Graduate Degree Programs

The doctoral program (PhD) may be pursued on either a full- or part-time basis. Students entering with a master's degree have a time limit of 5 years to complete all requirements; those holding only a bachelor’s have a 7-year time limit. The degree is awarded when the student successfully defends a doctoral thesis that makes a substantial contribution to fundamental knowledge in a particular field or interdisciplinary field. Almost all ECSE PhD students in good standing receive financial support (stipend and tuition) throughout their doctoral study.

ECSE offers master of science (MS) degrees in Electrical Engineering (ELEC) and Computer & Systems Engineering (CSYS). Thesis and non-thesis options are available. Students may pursue the master’s degree on either a full- or part-time basis. The MS without thesis is usually a terminal degree for those who wish to enter professional practice upon completion. For master’s students considering a PhD, the MS with thesis is strongly preferred. Substantial merit-based tuition scholarships are available to highly qualified master's program applicants.

The Master of Science in Semiconductor Technology is a non-thesis master's program intended for those who wish to enter the semiconductor industry upon completion or engage in advanced research. The program is designed to reflect the broad range of needs and the interdisciplinary nature of the semiconductor field. The program includes core areas such as semiconductor devices and processing, circuits and systems design, and power electronics.

This program, which allows RPI students to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years, provides an efficient, optimized path to earning a graduate degree while extending undergraduate Rensselaer funding for an additional year.

The ECSE department offers a B.S.-Ph.D. program for ECSE undergraduate students with a passion for research. In this unique program, students are able to conduct research during their undergraduate studies, and begin their Ph.D. immediately after receiving their B.S. degree.