Electrical Engineering (Ph.D.)

Electrical Engineering (Ph.D.) | Graduate

From the latest smartphone technology, autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence to smart cities — electrical engineering powers it all. Our program is designed for students who desire a broad foundation of engineering knowledge. Our doctoral students participate in high-impact research to solve complex engineering problems.

The Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Howard's Graduate School is designed for students who desire a broad foundation of engineering knowledge and want to participate in high-impact research to solve complex engineering problems. Our program welcomes applicants with a background in electrical, computer science, mathematics, or engineering science-related fields. Our graduates work in leading-edge businesses in a variety of technology sectors. Others land postdoctoral positions, tenure-track faculty appointments, or senior-level research positions in government. You may choose from four distinct areas of specialization in applied and computational electromagnetics, communications and signal processing, power systems and control engineering, and material science and solid-state electronics. Research activities in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering are supported by three interdisciplinary research centers and two world-class research laboratories. As a student in Washington, D.C., you'll have access to a robust high-tech research community and opportunities to collaborate with industry and government agencies on research. In addition, you'll enjoy a highly collegial atmosphere and work closely with a faculty research advisor committed to your professional development. Our graduate faculty is also notable for its wide-ranging expertise and serve as referees for related scientific journals and consultants to governmental, private, and public sector agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Microsoft Corporation, and Intel Corporation.

Program Snapshot

      ❱  72 credit hours
      ❱  Full-time
      ❱  On-campus format
      ❱  Degree: Ph.D.

Application Deadlines

Spring 2025 entry: 
      ❱  Nov. 15, 2024 (final deadline)

Fall 2025 entry: 
      ❱  Dec. 1, 2024 (early deadline)
      ❱  Feb. 15, 2025 (priority deadline)
      ❱  Apr. 15, 2025 (final deadline)

Applicants should submit their applications as early as possible for earlier consideration of departmental funding opportunities. Applicants have until the final deadline to apply. However, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. 

• Degree Classification: Graduate
• Related Degrees: Ph.D.

Application for Admission

• Online EngineeringCAS application 
• Statement of purpose / Statement of academic interest (500-1,000 words)
• GRE scores not required
• Official transcripts sent to EngineeringCAS
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent 
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae 
• Autobiographical statement (500-750 words)

GRE Required?

• No 

GRE Preferred Minimums    

• GRE Verbal Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Analytical Writing: N/A

GPA Required Minimums    

• Overall GPA minimum: 3.0
• Undergrad GPA minimum: 3.0

Prerequisite Courses 

The following course prerequisites are recommended, not required. No expiration date for recommended prerequisites. A grade of at least a B is recommended for each of the following courses:

• Fundamentals of Circuits or equivalent course (4 semester credit hrs)
• Fundamentals of Electronics or equivalent course (4 semester credit hrs)
• Fundamentals of Signals or equivalent course (4 semester credit hrs)
• Fundamentals of Electromagnetics or equivalent course (4 semester credit hrs)
• Fundamentals of Digital Systems or equivalent course (4 semester credit hrs)

Reference Requirements    

Evaluator type accepted:

• Professor (Required)
• Supervisor/Manager
• Coworker

Evaluator type not accepted:

• Friend
• Family Member
• Clergy
• Other