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The Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Clemson University offers 30-credit hour MS-thesis and non-thesis degrees in both Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. Our MS degrees allow students to select coursework and a plan of study tailored to their research interests and career goals. MS degree courses are offered in-person, online, and in a hybrid format at our main campus in Clemson, SC and at the Zucker Family Graduate Education Center in Charleston, SC.
All MS degree students admitted to either the MS Electrical Engineering or MS Computer Engineering programs work with their advisor to identify and fulfill the focus area requirements. Focus areas include: computing and communications, energy systems, intelligent systems, or photonics, electronics, and quantum systems. Additionally, MS degree students have the option to minor in a related fields and departments (math, physics, computer science, or industrial engineering) by completing as few as six additional credit hours.
The MS non-thesis degree is recommended for recent B.S. graduates in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering interested in an advanced degree and a career in industry. Many top-firms, including Meta, Google, Apple, and Lockheed Martin, require graduate degrees for senior engineer positions. Our MS non-thesis program is designed for students interested in these professional positions and allows students to earn a graduate degree in as little as 12-months. The MS non-thesis option requires a minimum of 30-credit hours (at least 18 of which must be at the 8000-level) and student can tailor their focus area to build skills in preparation for their career goals.
Students in route to a PhD in electrical or computer engineering, or who are supported as a research assistant, will pursue the MS-thesis degree. Students interested the MS thesis program will pursue research in one of four emphasis areas: computing and communications, energy systems, intelligent systems, or photonics, electronics, and quantum systems. While the MS thesis option is also 30-credit hours, students must complete 12 credit hours at the 8000-level in addition to six credits of ECE 8910: Master’s Thesis Research. The MS-thesis degree differs from the non-thesis option by the required thesis research report and oral defense prior to graduation.
Admission is based on the applicant’s record of academic performance, standardized test scores, and letters of reference. Each applicant should highlight relevant work experience and detail academic goals and research interests in a written statement of purpose. Information on required undergraduate prerequisite courses can be found on the UG Course Requirements page.
The Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has teamed up with HYP Global Limited to provide the ECE Pre-master Boot Camp. This collaboration aims to support international students aspiring to pursue a master's degree in electrical and computer engineering (MSEE and MSCpE) at Clemson University.
FALL ENROLLMENT – February 1* is the priority deadline.
SPRING ENROLLMENT – October 1** is the priority deadline.
SUMMER ENROLLMENT – Students are only admitted to a summer term under special circumstances (e.g., recruited students with assistantship offers when agreed upon by the student and their faculty advisor). Any other student who applies for a summer term will be evaluated for Fall enrollment.
*Applications may be submitted after February 1 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until May 1. Any application received after May 1 will be evaluated for Spring enrollment.
**Applications may be submitted after October 1 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until November 1. Any application received after November 1 will be evaluated for Fall enrollment.
You can view the median test scores of admitted students by program offered at Clemson University. While we do not have a minimum GRE, TOEFL or GPA, we typically seek out applicants with scores in this general range of test scores. Our application review committee looks at all parts of the application to determine if you have the educational background to be successful in our program. Please note that our program has very high expectations of our applicants.
The following supporting materials are required for our graduate application package:
For more information, please see our FAQ section and our Graduate Student Handbook or contact our department at ecegrad@clemson.edu.