Electrical and Computer engineers develop a wide range of electrical and electronic components, devices, and systems central to contemporary life. The MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering enables students to either enter the engineering workforce or continue on to a doctoral program of study.
Individual and team-based assignments will enable students to build mastery of important electrical engineering skills and their practical applications in areas that include microelectronics, signal processing, robotics and AI, power electronics, and energy systems.
The non-thesis option of this program allows students to complete their degree through coursework and project-based learning, while the thesis option is focused on engagement with research projects under the mentorship of a faculty member and culminating in the preparation and defense of a thesis.
The program is strengthened through broad collaborations with a variety of other academic programs, government agencies, and private research organizations, including the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science, the School of Forestry, the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, the Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research, and the U.S. Geological Survey.
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:
Individual degree programs may exceed the baseline University Policy for a master's degree. The program-specific requirements are provided on the Details tab below.
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 30 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Thesis | Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
Purpose Statement
This MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering will prepare you to either enter the electrical and computer engineering workforce or continue on to a doctoral program of study, building core skills that are widely applicable to many areas of science, engineering, industry, business, and research.
This degree is flexible and allows students to develop a customized program of study that is highly aligned with their professional or research interests. Available coursework allows students to study in many areas of electrical and computer engineering, including microelectronics, signal processing, robotics and AI, and power electronics and energy systems. While all students will be expected to contribute to a substantive electrical and computer engineering development or research project under the mentorship of a faculty member during the course of their study, thesis option students will have additional opportunities to engage in electrical engineering research and scholarship and prepare a thesis.
This program is designed for students with strong preparation in electrical and computer engineering, gained through successful completion of an undergraduate electrical and computer engineering program or other professional experience. The non-thesis option of the program is designed for students seeking professional preparation, while the thesis option is particularly appropriate for students for considering further graduate study in a doctoral program.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to contribute in a wide variety of electrical and computer engineering areas, including microelectronics, signal processing, robotics and AI, power electronics, and energy systems.
Student Learning Outcomes
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 Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
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.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
*See the application for details.
For those applying for fall 2026 and beyond, the following will be required:
*See the application for details.
This Master's degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 30 units:
Required Coursework (6 units)
Project-Based Learning (6 units)
Thesis or Non-Thesis Option - Select one (18 units)
Thesis Option Requirements (18 units)
Non-Thesis Option Requirements (18 units)
Students may use a maximum of two courses, up to 6 units, of EE or CS prefixed 400-level courses to satisfy a portion of elective requirements.
Students are responsible for ensuring that they meet all course prerequisites.
Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and start a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering at NAU.
A total of 12 units will be shared between the plans selected from:
OR
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and start a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering - Non-thesis at NAU.
A total of 12 units will be shared between the plans selected from:
Master's Requirements
This Master's degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 30 units:
Non-Thesis Requirement (18 units)
Students may use a maximum of two courses, up to 6 units, of EE or CS prefixed 400-level courses to satisfy a portion of elective requirements.
Students are responsible for ensuring that they meet all course prerequisites.
Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee has been approved for this program. See program fee details. Program fees are subject to change and updated July 1 for the next academic year.