research work if there are any
  • Award certificates if there are any
  • GRE is not required, but may be used for consideration

The deadlines for applications are March 15th for the fall semester and November 1st for the spring semester for consideration for a GTA offer. Later applicants may be considered at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies and the graduate committee.

Questions regarding application to UMD's MSEE program can be sent to the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) Dr. Jiann-Shiou Yang at [email protected] or Executive Secretary Shey Peterson at [email protected].

MSEE Assessment Plan

 

 

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