Student Info > Professional Masters Program in Electrical Engineering
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average course load and when are courses offered?
How long does it take to complete the PMP?
Is there a similar program that's offered during the day?
Is the PMP the same as the daytime masters program?
I am a State of Washington employee. Am I eligible to use the tuition exemption benefit for the PMP?
What is the best undergraduate major to have if I want to apply to the PMP?
When is the application deadline?
I am an international applicant. Do I have to submit TOEFL scores?
Do you accept transfer credits?
Do you offer information sessions for prospective applicants?
How can I get more information?
What is the average course load and when are courses offered?
Typical quarterly enrollment for PMP students includes one 4-credit class and 1-credit of Seminar (EE 500), for a total of 5 credits during any given quarter. Courses in the PMP are scheduled in the evening (usually beginning around 6pm and ending around 9pm), and designed so that students generally need come to campus only once per week. A minimum of 45 credits are required to earn the MSEE.
How long does it take to complete the PMP?
The PMP is designed to allow students to earn the MSEE in 9 quarters (which equates to 3 years, excluding Summer quarter). Summer quarter enrollment is optional but will allow students to complete the program in less than 3 full calendar years. The program requires 45 credits for degree completion (of which 9 credits are earned cumulatively as part of a quarterly Seminar series).
Is there a similar program that's offered during the day?
Yes. The Department of Electrical Engineering offers a traditional daytime masters program. Both the PMP and the daytime program lead to the same degree (MSEE).
Is the PMP the same as the daytime masters program?
Both program options require a minimum of 45 credits and lead to earning the MSEE, but are structured differently. The PMP offers courses in the evening to accommodate the schedules of working professionals, whereas the daytime program follows a more traditional weekday schedule. The same UWEE faculty teach the courses in both program options. The PMP has a coursework-only structure (designed around 5 subject areas), while the daytime program offers a thesis option, a project option, and a coursework-only option.
How much does the PMP cost?
The PMP is a self-sustaining fee-based program and tuition is charged on a per-credit basis. PMP tuition for the 2008-2009 academic year is $650/credit. Based on these rates, the total cost of the program comes to approximately $29,000. Tuition rates may change slightly, and are provided solely for planning purposes for prospective students.
I am a State of Washington employee. Am I eligible to use the tuition exemption benefit for the PMP?
No. Students in all fee-based programs, including the PMP, are ineligible for the State employee tuition exemption program, as well as institutional tuition waivers.
What is the best undergraduate major to have if I want to apply to the PMP?
Applicants should have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in an engineering or science discipline.
When is the application deadline?
Admission is for Autumn quarter, with a July 1st priority application deadline. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
Is it better to apply early?
Review of applications begins after the priority deadline. Your application will not be officially reviewed before that time, but applying early is encouraged in order to ensure that all of your application materials have been received by the deadline.
Is the GRE required?
No. The GRE is not required to apply to the PMP.
I am an international applicant. Do I have to submit TOEFL scores?
The UW Graduate School requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report from international applicants and non-U.S. citizen applicants whose native language is not English. TOEFL score reports must be no more than 2 years old. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are exempt from the TOEFL requirement. Applicants who have received a degree from an accredited institution in the United States or one of the above-listed countries are also exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
Do you accept transfer credits?
The PMP follows the general requirements for graduate-level transfer credit as outlined by the Graduate School. In general, a maximum of 6-quarter-credits (at the graduate level) may be requested to be transferred from another institution assuming they were not used to satisfy requirements for another degree. Requests for transfer credit are only considered after being admitted into the PMP.
Do you offer information sessions for prospective applicants?
Yes. We offer information sessions throughout the year. Refer to the PMP homepage for details of upcoming information sessions. You may also contact the PMP Advising Office at 206-616-1351 for a schedule of upcoming information sessions.
How can I get more information?
We encourage you to learn more about the Professional Masters Program. For additional information please contact DJ Miller at mrmiller@u.washington.edu, or call the PMP Advising Office at 206-616-1351. You may also join our mailing list to receive updates on information sessions, deadlines, and other program activities.
