Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

We are now accepting applications for our summer and fall semester start dates. For more details on application deadlines and start dates, refer to the academic calendar.

Program Description

The online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering is designed for students seeking to advance their expertise in electrical engineering. This program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers a range of topics, including circuit design, signal processing, electromagnetics, control systems, and telecommunications. Students have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as power systems, and wireless communication, depending on their interests and career goals. 

Additionally, this program solidifies their understanding of core electrical engineering principles and enhances their problem-solving and analytical skills. Graduates of this program are well-equipped to tackle complex engineering challenges and pursue a variety of career paths. Potential career fields include telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, or technology research and development. The degree program also provides a foundation for those interested in pursuing academic research or doctoral studies in electrical engineering or related fields.

Curriculum

The program consists of 10 courses (three credit hours each) that encompass essential electrical engineering skills. The curriculum is deliberately structured around high-growth and high-potential areas in technology. This offers our graduates significant opportunities to enhance their career trajectories. 

Electrical Power & Energy

  • Gain expertise in creating and refining intelligent systems for generating and distributing electrical power, utilizing both traditional and renewable green resources.
  • Master the skills to transmit and distribute power through smart, dependable, resilient, and self-healing power systems. 
  • Coursework encompasses methods for circuit analysis, energy conversion, modeling restructured power markets, and safeguarding power systems. 

Communications & Networks

  • Learn how the design and structure of network architecture facilitate the secure and efficient transfer of information. 
  • Acquire the skills to create high-speed, efficient telecommunication networks that ensure reliable data delivery. 
Core Courses

ECE 6010 Linear Systems Theory: Introduction to linear systems theory. Topics include linear vector spaces and linear operators, mathematical representation of dynamic linear systems, concept of state and solution of the state equation, controllability and observability, canonical forms of the state equation, state feedback, and state estimation. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6015 Stochastic Processes in Engineering: Axioms of probability; conditional probability; independent events; sequential experiments. Single and multiple random variables. Discrete-valued and continuous-valued stochastic processes; discrete-time and continuous-time stochastic processes; mean, auto-correlation and autocovariance functions; multiple random processes; stationary stochastic processes and linear time-invariant systems; ergodicity; Markov chains. Examples from engineering applications. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6025 Signals and Transforms in Engineering: Signal spaces and approximation. Orthogonal functions. Fourier series and transform. Bandpass signals and modulation. Hilbert transform and analytic signals. Time-frequency analysis. Short-time Fourier transform. Linear systems properties. Laplace transform. Sampling and discrete-time signals. Discrete-time Fourier transform and z-transform wavelets. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6045 Special Topics: Foundations of Electrical Engineering: Circuit elements and circuit analysis techniques. Circuit theorems for performing such fundamental computations for electrical engineering as sinusoidal steady-state analysis and maximum power or power dissipation calculations. Hands-on experience with CAD tools for designing circuits. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6800 Computational Techniques in Electrical Engineering: Introduction to linear algebra and vector spaces as applied to networks and electrical systems. Orthogonal bases, projections, and least squares. Fast Fourier transforms. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors with applications. Computations with matrices. Constrained optimization in electrical systems. Network models and applications. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6820 Program and Project Management: Problems in managing projects; project management as planning, organizing, directing, and monitoring; project and corporate organizations; duties and responsibilities; the project plan; schedule, cost, earned- value and situation analysis; leadership; team building; conflict management; meetings, presentations, and proposals. (3 credit hours)

Communications & Networks Focus Courses

ECE 6035 Introduction to Networks: Layered protocol architectures. Digital transmission, fundamental limits. Error detection and ARQ protocols. Data link layer and control. Multiple access protocols. Circuit and packet switching. Multiplexing. Routing. Flow and congestion control, queue management. LAN standards. TCP/IP. Next-generation Internet. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6132 Secure Cloud Computing: A comprehensive guide to security concerns and best practices for cloud computing and cloud services. Topics discussed include cloud computing architectures, risk issues and legal topics, data security, internal and external clouds, information security frameworks and operational guidelines. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6510 Communication Theory: Principles of digital communications. Channels, digital modulation; optimum receivers and algorithms in the AWGN; coherent, non-coherent, and fading channels. Correlation detectors, matched filters; diversity. Bounds on performance of communications, comparison of communications systems and implementation issues. Prerequisite: ECE 6015. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6520 Mobile and Wireless Communication Systems: Characterization of mobile and wireless channels. Indoor and outdoor path loss models. Multipath propagation. Fading and fading countermeasures: coding, equalization. Power control. Cellular design and frequency reuse. Modulation and coding techniques. Spread Spectrum and OFDM. Random access methods. Code and Space Division Multiple Access, MIMO. Prerequisite: ECE 6510. (3 credit hours)

Electrical Power & Energy Focus Courses

ECE 6070 Electrical Power Systems: AC power grids, transmission line parameters, load flow, economic dispatch voltage, frequency, and power flow control. Voltage, current, and power limitations. Fault analysis and stability considerations. Effect of independent power producers and variable energy sources and energy storage.

ECE 6610 Electrical Energy Conversion: Three-phase and single-phase AC rotating machines and transformers, DC machines, rotating machines as circuit elements, power semiconductor converters. Renewable generation, utility grid integration, smart grid applications. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6662 Power Electronics: The application of electronics to energy conversion. Principles of operation, analysis, and control of circuits including solid-state electronic switches. Methods of solving power electronic circuits and finding the steady-state values of important quantities. Deriving the linear model of the studied power electronic circuits and designing controllers for these devices. A general knowledge of electric circuits and linear control theory is required. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6669 Smart Power Grids: Overview of probability theory. Overview of basic power market reliability modeling and evaluation. Generation supply reliability techniques, modeling and evaluation. Reliability of transmission system and delivery of supply. Loss of load probability evaluation. Forced and maintenance outages and impact on system reliability. Load forecasting and probability of interconnected systems. Risk evaluation in power system operation. Operating reserve techniques and indices. Distribution system reliability including substations. Composite system reliability modeling. Reliability worth and value. (3 credit hours)

Academic Calendar

Our classes meet one night a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays) for nine weeks from 6:30 to 9:50 PM Eastern time. Students enroll in four 9-week sessions. There is also an optional fifth summer session (classes meet twice a week for five weeks). Students may begin their studies in any of the five sessions. Please see below for the dates of our upcoming sessions.

Session Dates Application Deadlines
Summer 2024 week of 5/20/24 – week of 6/17/24 5/1/2024
Fall 1 2024 week of 8/12/24 – week of 10/7/24 7/31/2024
Fall 2 2024 week of 10/14/24 – week of 12/9/24 9/30/2024
Spring 1 2025 week of 1/6/25 – week of 3/3/25 12/13/2024
Spring 2 2025 week of 3/10/25 – week of 5/5/25 2/10/2025


The course order is determined by advisors based on student progress toward completion of the curriculum. Course details will be provided to students via email approximately one month prior to the start of classes.

Tuition

Tuition is $1,195 per credit hour for the 2023-2024 academic year. Tuition is billed at the beginning of each semester for the courses registered during that semester. A non-refundable tuition deposit of $495 is required when the applicant accepts admission. This deposit is applied to tuition and due the first semester.  Our online graduate degree programs in engineering require no additional fees. We provide eBooks and software at no additional cost.

Admissions Process

Review the Admissions Requirements 

Ideal candidates for the programs will meet the following requirements:

  • Hold a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
  • Minimum grade point average of B- (2.7 on a 4.0 scale) or higher.
    • Applicants with less than a 2.7 GPA may also apply. Upon a holistic review of application materials, a conditional acceptance may be given to applicants with less than a 2.7 GPA.
  • If you’re applying from outside the U.S., please see international student admissions information for additional requirements.

​​​​​​Note: GW considers a candidate’s entire background when reaching an admissions decision. Applicants who do not meet all the requirements may still be eligible for admission. Their records will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Apply for Admission and Submit Supporting Documents

Apply for Admission
 There is no application fee for any GW online engineering program. 

Complete application packets include:

  • Resume or C.V.: Upload your up-to-date resume or C.V.
  • Statement of Purpose:  In an essay of 250 words or less, describe your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also, discuss any other related qualifications not already mentioned, such as collegiate, professional, or community activities.
  • Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all institutions where a degree was earned. Transcripts should be sent to [email protected] (if sent electronically), or via mail to:
    Online Engineering Programs
    The George Washington University
    170 Newport Center Drive
    Suite 260
    Newport Beach, CA 92660
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) letters of recommendation are required from professional references. Begin this process by filling out this letter of recommendation form. Within this form you will share the email address of the individual providing your recommendation. Once you complete your required section, Docusign will send that individual a link to the letter of recommendation form. A letter of recommendation is only considered official when it is sent directly from the individual providing the recommendation through DocuSign. Submissions directly from applicants will not be accepted.
  • GRE Scores: GRE scores are not required but if available, should be submitted to enhance your application.
Remain Engaged in the Admissions Process

You will receive emails from us updating you as your application goes through the admissions process.

 

Register for the next Information Session

Live via Zoom
Tue. April 16th, 7:00 pm Eastern

Register and Join the Webinar
 

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