Online Masters in Electrical Engineering

We are now accepting applications for our fall and spring semester start dates. For more details on online application deadlines and start dates, refer to the academic calendar.

Program Description

The online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering is designed for students seeking to advance their expertise in the field. Taught by world-class faculty, graduates of this program are well-equipped to tackle complex engineering challenges and pursue a variety of paths towards rewarding careers. The advanced degree program also provides a foundation for those interested in pursuing academic research or doctoral studies in electrical engineering or related fields.

Curriculum

The program consists of 10 courses (three credit hours each) that encompass essential electrical engineering skills, including electromagnetics, photonics, power engineering, renewable energy and signal processing. The curriculum is deliberately structured around high-growth and high-potential areas in technology. This offers our graduates significant technical skills, faculty mentorship and opportunities to enhance their trajectories in rewarding careers. 

Additionally, the program’s structure provides students with the online access and flexibility of distance education to study at their convenience and from any location. 

Electrical Power & Energy

• Gain expertise in creating and refining intelligent systems for generating and distributing electrical power, utilizing both traditional and renewable green resources.
• Master the skills to transmit and distribute power through smart, dependable, resilient, and self-healing power engineering systems. 
• Coursework encompasses methods for circuit analysis, energy conversion, modeling restructured power markets, and safeguarding power systems 

Learn more about the courses

ECE 6010 Linear Systems Theory: Introduction to linear systems theory. Topics include linear vector spaces and linear operators, mathematical representation of dynamic linear systems, concept of state and solution of the state equation, controllability and observability, canonical forms of the state equation, state feedback, and state estimation. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6015 Stochastic Processes in Engineering: Axioms of probability; conditional probability; independent events; sequential experiments. Single and multiple random variables. Discrete-valued and continuous-valued stochastic processes; discrete-time and continuous-time stochastic processes; mean, auto-correlation and autocovariance functions; multiple random processes; stationary stochastic processes and linear time-invariant systems; ergodicity; Markov chains. Examples from engineering applications. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6025 Signals and Transforms in Engineering: Signal spaces and approximation. Orthogonal functions. Fourier series and transform. Bandpass signals and modulation. Hilbert transform and analytic signals. Time-frequency analysis. Short-time Fourier transform. Linear systems properties. Laplace transform. Sampling and discrete-time signals. Discrete-time Fourier transform and z-transform wavelets. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6045 Special Topics: Foundations of Electrical Engineering: Circuit elements and circuit analysis techniques. Circuit theorems for performing such fundamental computations for electrical engineering as sinusoidal steady-state analysis and maximum power or power dissipation calculations. Hands-on experience with CAD tools for designing circuits. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6800 Computational Techniques in Electrical Engineering: Introduction to linear algebra and vector spaces as applied to networks and electrical systems. Orthogonal bases, projections, and least squares. Fast Fourier transforms. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors with applications. Computations with matrices. Constrained optimization in electrical systems. Network models and applications. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6820 Program and Project Management: Problems in managing projects; project management as planning, organizing, directing, and monitoring; project and corporate organizations; duties and responsibilities; the project plan; schedule, cost, earned- value and situation analysis; leadership; team building; conflict management; meetings, presentations, and proposals. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6070 Electrical Power Systems: AC power grids, transmission line parameters, load flow, economic dispatch voltage, frequency, and power flow control. Voltage, current, and power limitations. Fault analysis and stability considerations. Effect of independent power producers and variable energy sources and energy storage.

ECE 6610 Electrical Energy Conversion: Three-phase and single-phase AC rotating machines and transformers, DC machines, rotating machines as circuit elements, power semiconductor converters. Renewable generation, utility grid integration, smart grid applications. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6662 Power Electronics: The application of electronics to energy conversion. Principles of operation, analysis, and control of circuits including solid-state electronic switches. Methods of solving power electronic circuits and finding the steady-state values of important quantities. Deriving the linear model of the studied power electronic circuits and designing controllers for these devices. A general knowledge of electric circuits and linear control theory is required. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6669 Smart Power Grids: Overview of probability theory. Overview of basic power market reliability modeling and evaluation. Generation supply reliability techniques, modeling and evaluation. Reliability of transmission system and delivery of supply. Loss of load probability evaluation. Forced and maintenance outages and impact on system reliability. Load forecasting and probability of interconnected systems. Risk evaluation in power system operation. Operating reserve techniques and indices. Distribution system reliability including substations. Composite system reliability modeling. Reliability worth and value. (3 credit hours)

Academic Calendar

Our classes meet one night a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays) for nine weeks from 6:30 to 9:50 PM Eastern time. Students enroll in four 9-week sessions. There is also an optional fifth summer session (classes meet twice a week for four and half weeks). Students may begin their studies in any of the five sessions. Please see below for the dates of our upcoming sessions.

Session	Dates	Application Deadlines
Spring-1 2025	week of 1/6/25 – week of 3/3/25	12/1/2024
Spring-2 2025	week of 3/10/25 – week of 5/5/25	2/14/2025
Summer 2025	week of 5/27/25 – week of 6/23/25	5/1/2025
Fall-1 2025	week of 8/11/25 – week of 10/6/25	7/28/2025
Fall-2 2025	week of 10/13/25 – week of 12/8/25	9/29/2025

The course order is determined by advisors based on student progress toward completion of the curriculum. Course details will be provided to students via email approximately one month prior to the start of classes.

Tuition

Tuition is $1,200 per credit hour for the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition is billed at the beginning of each semester for the courses registered during that semester. A non-refundable tuition deposit of $495 is required when the applicant accepts admission. This deposit is applied to tuition and due the first semester.  Our online graduate degree programs in engineering require no additional fees. We provide eBooks and software at no additional cost. We also urge student veterans, dependents, and military personnel to inquire about military benefits to our program.

Admissions Process

Review the Admissions Requirements 

Ideal candidates for the programs will meet the following requirements:

• Hold a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher.
  • Applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA may also apply. Upon a holistic review of application materials, a conditional acceptance may be given to applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA.
• If you’re applying from outside the U.S., please see international student admissions information for additional requirements.

​​​​​​Note: GW considers a candidate’s entire background when reaching an admissions decision. Applicants who do not meet all the requirements may still be eligible for admission. Their records will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Apply for Admission and Submit Supporting Documents

Apply for Admission
 There is no application fee for any GW online engineering program. 

Complete application packets include:

• Resume or C.V.: Upload your up-to-date resume or C.V.
• Statement of Purpose:  In an essay of 250 words or less, describe your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also, discuss any other related qualifications not already mentioned, such as collegiate, professional, or community activities.
• Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all institutions where a degree was earned. Transcripts should be sent to [email protected] (if sent electronically), or via mail to:
  Online Engineering Programs
  The George Washington University
  170 Newport Center Drive
  Suite 260
  Newport Beach, CA 92660
• Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) letters of recommendation are required, and one must be from a professional reference. Begin this process by filling out this letter of recommendation form. Within this form you will share the email address of the individual providing your recommendation. Once you complete your required section, Formstack will send that individual a link to the letter of recommendation form. A letter of recommendation is only considered official when it is sent directly from the individual providing the recommendation through Formstack. Submissions directly from applicants will not be accepted.
• GRE Scores: GRE scores are not required but if available, should be submitted to enhance your application.

Remain Engaged in the Admissions Process

You will receive emails from us updating you as your application goes through the admissions process.

View a previously recorded info-session