Graduate: Admission

Departmental Academic Requirements

Master of Science
The applicant is required to have a B.S. in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science with a grade-point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0), or equivalent, for the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate work and be adequately prepared in the basic physical sciences and in mathematics. Students with a B.S. in another field and with a basic knowledge of (a) mathematics and (b) electrical engineering, computer engineering or computer science may be admitted, with a set of deficiency courses to be determined by the student's advisor.

Students who otherwise qualify for admission but lack some or all of the specific course requirements in the chosen area of focus, may be admitted to graduate study. The student must remedy the deficiency at the earliest opportunity by taking the given undergraduate courses, without graduate credit, and passing them with some distinction (generally, at least a B).

If an application for admission is rejected, a reconsideration may be requested. The request for reconsideration should be submitted to the Department of electrical and computer engineering together with supporting documentation which addresses the cause of rejection.

If the student is assigned specific deficiency courses at the time of admission, but has, in fact, sufficient experience (perhaps in industry) in the specific fields, the academic advisor may waive any or all of these courses. A specific form is available for this purpose in the department.

English Language Requirements
The following additional requirements pertain to all applicants whose native language is not English and who are not citizens of countries where English is an official language.

To be considered for admission, scores must be submitted from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Exceptions may be made for applicants who hold a degree from a university located in a country in which English is the official language and also the language of instruction at the university. The minimum score for admission consideration is 550 on the TOEFL paper exam, 213 on the TOEFL computer exam, or an overall band score of 6.0 on the academic IELTS, with no individual band score below 5.0. Higher minimums are required by some schools and programs; check the appropriate School Information section for details.
All applicants for graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs) must submit official scores from the TOEFL or academic IELTS. The minimum scores required to be considered for a GTA are: 600 on the paper TOEFL test; 250 on the computer TOEFL test; or an overall band score of 7.0 on the academic IELTS, with no individual band score below 6.0.
Admitted applicants will be required to take the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) placement test at The George Washington University before registering for classes. Those who score 600 on the paper TOEFL test, 250 on the computer TOEFL test or receive an overall band score of 7.0 on the academic IELTS (with no individual band score below 6.0) are exempted from taking the placement test. Depending on the test results, you may be restricted in the number of courses that can be taken in addition to EFL courses. Students assigned EFL courses should anticipate additional tuition expenses as well as a possible extended period of time required to complete their degree programs. GW does not offer a full-time, intensive English language program.
TOEFL and IELTS scores may not be more than two years old.

For application material and other general admissions information go to the GWU graduate site and to the GWU's graduate studies site.

Doctor of Science
Admission to the graduate program leading to the degree of Doctor of Science requires an earned baccalaureate or master's degree in an appropriate area from an accredited institution. Further, an applicant must submit at least two letters of reference from qualified individuals. Students whose highest degree is a baccalaureate must present a grade-point average of at least 3.3 (on a scale of 0-4); students whose highest earned degree is a master's degree must present a grade-point average of at least 3.4 (on a scale of 0-4) based upon graduate course work leading to the master's degree. Applicants must provide GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores.

Students who otherwise qualify for admission but lack some or all of the specific course requirements in the chosen area of focus may be admitted conditionally to graduate study. Students must then remedy the deficiency at the earliest opportunity by taking the appropriate undergraduate courses, without graduate credit, and passing them with at least a B. If the deficiency courses exceed six credit hours, the student will not be enrolled with graduate standing but may be enrolled as an unclassified student and must devote full-time study toward satisfaction of the deficiency. Upon completion of the deficiency courses, the student will normally be admitted to graduate study.
If an application for admission is rejected, reconsideration may be requested. The request for reconsideration should be submitted to the ECE department together with supporting documentation which addresses the reasons given for rejection.

If the student is assigned specific deficiency courses at the time of admission, but believes he/she has, in fact, sufficient experience (perhaps in industry) in the specific fields, the academic advisor may waive any or all of these courses. A specific waiver form must be completed by the advisor for this purpose.

To be considered for admission, scores must be submitted from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Exceptions may be made for applicants who hold a degree from a university located in a country in which English is the official language and also the language of instruction at the university. The minimum score for admission consideration is 550 on the TOEFL paper exam, 213 on the TOEFL computer exam, or an overall band score of 6.0 on the academic IELTS, with no individual band score below 5.0. Higher minimums are required by some schools and programs; check the appropriate School Information section for details.
All applicants for graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs) must submit official scores from the TOEFL or academic IELTS. The minimum scores required to be considered for a GTA are: 600 on the paper TOEFL test; 250 on the computer TOEFL test; or an overall band score of 7.0 on the academic IELTS, with no individual band score below 6.0.
Admitted applicants will be required to take the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) placement test at The George Washington University before registering for classes. Those who score 600 on the paper TOEFL test, 250 on the computer TOEFL test or receive an overall band score of 7.0 on the academic IELTS (with no individual band score below 6.0) are exempted from taking the placement test. Depending on the test results, you may be restricted in the number of courses that can be taken in addition to EFL courses. Students assigned EFL courses should anticipate additional tuition expenses as well as a possible extended period of time required to complete their degree programs. GW does not offer a full-time, intensive English language program.
TOEFL and IELTS scores may not be more than two years old.

For application material and other general admissions information go to the SEAS admissions site and to GWU's graduate studies site.

Certificate Program
The Graduate Certificate Program will admit applicants on an open enrollment basis. Applicants are required to submit all relevant transcripts and a graduate applications. Applicants should indicate their choice of Certificate Program, with the program code of 353 on the Graduate Admissions Application.

Professional Engineer
Admission to study toward the professional degree requires an master's degree in an in an area of engineering from a recognized institution and two years of professional experience after receiving the master's degree.

Applicants who have an equivalent quantitative background may be considered as special cases by the respective departments.

Normally, a B average in graduate work is required, although the departments often set higher admission standards. An applicant who has significant deficiencies in preparation may be required to take prescribed prerequisite courses, which do not count toward any part of the requirements for the professional degree.

Application Process
To apply for graduate study on-line or request a paper application or other information, go to: graduate information

NOTE: Please do not send email to the webmaster or to the ECE department requesting an admissions packet or inquiring about admission's status. Follow the above link to request such information.

Financial Assistance
GWU provides with a range of financial aid programs.

International Students
Special information for international students is described in this SEAS site and the International Services Office.

Student services
Take a look at the Graduate student services webpage for information about academics, housing, campus resources, and a lot more.

For Graduate Admissions and inquiries contact ecegrad@gwu.edu