About PhD Program,
The doctoral degree, i.e. the Ph.D., is primarily intended for students desiring a career in research and/or collegiate teaching. The focus is on advanced ECE topics, on learning to perform research and to write research papers, and on making fundamental new contributions to an ECE topic. Students take advanced course work and write a doctoral dissertation, also called a thesis.
Ph.D. students pursue a degree in an area of emphasis created in collaboration with their advisor. In most cases it will fall into one of the following major specialties:
Students newly admitted to a doctoral program are classified as precandidates. Upon entering a doctoral program, there is a Ph.D. qualifying process, normally completed during the first two years. After all requirements except the dissertation are completed, students become candidates. Students entering the ECE doctoral program with a bachelor’s degree typically become candidates in the third year and and are strongly encouraged to complete the degree within five years. Such students ordinarily complete the requirements for a master’s degree along the way and receive this degree in addition to the Ph.D. A masters thesis is optional.
Students who enter the ECE doctoral program with a master’s in the field of their program typically become candidates in their second year and are strongly encouraged to complete the degree within four years. Such students are not ordinarily eligible to receive an additional master’s degree.
The complete doctoral requirements can be found in the program guide.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Admission typically requires a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
The institution code for both the GRE and the TOEFL is 1839.
Department code is not required.
Current ECE MS students interested in the ECE PhD program must apply by following the Rackham application process. Such students are strongly encouraged to get involved in research with an EECS faculty member prior to the application. Current MS students who apply to the PhD program without having first formed a research relationship with a potential PhD advisor are rarely admitted. If admitted, students will have the same opportunities and program requirements as any other student entering with a relevant master’s degree.
Learn more about the MS to PhD Admission Process and Instructions
PhD Funding Coverage,
Students admitted to the doctoral program in Electrical and Computer Engineering receive financial aid for the anticipated duration of studies (five years for students entering with a BS, four years for students entering with an MS), assuming satisfactory progress is made. Financial aid is offered by the doctoral program when admission is offered, and consists of a fellowship, a research assistantship, a teaching assistantship, or a combination thereof. This aid normally includes a tuition waiver, stipend (approximently $32,500 for 12 months) and health care.
Students entering with an external fellowship will see their award adjusted to reflect the external support. As a condition of admission, students must report external fellowship with documentation of the award to the graduate program coordinator.
Application Requirement,
- Statement of Purpose
- Official transcripts
- Two of the recommendation letters
- Recommendation request
- Financial documents
- Test report
- Publications or articles
Application Deadline,
Dec 15, 2024
Application Fee,
- United States citizens and those with permanent resident visa status, $75
- Non-U.S. citizens, $90
- Current Rackham student (regardless of citizenship) $10
