Graduate Application Requirements

Master of Science Degree (MS) Program

To be considered for admission into the master’s degree program, applicants must provide:

Although the program does not stipulate a minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement, applicants with any inconsistencies or concerns in their academic records should address these in their personal statement. Additionally, they should ensure that their recommendation letters provide compelling evidence of their capability to succeed in the demanding environment of the Rutgers ECE MS program.

Moreover, while the program welcomes applicants from related fields such as Physics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, and other non-ECE Engineering and Technology disciplines, it is essential that application materials demonstrate the applicant’s readiness and competence for the rigor of the program. 

• A bachelor’s degree in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering or a similar program, accompanied by relevant transcripts.
• A personal statement.
• A curriculum vitae.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• TOEFL or IELTS scores for foreign applicants whose primary language is not English.

Doctoral Degree (PhD) Program

To be considered for admission into the doctoral degree program, applicants must provide:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering or a comparable program, accompanied by relevant transcripts.
• A statement of purpose detailing the applicant’s research interests, aspirations, and motivation for pursuing a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rutgers University. This should include past research experiences, key achievements, methodologies employed, and how these experiences align with their future research ambitions. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to discuss any faculty members at Rutgers ECE with whom they are interested in working and how their research areas converge.
• A curriculum vitae highlighting research experiences, publications, and other relevant achievements.
• Three or more letters of recommendation, with at least one coming from a faculty member or research advisor familiar with the applicant’s research capabilities. Evidence of potential for original research contributions can be demonstrated through these letters.
• TOEFL or IELTS scores for foreign applicants whose primary language is not English.

Applicants who may have inconsistencies in their academic record due to extenuating circumstances, such as severe personal or financial hardships or forced displacement, are still encouraged to apply. They should detail these situations in their personal statement and provide evidence, ideally through their letters of recommendation, of their capacity to excel in the demanding environment of the Rutgers ECE PhD program. Candidates with bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees from closely related areas such as Physics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, and other non-ECE Engineering and Technology disciplines are eligible. Their application materials should underscore their aptitude and readiness for high-level research and rigorous coursework in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Students who have completed the MS degree requirements at Rutgers and wish to continue for the PhD must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and submit a change of status form to the ECE Graduate Program Office (ECEGradProgram@soe.rutgers.edu) for approval. 

Bachelor of Science/Master of Science (BS/MS) Degree Combined Program

The Rutgers combined BS/MS program offers a streamlined pathway for current undergraduate students to achieve an accelerated MS degree. Compared to external graduate school applications, the transition to the Rutgers ECE Graduate Program is significantly simplified for those already pursuing their bachelor’s in the department. These students benefit from waived admission application fees, no need for a personal statement, and potential exemptions from obtaining recommendation letters based on their GPA. The BS/MS graduate application process comprises three steps: 

Basic Application: All candidates must complete the first three sections of the Graduate Admissions Application available at https://rutgers.force.com/ApplicantPortal/AppPortalCustom. They should not submit the application directly through the portal. Instead, save their submission as a PDF.

Submission of Application, Transcripts, and Intended Specialization Area: Applicants should email a copy of their electronic transcripts, the saved PDF application, and at least one specialization area of graduate study to the ECE Graduate Program Coordinator at ECEGradProgram@soe.rutgers.edu.

Letters of Recommendation:

• Students with a GPA > 3.7 can qualify for Teaching Assistant (TA) / Graduate Assistant (GA) / Fellowship support by securing two (2) recommendation letters. Letter writers should directly send these recommendations to the ECE Graduate Program at ECEGradProgram@soe.rutgers.edu.
• Those with a GPA between 3.2 and 3.7 do not require recommendation letters but won’t be eligible for TA/GA support.
• Students boasting a GPA between 3.0 and 3.2 must obtain one (1) strong recommendation from a Rutgers faculty member. This recommendation should be sent directly to the ECE Graduate Program Coordinator at the aforementioned email.
• Candidates with a GPA between 2.8 and 3.0 need two (2) robust recommendations from Rutgers faculty, again directed to the ECE Graduate Program Coordinator.
• A GPA below 2.8 significantly diminishes the likelihood of MS program admission.  

Important Dates

• Mid-November of the senior year marks the commencement of the application process.
• Admission decisions are initially made by the end of December.
• Continuous reviews based on achieved grades span from January through August

Certificate Programs

• A bachelor’s degree in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering or a similar program, accompanied by relevant transcripts
• A personal statement 
• A curriculum vitae
• One letter of recommendation 
• TOEFL or IELTS scores for foreign applicants whose primary language is not English

More information about Admissions Requirements including areas to highlight in your personal statement and curriculum vitae can be found in the ECE Graduate Handbook/Admissions Requirements.

GRE is no longer a requirement for admission into the ECE Graduate Program.

Non-Degree Students

U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents with the requisite qualifications can seek admission to the ECE Graduate Program as non-matriculated (non-degree) students. These applicants must have academic credentials comparable to those required for regular admission and should provide relevant transcripts as evidence.

After successfully completing 12 graduate credits with a minimum grade of B in each, non-degree students may apply to transition to matriculated (degree) status. Importantly, a maximum of 12 credits can be undertaken as a non-degree student.

The admission criteria for non-matriculated students transitioning to regular degree programs align with those for standard degree students. For further details and clarifications, prospective students can reach out to the ECE Graduate Program Coordinator.