Earn an online master’s in electrical engineering and get a credential that commands attention — see top programs, accreditation standards, common courses, and where the degree can take you.
Author: Kyra Sutherland
Expertise: Graduate Ed.Online LearningStudent SuccessEditor: Jordan Cosselman
- Spotlights
Inside 3 Popular Electrical Engineering Master's Programs
Read more - Benefits
Key Benefits of Earning an Online Master's in Electrical Engineering
Read more - What You'll Learn
What You'll Learn in an Online Master's Electrical Engineering Program
Read more - Accreditation
Accreditation for Online Electrical Engineering Master's Degree Programs
Read more - Careers
What You Can Do with a Master's in Electrical Engineering
Read more - Top Schools
Best Online Electrical Engineering Master's Degrees
Read more
An ABET-accredited online master’s in electrical engineering can be a smart move for engineers looking to advance. These programs build expertise in information systems, digital signal processing, power and energy, and more — without requiring you to leave your current job or location.
This guide covers the top accredited programs, what to expect from coursework, how much it costs, and your career options after graduation.
Details of Popular Electrical Engineering Master’s Programs
The programs below are among the most recognized online electrical engineering master’s options in the country. Each is accredited, flexible, and built to serve working professionals.
Purdue University
- Degree: MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSECE)
- Credits: 30 (15 ECE courses + 6 graduate math + up to 9 electives from outside EE)
- Duration: As little as 1 year for full-time students
- Financial aid: All online students automatically considered for a financial fellowship
Purdue’s program has been top-ranked multiple times and gives students wide flexibility to focus on a specific area of interest. Concentration options include:
- Automatic control
- Communications and networking
- Signal & image processing
- Computer engineering
- Fields and optics
- Microelectronics and nanotechnology
- Power and energy systems (Schweitzer)
- VLSI and circuit design
Stanford University
- Degree: MS in Electrical Engineering
- Credits: 45
- Duration: Typically 3–5 years part-time
- Transfer credits: Not accepted; up to 18 units from Stanford’s non-degree option may apply
- GRE / minimum GPA: Not required
Stanford’s admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a strong technical background in engineering, physical sciences, or mathematics; unofficial transcripts; a statement of purpose; and three letters of recommendation.
Most courses can be completed online, though Stanford notes that online availability “depends heavily on your program plan, area of focus, and the course offerings for any given academic quarter.” Coursework spans circuits, software and hardware systems, communications and networking, physical technology and science, and signal processing.
Texas A&M University
- Degree options: Master of Engineering (MEng) or Master of Science (MS) in Electrical Engineering
- Credits: 30 (MEng and MS non-thesis) or 32 (MS with thesis)
- Thesis: Required for MS-thesis track; optional for MS non-thesis; not required for MEng
- Final defense: Required on-campus for MS-thesis track only
Texas A&M offers seven focus areas:
- Analog and Mixed Signal
- Biomedical Imaging, Sensing, and Genomic Signal Processing
- Device Science and Nanotechnology
- Energy and Power
- Electromagnetics and Microwaves
- Information Science and Systems
- Computer Engineering Systems
3 Key Benefits of an Online Electrical Engineering Master’s
Most EE jobs only require a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s opens doors to leadership, research, and teaching roles that aren’t otherwise accessible. Here’s what else makes the online format worth considering.
1. Access to Teaching and Research
A master’s degree is your entry point to research labs and higher education institutions. If you want to be at the forefront of new technology development, or to pass your expertise to the next generation of engineers, this credential is what makes it possible.
2. Flexibility and Convenience
Online programs let you keep your job and apply what you learn in real time. You complete coursework when you have time, from wherever you are — no relocation, no commute, no rigid class schedule.
This makes online EE master’s programs especially well-suited to working engineers who’ve identified specific knowledge gaps they want to close.
3. Specialization
Most programs are built around electives, not core requirements. That means you can either broaden your general EE knowledge or dive deep into a specific concentration, making you a more marketable expert in your chosen area.
What You’ll Study in an Online Electrical Engineering Master’s
Online EE master’s programs typically cover energy systems, circuits, electrical devices, digital signal processing, hardware platforms, quantum computing, and computer-aided design. Most or all coursework can be completed 100% online.
Students pursuing research or teaching opportunities may want to look for programs with a thesis option. Here are five courses that commonly appear across programs:
Semiconductor Technologies and Systems
Covers the physics, chemistry, and materials science behind semiconductors, with enough background to understand how transistors and solar cells operate. Key topics include:
- Bandgap and band structure
- Electrons, holes, and the Fermi function
- Doping and carrier transport
- Generation-recombination processes
- Measurement techniques for semiconductor materials
Applied Quantum Mechanics
Covers quantum mechanics from fundamentals through present-day hardware platforms and quantum software. Students build the foundation to understand computing models built on quantum principles — increasingly relevant as quantum computing moves from research into industry.
Nuclear Power Engineering
A common elective covering nuclear structure and radiation, biological effects, radiation medical applications, and reactor engineering. Topics include:
- Neutron and reactor physics
- Neutron diffusion and reactor criticality
- Nuclear materials and waste management
- Reactor systems and safety
Solid State Devices
Examines how solid-state devices operate, with some overlap with semiconductor fundamentals. Students analyze the PN junction diode, Schottky diode, MOS capacitor, and MOSFET, as well as heterojunction surface devices.
Digital Signal Processing
Covers sampling theory, digital filtering, spectrum estimation, autoregressive modeling, and transmultiplexers. Real-world applications emphasized include:
- CD/DVD players and audio compression
- Radar and GPS signal processing
- 5G cellular communications
- Wireless routers
Specialization/Concentration Options
Communications and Information Systems
Information theory, signal processing, societal networks, multimedia, 5G, machine learning, and smart grid networking.
Electronic Circuits and Systems
VLSI, solid-state devices, power electronics, RFID, FPGA-based systems, and low-power circuit design.
Microwave, Antenna, and Photonic Systems
Telecom system design for terrestrial and space applications; directly relevant to 5G, quantum computing, autonomous vehicles, and portable medical sensors.
Electric Energy Systems
Renewable energy, power systems, electric machines, solar cell development, battery testing, microgrid simulation, and EV powertrain electronics.
Accreditation: What to Look For
The accreditation to look for is ABET — the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. ABET’s approval signals that a program meets rigorous quality standards and is equipped to prepare competent engineers for the workforce.
You can verify a school’s accreditation status directly through the ABET program search tool. If a program isn’t ABET-accredited, check carefully before enrolling — some employers and licensing boards specifically require it.
Career Paths with a Master’s in Electrical Engineering
A master’s in electrical engineering deepens your expertise and opens doors to leadership, research, and teaching roles that typically aren’t available to bachelor’s-only engineers.
The broader engineering field is growing at a steady 3% rate. One important note: nuclear engineering specifically is projected to decline by 13%, so factor that into your specialization decisions.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise electrical equipment and systems — from motors and communication systems to power generation equipment, automobiles, and aircraft. Most work is in manufacturing, engineering services, or government.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| $63,020 | $98,530 | $155,880 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Nuclear Engineer
Nuclear engineers research and develop processes, instruments, and systems to harness nuclear energy and radiation for industrial and medical applications. Some specialize in nuclear power sources for ships or spacecraft.
Note: the nuclear engineering job market is projected to decrease by 13% through 2032. Consider this carefully if you’re weighing a nuclear specialization.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| $71,860 | $113,460 | $179,430 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Engineering Manager
Engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in engineering organizations. The role typically requires significant experience before advancement and involves overseeing teams in office, laboratory, or industrial production settings.
This is one of the highest-paying roles accessible to electrical engineers and is a natural destination for those who combine technical depth with leadership ability.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| $92,510 | $144,830 | $208,000 |
Source: PayScale
Computer Hardware Engineer
Electrical engineers who specialize in computing move into designing, developing, and testing computer systems and components. Most work in research laboratories building and evaluating different hardware models.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| $68,460 | $117,220 | $185,240 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Test Engineer
Test engineers design and conduct processes to verify that products meet relevant technical specifications. In electrical engineering, this means checking systems in electronic products and reporting findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| $63,020 | $98,530 | $155,880 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Tuition and Financial Aid for Online Electrical Engineering Master’s Degrees
Graduate courses are typically more expensive per credit than undergraduate courses, so having a financial plan before you commit to a program is important.
You can finance your degree by using:
- Fellowships — Purdue automatically considers all online students; ask your target programs about fellowship availability at admission
- Government aid — complete your FAFSA to access federal grants and loans
- Employer tuition assistance — many engineering employers offer tuition benefits; check your HR policy or prioritize employers who do
- Work-study programs — some programs offer research or teaching assistant positions that offset costs
- Scholarships — look for engineering-specific or STEM awards; narrower eligibility typically means less competition
- Student loans — federal low-interest loans are preferable to private lending after you’ve exhausted other options
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Total Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University | 30 | $750 | $22,500 |
| Stanford University | 45 | $1,352 | $60,840 |
| Texas A&M University | 30 | $710.30 | $21,309 |