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GRADUATE INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS
The deadline for fall semester admission applications is January 15th.
The Electrical & Computer Engineering Department is a prescreening department.
Carefully read and follow all instructions below.
Admission to Graduate Studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Utah
Admission is based on an evaluation of both an applicant’s academic profile and research potential. Before applying, you may wish to review our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
The Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering accepts international applications for fall semester only. All application materials must be received by the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department by January 15th for the following fall semester.
Questions regarding the graduate program should be sent to the Graduate Secretary.
Application Process
The Electrical & Computer Engineering Department has been designated as a prescreening department. A prescreening department requires its applicants to submit all application materials directly to their office for review BEFORE submission to the University of Utah Admissions Office. Therefore, only those who are accepted by the department have their files submitted to the University Admissions Office and pay the $65 University application fee.
All application materials must be sent directly to the ECE Department, including a $10 department application fee. DO NOT USE THE ONLINE APPLICATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH ADMISSIONS WEBSITE. Applicants who fail to comply with this procedure will not be considered and will not receive a refund of the University application fee.
Required Application Materials
Applicants for graduate study in the ECE Department must complete an online application and request official copies of transcripts and exam scores be sent directly to the department office to be received by the January 15th deadline. The following materials are required of ALL applicants, including those wishing to transfer into the program from another department at the University of Utah. The application materials which are to be mailed must be sent to the ECE Department at the address below.
Information you will need to complete the online form:
- Graduate degree you are applying for:
- Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering: This degree is available for those students who want to pursue an in-depth study of a variety of topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree, preferably in an engineering or a related field. Admission requirements include a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2.
- Master of Science in Electrical Engineering: This degree is research oriented and requires the writing of a Master's thesis. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree, preferably in an engineering or a related field. Admission requirements include a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2.
- PhD in Electrical Engineering: This degree requires the writing of a doctoral dissertation. Admission requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.5.
- Degree of Electrical Engineer: This is a non-thesis, doctoral-level professional degree. Admission requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.3.
- Click here for comparable percentile scores.
- Professors you are interested in working with and the areas of your research interests. Click here for information on ECE faculty members and their research interests.
- Education history, including names of institutions attended, dates of attendance, degrees earned/expected, dates degrees received/expected, and GPAs.
- Most recent GRE scores and test date. Only the General Examination is required. Applicants must score 730 or above in the Quantitative area; the Analytical area must be 700 or 3.5, depending upon the type of testing; and the Verbal area must be above 450. GRE Preparation Materials
- Most recent TOEFL scores and test date. Applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The minimum acceptable score is 600 in the paper-based testing scheme, 250 for the computer-based scheme, and 100 in the new Internet-based scheme. TOEFL Preparation Materials
- Personal goals statement. This should be a one- to two-page statement describing in depth the applicant's background, interests, and, in particular, the reasons for wanting to pursue graduate studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Utah.
- Contact information for three recommendation providers. The Electrical & Computer Engineering Department ONLY accepts letters of recommendation that are submitted by the recommenders through our online system. Recommendations should be from current or former professors who have knowledge of the applicant’s abilities through classwork and/or research. A recommendation from a professional supervisor is acceptable if the supervisor is from a field related to electrical and computer engineering and is qualified to judge the academic and technical capabilities and character of the applicant as well as the ability of the applicant to perform research. Letters for non-native English speakers should also evaluate the applicant's English skills.
- Credit card information for payment of the $10 department application fee. Alternatively, a check or money order may be sent to the address below after the online application is submitted; however, the application will not be complete until the $10 payment has been received.
Other required application materials:
- Grade Reports and Transcripts: Applicants must arrange to have two copies of their transcripts sent to the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department directly from the issuing schools to the address below. School records must be presented in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Translations must be literal and complete. ONLY if the institution will not send transcripts directly to other schools may the applicant send the two copies of the transcripts to our department, and each copy must be sent in a sealed envelope with the institution's stamp across the flaps.
- Official GRE score report: Examination scores must be sent to the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department by ETS and must be no more than five years old. Applicants must take the GRE exam early enough to allow their official score reports to arrive by the application deadline. The ETS codes are 4853 (institution) and 1203 (department).
- Official TOEFL score report: Applicants must have ETS report the score to the University. The ETS codes are 4853 (institution) and 66 (department). The score must not be over two years old at the time of application.
- DO NOT send hard copies of the statement of purpose, resume, etc. This information is contained in the online application.
BE AWARE THAT APPLICATIONS ARE REVIEWED ONLINE. ONLY THE TRANSCRIPTS ARE SCANNED IN AND ADDED TO THE ONLINE INFORMATION. THE GRE AND TOEFL SCORES ARE CHECKED AGAINST THE OFFICIAL SCORE REPORTS AND CONFIRMED ON THE ONLINE APPLICATION. DO NOT SEND OTHER INFORMATION BY MAIL; IT WILL BE DESTROYED.
All application materials must be sent to:
Graduate Secretary
University of Utah
Electrical & Computer Engineering Department
50 S. Central Campus Drive, Room 3280
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9206 USA
gradsecy@ece.utah.edu
801-581-6943
Please read instructions carefully before beginning the application process.
DO NOT contact the ECE Department for application status. After you have submitted your online application, you may log in to the ApplyYourself system to check on the status of your application. You must also keep current the email address you enter on your application since any correspondence we send to you will be through that email address.
When an admission decision has been made, applicants will receive an email stating that their decision letter is available online through the ApplyYourself system.
Proceed to Online Application
If You Are Accepted
Applicants will receive an email stating that their decision letter is available online through the ApplyYourself system. Those who are recommended for admission by the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department through the prescreening process will be given instructions in their decision letter on how to proceed.
Applicants must notify the department whether or not they will be attending the University of Utah. Those applicants who wish to accept the offer of admission will then be directed to download and complete the University of Utah Graduate Application. This application must be submitted along with the University application fee of $65. The applicant's application materials and fee will then be submitted to the University Admissions Office by the ECE Office. The Admissions Office sends formal notice of admission to the applicant by postal service.
Non-U.S. Citizens: International applicants who accept the offer of admission must also submit bank and sponsor statements to show proof of sufficient financial funds for their first year's expenses in order to be issued the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility. The affidavit of support can be found on the Admissions Office website at http://www.sa.utah.edu/admiss/appdownload/Affidavit.pdf. The I-20 Certificate of Eligibility is sent for approval to the Immigration and naturalization Service (INS) for approval. This can take up to three weeks or more. The INS will then notify the International Admissions Office of their decision, and if approved, the I-20 is issued and mailed to the student. Neither the International Admissions Office nor the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department will send the I-20 by courier or other express methods.
Master of Science vs. Master of Engineering: The Electrical & Computer Engineering Department does not admit students to the M.S. or Ph.D. programs without a research advisor and/or research project. Applicants who apply for the M.S. or Ph.D. programs may be considered for admission into the M.E. program since this degree can be earned by coursework only. The coursework for the M.E. degree can be completed in one year by students who take 15 hours per semester or take summer courses from allied fields.
Students can apply for transfer into the M.S. or Ph.D. program within the first two or three semesters if they are able to find a research thesis advisor. However, students are strongly encouraged to continue in the M.E. track and to complete the requirements as soon as possible. Master of Engineering students will be graduated in the semester in which 30 hours of coursework are completed. The Master of Engineering Handbook describes the requirements for the M.E. degree. Students who haven’t already studied the information on our website should take the time to do that now.
Planning Your Program: The URL http://www.ece.utah.edu/classes/ececourselist.html contains information about the courses we plan to teach during the Fall and Spring semesters of the current academic year. Develop a plan of study based on these offerings, keeping in mind that you must register for two semesters (four for Ph.D. candidates) of Graduate Seminar. Additional information on these courses can be found in the General Catalog.
Requirements for Admission from a Nonaccredited School or Non-ECE Major
A nonaccredited curriculum is generally not as complete in the mathematics area; therefore, it is required that applicants from nonaccredited schools fulfill the following two requirements. Applicants with a non-ECE degree are required to fulfill the following two requirements; depending on the major, applicants may have already fulfilled the math requirement.
- Complete the University of Utah ECE Department required undergraduate math courses, including:
| Math 1210 |
4.0 |
Calculus I |
| Math 1220 |
4.0 |
Calculus II |
| Math 2210 |
3.0 |
Calculus III |
| Math 2250* |
3.0 |
Ordinary Differential Equations & Linear Algebra |
| Math 3150 |
2.0 |
Partial Differential Equations for Engineering Students |
*A combination of Math 2270 and 2280 can be taken in place of Math 2250.
- Satisfy the prerequisite graduate requirements. Students must demonstrate proficiency in three basic areas: Circuits and Electronics and either Electromagnetic Fields or Systems. Proficiency may be demonstrated by any combination of the following:
- By completing, with a grade of B or better, a department class that covers the topic. Currently, the classes that satisfy each area are:
Circuits -- ECE 2270
Electronics -- ECE 2280 or 3110
Electromagnetic Fields -- ECE 3300
Systems --ECE 3500 or 3510
- By taking all of the regular exams (including the final) in one of the undergraduate classes listed above and completing the exams with an average grade of B or better.
- By completing an advanced course in the area and receiving a grade of B or better. These courses may be used toward fulfillment of the graduate degree requirements if approved by the student's supervisory committee. Advanced courses which qualify in each area are:
Circuits – ECE 5710 or 5720
Electronics – ECE 5201, 5202, 5710, or 5720
Electromagnetic Fields – ECE 5320, 5324, or 6310
Systems -- ECE 5510, 5520, or 5530
Frequently Asked Application Questions
Is there a GPA cutoff?
Yes, a minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate work is required by the University of Utah. Most students accepted into the graduate program have GPAs well above that level.
Is there a minimum percentile score?
Yes. Applicants from India should have a minimum percentile score of 80, and applicants from China should have a minimum percentile score somewhat higher.
Is the GRE required?
Yes, the GRE General Exam is required of all applicants. Applicants must score 730 or above in the Quantitative area; the Analytical area must be 700 or 3.5, depending upon the type of testing; and the Verbal area must be above 450.
Is there a TOEFL score cutoff?
Yes, the minimum acceptable score is 600 in the paper-based testing scheme, 250 for the computer-based scheme, and 100 in the new Internet-based scheme.
If my GPA and/or test scores are slightly below the cutoffs mentioned above, can you look at my record and tell me if I should apply?
No, we do not pre-evaluate records. After reading our application information, applicants must make their own decision about whether or not to apply. One of the advantages of being a prescreening department is that applicants who are not offered admission do not have to pay the University application fee and have only had to pay the $10 department application fee.
Can either the department or the university application fee be waived?
No. Applications which are submitted without the $10 department application fee will not be considered. Applicants who are offered admission and decide to attend the University of Utah must provide the $65 University application fee to be submitted with the application materials to the University of Utah Admissions Office. The application fees cannot be waived under any circumstances.
Will my application be considered if it is not complete?
No, no application will be considered by the ECE Graduate Committee unless the application file is complete. All application materials must be received in the ECE Department Office by the January 15th deadline.
Where can I get more information on the ECE Department?
Detailed information about the ECE Department, faculty's research interests, ongoing research projects, and recent technical papers are located at http://www.ece.utah.edu. Applicants should check the website regularly for updated information.
Do I have to contact a faculty member to support my admission?
No, applicants will be considered for assistantships based on the faculty member(s) and/or research interests indicated on the online application. Applicants may contact a research group website with coursework questions. Sending multiple emails to faculty asking for support before admission does not advance the process of their application or help in funding decisions.
What are you really looking for in an applicant?
We are looking for applicants with strong academic backgrounds who have demonstrated a potential to perform creative and innovative research in the research areas represented by the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department.
Can you provide information on previous admission levels?
No, this information is not available.
Whom should I contact if I have questions?
Lori Walk (gradsecy@ece.utah.edu), the Graduate Secretary.
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