Post-Master’s PhD

College of Engineering PhD Handbook

There are no structured course requirements for Post-Master’s PhD students, but students are required to complete 32 500-level or higher credits toward their degree. A minimum of 8 credits of research/dissertation coursework is required.

Coursework used to fulfill the PhD degree requirements may not be used to fulfill the requirements of any other degree program.

Timeline of requirements for PhD students

Within the first 2 years

Candidacy: PhD students achieve candidacy when they have completed the mathematics requirement and passed the ECE qualifying exam.

Mathematics Requirement

All PhD students must display math competency by achieving a B+ or higher in one of the following courses (see our graduate courses list for more information):

For Post-MS PhDs:
Either the Post-BS mathematics requirements must be fulfilled or the student must submit evidence for the achievement of a B+ or better in an equivalent course as determined by the ECE Graduate Committee.

Post-BS PhDs requirements:
EE/CE: EK501
EE: EC501, EC505, EC515, EC516, EC574
CE: EC504, EC533, EC534, EC541, EC561

ECE Qualifying Exam

The ECE qualifying exam is offered once a year, on the first Saturday in April. Students must take the exam at its first offering and must pass it within two attempts. Copies of past ECE qualifying exams are available on the ECE website under “Student Resources.”

Doctoral students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 to remain in good academic standing and to graduate. All graduate courses are counted in the GPA. Only grades of “B-” or better fulfill PhD curricular requirements.

A minimum of 16 credit hours of research/dissertation is required.

In addition to credit requirements, each student must successfully pass the qualifying exams, serve as a teaching fellow for two semesters and successfully propose and defend an original body of dissertation work.