Electrical Engineering, M.S.E.E.

This program affords an opportunity for engineers and others to advance their competency in analysis and design to better meet the high technology needs of industry. Each student selects two core courses and three graduate courses in one area of emphasis, and the remaining courses must augment and support the area of emphasis. Students will choose one of the two tracks: thesis, or comprehensive exam. Successful completion of a thesis provides an unifying culmination to the program, and an enhanced resume for future industrial or academic endeavor. A limited number of laboratory and teaching assistantships are available to qualified graduate students.

MSEE Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in electrical engineering or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited engineering, natural science or other appropriate program with the requirement that essential undergraduate deficiencies in electrical engineering are removed prior to Advancement to Candidacy.
To be considered for admission the prospective graduate student must have attained a GPA of at least 2.8 for the last 60 semester units (90 quarter units) attempted prior to entry in the MSEE program.

The student should apply online at Cal State Apply. Do not send an application to the Department. International students should apply online at Cal State Apply or through the Center for International Education.

MSEE Degree Requirements

Complete a minimum of 30 units in 400-, 500-, or 600-level courses (with no more than 6 units at the 400-level, excluding EE 405 and EE 490) as approved in advance by the graduate advisor.

Take the following two courses:

E E 508 - Probability Theory and Random Processes (3 units)
E E 511 - Linear Systems Analysis (3 units)

Select one of the following tracks:

1. Thesis Track:

500/600-level EE courses including core and four courses forming the area of emphasis (18 units);
E E 698 Thesis or Industrial Project (6 units);
400/500/600-level courses in EE as elective courses (6 units), excluding E E 405 (Special Topics) and E E 490 (Special Problems);
A maximum of two 400-level EE elective courses are accepted toward MSEE degree.
Oral Exam on Thesis.

2. Comprehensive Exam Track:

500/600-level EE courses including core and four courses forming area of emphasis (18 units);
400/500/600-level EE courses as elective courses (12 units), excluding E E 405 (Special Topics) and E E 490 (Special Problems);
A maximum of two 400-level EE elective courses are accepted toward MSEE degree.
Comprehensive Written Exam on the area-of-emphasis.

Academic Plan

Upon matriculation graduate students must consult with the graduate advisor and a tentative academic plan must be approved by the advisor by a few weeks into the first semester. Students should obtain the MSEE Handbook, which covers the procedures and requirements, from the advisor or Electrical Engineering Department office or Electrical Engineering web site.

Advancement to Candidacy

At least one semester before the graduating semester students must advance to candidacy. To apply for advancement to candidacy students must satisfy the following requirements:

Must have removed all deficiencies with a GPA of at least 3.0
Must be currently enrolled in a regular session
Must have completed at least 9 units as a graduate student in residence while maintaining both an overall GPA and a program GPA of at least 3.0.