Application Process

Following are the simple steps to apply for graduate study in electrical and computer engineering (ECE) at the University of Denver. If you have any questions about the process, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies.

1. Apply Online / Application Deadlines
Applications for graduate study in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Denver must be submitted online. Applicants are encouraged to submit all materials to the Office of Graduate Studies by the priority deadline: February 1. Students interested in competing for graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs) are encouraged to submit their applications by the deadline to ensure full consideration for an appointment in September of a given year. Documents sent by postal mail should be postmarked no later than February 1. GTAs are offered to students who have been admitted to the PhD program and rarely to master's students who have chosen the thesis option.

International applicants are encouraged to have the admission application and all supporting documents in the Office of Graduate Studies by the deadline or no later than May 1.

Applications received after the priority deadline will be accepted, processed and reviewed on a rolling basis for the fall, winter or spring quarters.

To apply online, visit: https://du-grad.edu.185r.net/application. A $65 non-refundable application fee is required for an application to be processed. Application fee waivers are available for McNair Scholars.

2. Transcripts / Course and Degree Prerequisites and Requirements

Admission to the Master's Programs
A bachelor of science (BS) degree in computer engineering (BSCpE), electrical engineering (BSEE), or closely related field is required for admission to the programs. Those students whose backgrounds differ significantly from EAC/ABET-accredited BS computer or electrical engineering programs may be required to complete prerequisite undergraduate courses. Such courses are not considered part of the 45 quarter hour requirements for the degree. A competency examination may be required of candidates who do not possess a 3.0 GPA or a BS in electrical, electronic or computer engineering from an EAC/ABET accredited program. Students with BS degrees in physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering science, electrical engineering technology, engineering physics or similar BS degrees may also be admitted. However, these students should be able to demonstrate competency in the following basic subjects by passing an appropriate competency examination:

MSCpE

• Circuits and Electronics
• Digital Systems
• Computer Organization
• A high- or low-level computer language

MSEE

• Digital Design Methods
• Physical Electronics
• Introductory Electromagnetics
• Signals and Systems
• Principles of Communications
• Circuits and Electronics

MSE

• Controls
• Robotics
• Signals and Systems
• Circuits and Electronics
• Digital Design Methods
• Mechanics
• Electromagnetics

Students may be admitted provisionally while they take the appropriate prerequisite courses should it be determined from the competency examination or from the prior academic records that certain needed skills are lacking. Through the satisfactory completion of the stated provisional requirements, the student's status will be changed from provisional to regular status.

 Admission to the PhD Program

Students with a MS in CpE, MS in MSE, MS in EE, MS in ME, or closely related areas may apply for admission to the PhD in ECE or PhD in MSE programs. Admission with only a BS in this field is also possible, but students with only a BS degree are strongly encouraged to enroll first in the MS (CpE, EE, MSE) programs. Admission to the PhD programs is based on review of the application and associated references. Normally, a GPA of at least 3.0 is required. All graduate engineering courses presuppose mastery of the subject matter of a modern ABET-accredited curriculum in engineering. Students with a BS in other engineering or related science fields and students with a BSCpE, BSEE, or BSME who have not taken graduate academic work for some time may be required to complete preparatory courses that are prerequisites for the core courses of the engineering concentrations on which the qualifying exams are based. These courses carry no credit toward the graduate degree.

Applicants are required to submit an official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended, or are presently attending, where two quarter hours (or one semester hour) or more were completed. Proof of a bachelor's, and if applicable, a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required. Applicants must also account for any study undertaken outside the United States. If study abroad course work with grades and course titles do not appear on a transcript, those records must be obtained as well. All transcripts must be official and received in the Office of Graduate Studies in a sealed envelope. University of Denver students and alumni do not need to provide DU transcripts as these will be requested by the Office of Graduate Studies.

Transcripts issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Students who have earned a degree outside the U.S. must also submit proof of graduation, typically through a degree certificate or diploma. If you have been educated outside the U.S., we encourage you to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for assistance regarding transcript-related materials. DU's in-house foreign credential evaluation may take up to four weeks. This evaluation must be complete by the program's stated deadline. Applicants with education credentials from outside of the U.S. are encouraged to apply early.

3. Test Scores

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission. Scores must be received directly from the appropriate testing agency by the program's stated deadline. The institution code for the University of Denver is 4842. Non-native English speakers are required to provide scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please note: this requirement is independent of citizenship status.

We practice a holistic admission review process taking into account a variety of primary academic factors as well as secondary factors as they relate to your ability to be successful in our rigorous academic environment. Competitive GRE scores for students admitted to the department of electrical and computer engineering are below.

MS: Verbal - 146: Quantitative - 155: Analytical Writing Section - 3.25
PhD: Verbal - 146: Quantitative - 155: Analytical Writing Section - 3.25

The minimum TOEFL score accepted by DU is 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper-based). The minimum IELTS score accepted by DU is 6.0. Non-native English speakers who hold a post-secondary degree from an institution where English is the only language of instruction and examination or who hold a regionally accredited baccalaureate degree from a U.S. institution are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement. There are no exemptions for graduate teaching assistants.

Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) must demonstrate fluency in spoken English by scoring a 26 on the TOEFL speaking section or 8.0 on the IELTS speaking section. Please visit http://www.du.edu/learn/graduates/internationalapplicants.html for a list of TOEFL/IELTS requirements.

4. Personal Statement

A personal statement of at least 300 words is required. The statement should be submitted via upload through the online application process. The statement should include information concerning your life, education, practical experience, special interests and specific purposes for furthering your studies in the department of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Denver. The statement should be submitted via upload through the online application process.

5. Resume / C.V.
A detailed resume or C.V. is required. This should include all educational achievements, relevant work experience, research, and/or volunteer work. The resume or C.V. should be submitted via upload through the online application process.

6. Recommendation Letters
Three letters of recommendation are required. These letters should be solicited and uploaded by recommenders through the online application system. Letters must be received by the program's stated deadline

7. Financial Support
As a University of Denver graduate student, you are eligible for two types of financial aid: need-based (available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents) and merit-based (available to all students, including international students). The department of electrical and computer engineering also offers a number of competitive graduate teaching assistantships (GTA)that provides full tuition remission along with a stipend for the nine-month academic year (three academic quarters). It should be noted that students whose undergraduate degree is not in engineering are not typically eligible for a graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) upon entry. Other sources of financial aid available include graduate research assistantships (GRA) either with or without partial tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, and work opportunities from the department and from the School of Engineering and Computer Science (SECS). Non-native English speakers have a language requirement for eligibility. For more information about financial aid, please contact the ECE department.

To be considered for financial support, domestic applicants should apply early and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority deadline: February 15. Information about financial aid can be found on the Office of Financial Aid website . International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Contact your academic program for more information.

8. Application Status
We encourage you to be actively engaged in the admission process. You can check your application status online at Web Central.
Mailing Address
Mail official transcripts, and any supplemental admission materials that cannot be submitted with the online application to:

University of Denver
Office of Graduate Studies
Mary Reed Building, Room 5
2199 S. University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80208-4802

International Applicants
For complete international applicant information, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies' International Student Application Information. International applicants are strongly encouraged to have their applications complete at least eight weeks prior to the program's application deadline.