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PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering
Home » Academics » Graduate Programs » PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering
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PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering
The Graduate PhD Program in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst offers students the opportunity to engage with faculty on research to have an impact on the grand challenges of engineering.
Research interests range from the fundamental underpinnings of emerging nanoelectronic devices, circuits, and computing architectures, all the way up to large complex, integrated, electronic sensing systems, designed to sense processes ranging from the geophysical to the biological.
Related offerings
Students interested in our PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering may also be interested in these other offerings.
- Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Graduate Certificate in Microwave Engineering
In the spotlight
UMass alum Dragana Perkovic-Martin was part of the successful operation of the descent radar for the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover that NASA recently landed on the Red Planet. Perkovic-Martin led the system engineering team for the mission's landing radar as the descent stage safely navigated the rover.
Application information & deadlines
Application can be accessed via the Graduate School's website . Find more information about the application process on the ECE Grad Program Application Notes page.
Fall Application
Due January 15 GRE is waived for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 applications
Spring Application
Due October 1. GRE is waived for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 applications
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering students at UMass Amherst play a hands-on role in the future of technology in communication, health care, smart cities, and more.
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Computer engineering students at UMass Amherst are designing and programming everything from complex software systems to autonomous vehicles—and you can, too.
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Ph.D. Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering is a research-oriented degree allowing students to specialize in a subfield of the discipline and participate in the discovery of new ideas. The doctoral program allows ample opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration across multiple departments. Ph.D. students must meet several milestones, which culminate in a doctoral dissertation.
Our Department requires that all doctoral students hold an M.S. degree. Although students are not required to hold an M.S. degree at the time of admission, they must complete an M.S. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, or a related field, before beginning their Ph.D. program requirements. Ph.D. students admitted without holding an M.S. degree are required to devote the first two years of their graduate program to the completion of this degree.
The major milestones for the Ph.D. program are listed below:
- Fulfillment of M.S. degree requirements (if applicable)
- A successful outcome in Ph.D. Preliminary Examination
- Completion of Ph.D. course requirements
- Nomination of a doctoral committee
- Passing the Ph.D. Oral Qualifying Examination
- Completion of doctoral research
- Writing of the dissertation
- Successful defense of the dissertation (the Final Oral Examination)
- Submission of the Dissertation
All Ph.D. requirements must be completed within five (5) academic years. Students admitted to the Ph.D. program without an M.S. degree will receive an additional two (2) academic years to complete the M.S. degree requirements. Additionally, Ph.D. students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 throughout the duration of the Ph.D. program.
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