2018-2019

Engineering - Electrical Engineering, Master of Engineering

School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

This program prepares you for professional practice with a broad, applied education with courses in several technical areas. With input from industry, Northern Arizona University created courses to enhance knowledge, understanding, and/or develop skills critical to today's practicing engineers.

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2020

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 30
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Additional Fees/Program Fees Required
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study

Purpose Statement

The Master of Engineering is a non-thesis professional degree, based primarily on course work and/or on an engineering project designed with the guidance of a faculty advisor to address a need or problem specific to their engineering field of study (Civil, Environmental, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering).  This degree program is designed to provide a broad, practice-based education. 

Student Learning Outcomes 

Demonstrate the ability to apply graduate level critical thinking skills to formulate and solve advanced civil (electrical/environmental/mechanical) engineering problems.

  • Acquires knowledge on advanced contemporary engineering topics and computational tools specific to civil (electrical/environmental/mechanical) engineering.
  • Develops the ability to identify, formulate, and solve relevant advanced civil (electrical/environmental/mechanical) engineering problems.
  • Develops the ability to synthesize, explain, verify, and justify solutions to complex civil (electrical/environmental/mechanical) engineering problems.
Demonstrate the ability to, independently and creatively, design, plan, and conduct complex civil (electrical/environmental/mechanical) engineering projects.
  • Assesses the state of the art in the field of study.
  • Applies, independently and creatively, appropriate engineering theories and tools towards developing a viable solution for the project.
  • Designs and conducts activities specific to the project.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively the results of a comprehensive research project through oral presentations and publications.
  • Creates a report reflecting the integration of knowledge acquired through the project.
  • Delivers an oral presentation to peers summarizing the work performed on the project and its outcomes.
  • Synthesizes and presents the relevance of the engineering project in both technical and non-technical terms.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or completion of prerequisite courses. See department website for details.
    • GRE® Revised General Test
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement or essay
Master's Requirements

  • Take the following 30 units:

    • Engineering Management/Business (3 units)
    • Advanced Mathematics or Statistics (3 units)
    • Electives (24 units)
    Please note the following apply to all Master of Engineering students in Electrical Engineering:
    • You are responsible for choosing the chair and members of your advisory committee before completing 9 units of coursework.
    • By the first month of the term in which you take your 10th unit of credit, you must submit a plan of study listing all coursework intended to satisfy the M.Eng. degree requirements. (This plan of study is subject to the approval of your advisory committee and the program director of your home institution.)
    • You may apply up to 6 letter-graded units from any combination of Independent Study (XXX 697) and 400-level courses (not including XXX 408, 485 or 497) toward your degree
    • At least 18 units must be in electrical engineering
    • You must complete at least 24 hours of formal course work (which cannot include Independent Study (XXX 697) or, other such individualized studies as field work (XXX 608), practice-oriented project (XXX 690) and research (XXX 685).

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

  • Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

    This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan. Accelerated Programs provide the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates working on their bachelor’s degree to simultaneously begin work on a master’s degree. Departments may allow students to complete both degrees in an accelerated manner by approving up to 12 units applicable toward both degrees. Students must apply to the accelerated program and the master’s program by the application deadline, and meet all requirements as listed on the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year. Be sure to speak with your advisor regarding your interest in Accelerated Programs.