2025-2026

Electrical and Computer Engineering, Master of Science

School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems

Steve Sanghi College of Engineering

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.

This plan is available for students as of Fall 2026

  • 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.

     

    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:

  • Complete individual plan 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

  • Identify, explain, and synthesize fundamental concepts of electrical and computer engineering, microelectronics, signal processing, robotics and AI, power electronics, and energy systems.
  • Analyze and critically distill scientific literature to identify electrical engineering theories and development and research methods appropriate to relevant science and engineering problems and research areas.
  • Apply electrical and computer engineering theories and development and research methods to formulate, develop, and assess electrical and computer system solutions to relevant science and engineering problems and research areas.
  • Compose and engage in highly effective written and oral communication in electrical engineering areas.

Graduate Admission Information

  • 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:

    • 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.

Additional Admission Requirements

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

    • Completion of a Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or completion of program prerequisite courses. See the department website for details.
    • Essay/Letter of Intent/Personal Statement*
    • GRE® Revised General Test*
    • Recommendation(s)/Reference(s)*

  • For those applying for fall 2026 and beyond, the following will be required:

    • Completion of a Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or completion of program prerequisite courses. See the department website for details.
    • Essay/Letter of Intent/Personal Statement*
    • Recommendation(s)/Reference(s)*
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae*
Master's Requirements

  • This Master's degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:

    • 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


    Take the following 30 units:

  • Required Coursework (6 units)

    • EE 526 (3 units)
    • Select from the following (3 units)
      • INF 511
      • Any graduate-level STA or MAT prefixed course.

  • Project-Based Learning (6 units)

    • Select from the following under the direction of an electrical engineering faculty member (6 units):

  • Thesis or Non-Thesis Option - Select one (18 units)

    • Thesis Option Requirements (18 units)

      • EE 699 (6 units)
        • Completed under the direction of an electrical engineering research advisor.
      • Select additional coursework from the specializations below, or other graduate-level electives. At least 6 units must be EE courses. (12 units)
    • Thesis option students are responsible for selecting a research advisor who will act as their thesis committee chair, as well as other members of their thesis committee, before completing 9 units of coursework in the degree program.
    • Thesis option students must complete a thesis and thesis final defense, and are responsible for following all applicable NAU Requirements for Theses and Dissertations (policy number 100806).

    • Non-Thesis Option Requirements (18 units)

      • Select additional coursework from the specializations below, or other graduate-level electives. At least 12 units must be EE courses. (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:

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

    • 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:

      • 400-level EE coursework (6 units)
      • 500-level EE coursework (6 units)


      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:

      • 400-level EE coursework (6 units)
      • 500-level EE coursework (6 units)
    • Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs, as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan 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 the Master's Program Director/Coordinator regarding your interest in the accelerated plan.

    • Master's Requirements
       

      This Master's degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:

      • Required Coursework: 6 units
      • Project-Based Learning: 6 units
      • Non-Thesis Requirement: 18 units


      Take the following 30 units:

    • Required Coursework (6 units)

      • EE 526 (3 units)
      • Select from the following (3 units)
        • INF 511
        • Any graduate-level STA or MAT prefixed course.

    • Project-Based Learning (6 units)

      • Select from the following under the direction of an electrical engineering faculty member (6 units):

    • Non-Thesis Requirement (18 units)

      • Select additional coursework from the specializations below, or other graduate-level electives. At least 12 units must be EE courses.

    • 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:

Additional Information

  • Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

  • Program Fee Information

  • 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.