Professional Master’s Program

Is this the right program for me?

The Electrical & Computer Engineering PMP offers a work-compatible Master’s degree and courses taught by Electrical & Computer Engineering faculty and industry lecturers who are leaders in their field. Our faculty’s cutting edge research and our lecturers’ industry expertise informs their teaching, allowing you to bring the latest ideas to bear in your career. The MSEE degree isn’t just for people who want to practice electrical and computer engineering, but is valuable for:

• Patent attorneys seeking technical depth in industry-relevant topics
• Managers supervising technical employees
• Control systems engineers
• Software engineers seeking more depth in sensing, signal processing, and controls
• Financial engineers / Computational finance professionals

The program is also a great fit for full-time students who seek to gain in-demand technical skills and a valuable MSEE credential before launching their careers in the industry. The PMP accepts F1 international students and provides the same CPT and OPT opportunities as our traditional daytime master’s program.

What is the difference between the traditional Master’s program and the PMP?

Both programs lead to the MSEE, but are structured differently in that the PMP has an industry-focused orientation, whereas the traditional Master’s program has a research-focused orientation. The PMP is designed to accommodate both working professionals and full-time students who have a long-term goal of working in the field professionally.

The PMP offers courses only in the evening to accommodate the schedules of working professionals and full-time students interested in pursuing internship opportunities during the day, whereas the daytime program follows a more traditional weekday schedule. The same UW ECE faculty teach courses in both program options. The PMP has a coursework-only structure, while the daytime program offers both a coursework and a thesis option.

If I enroll in the PMP, can I later transfer to the daytime Master’s program?

Students wishing to transfer from one program to another must formally apply to the program of their choice via the standard admissions process.

I want to get a PhD. Is this the right program for me?

Research is a critical component in PhD admissions, so our coursework-only program is not the best fit for students who want to pursue further graduate study in a PhD program. Our program is designed to prepare students for positions in industry. Although uncommon, some PMP students have gone on to PhD programs after obtaining research experience through EE P 599 (independent study/ research) credits. 

Can I do this program on a part-time basis or on evenings?

Yes. The PMP is designed both for part-time working professionals, and students interested in taking full-time courses in the evening. Part-time study is considered less than 10 credits per quarter, and full-time study is considered 10 credits or more per quarter. Note that international students on F1 visa are required to study full-time (10 or more credits per quarter).

All classes are held during weekday evenings starting at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the University of Washington campus in Seattle.

Although some of our courses provide various degrees of flexibility with remote attendance, our program is offered only in person in Seattle.

The PMP generally takes 1.5 (full-time) to 3 years (part-time) to complete.

Yes. The PMP allows a maximum of one graduate level course to be transferred and applied toward the MSEE assuming the course credits were not used to satisfy requirements for another degree. The transfer coursework needs to be applicable to the PMP, and must be approved by the PMP director.

No, there are no official concentrations. The degree requirements are designed to provide flexibility and students are free to choose coursework that best align with their interests and career goals. Please visit the Courses page to view the coursework that we offer in the program.

EE P 502 Analytical Methods in Electrical Engineering is highly recommended for students who have graduated more than two years ago or who come from non-ECE fields. However, it is not mandatory.

Yes, students not already in a full-time role can receive course credits for an internship experience through ENGR 601. For a full-time internship, students can utilize 2 credits of ENGR 601 towards their degree requirements. International students will be required to also apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to complete an internship in the US.

Although we’re a coursework based master’s without a thesis requirement, students can work with faculty through EE P 599 Independent Study/ Research credits. We allow up to 8 credits of EE P 599 to count towards degree requirements.

Yes, we allow students to utilize a maximum of 12 credits of non-PMP coursework towards their degree. Please keep in mind that not all courses are open for non-major enrollment and some will require add codes, special permission from the instructor, or review of work experience. Current students, please view additional guidelines on the PMP Student Resource Center on Canvas. 

I applied in Cycle 2 or 3. Could you expedite my decision for visa processing purposes or to meet decision deadlines at other institutions?

Unfortunately due to a high volume of applications, we can’t expedite individual reviews. If you’re an international student, please apply in Cycle 1 (international student priority deadline) to ensure sufficient time for I-20 and visa processing. 

Can I change my materials after I've submitted the application?

No, due the volume of applications, we’re unable to make changes or add to your application materials after they have been submitted.

Is work experience required?

Full-time work experience isn’t a requirement. However, to be a competitive applicant, having industry experience (through full-time or internship work) is highly recommended.

Can I defer my admission?

We allow a one-time deferral for up to a year. To do this, you’ll return to your application portal and accept the offer. The system will prompt you to submit a $250 enrollment confirmation deposit (ECD). Once you’ve completed both of these steps, send us an email and we’ll submit a request to the Graduate School to defer your admission. If you are a non-native English speaker, please note the Graduate School’s Policy 3.2.3 which states that English Language Proficiency test scores are valid for two years and must be valid on the date the program requests a deferral.

Do you accept international students?

Yes, the PMP is composed of around 50% international students on an F1 visa. 

What are the required English language proficiency test scores?

For non-native English speakers, UW accepts TOEFL, Duolingo, and IELTS test scores to demonstrate proficiency. You can view the minimum test scores on the Graduate School’s Policy 3.2.1. To be a competitive applicant, we highly suggest that you meet the “ELP Satisfied” recommended scores. 

My undergraduate education was in English; will this meet the English proficiency requirement?

Yes, though you may need to provide an official documentation noting that the medium of instruction was English. View more information on the Graduate School’s Policy 3.2.1.

Will I be eligible for OPT and CPT?

Yes, PMP students are eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Is the PMP considered a STEM program?

Yes, we are considered a STEM program, and our students are eligible to apply for an OPT extension.