Online MS, PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Online ECE Degrees for Advanced Practice and Research

From electric vehicles and advanced power systems to robotics, embedded computing, and artificial intelligence, electrical and computer engineering drives technologies that are reshaping industries and everyday life. As these technologies become more sophisticated and interconnected, engineers with advanced knowledge are essential to developing new solutions and addressing increasingly complex challenges.

Michigan Tech offers two online graduate pathways in electrical and computer engineering: a MS and a PhD. The coursework-based MS emphasizes advanced technical knowledge and its practical applications whereas the research-intensive PhD focuses on original investigation and contributions to the field. Both provide opportunities to pursue advanced engineering education while continuing your professional career.

Who Are These Online ECE Degrees For?

Online MS: The Online MS in ECE is well suited to engineers and technical professionals who want to deepen their expertise in electrical or computer engineering, broaden their knowledge across related disciplines, tailor coursework to their professional interests, and prepare for advanced technical or leadership roles without pursuing a research-intensive PhD.

Online PhD: The online PhD in ECE is designed for professionals who want to advance original research, develop new engineering methods and technologies, and address complex interdisciplinary challenges. It is particularly well suited to those pursuing research leadership in industry, government, or national laboratories, as well as those seeking careers in university teaching and scholarship.

How the Programs Work

The coursework-based MS helps you deepen your technical knowledge, expand your capabilities, and advance professionally. The research-intensive PhD prepares you to investigate complex engineering problems and contribute original knowledge to the field.

Pathway 1: Online MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering

This 30-credit, coursework-based degree does not require specific courses or a thesis. Instead of following a single prescribed curriculum, you'll work with an advisor to select courses to create a customizable degree.

Breakdown of Courses in the MS in ECE Degree.

At least 18 credits of advisor-approved 5000 level or higher in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics.
Up to 12 credits of advisor-approved 4000 level courses.
Up to 12 credits from outside the ECE Department. These credits must be approved by the program director.
Optional graduate certificates or focused course clusters that align with career goals

Examples of Customizable Interdisciplinary MS Degrees

Power Systems, Sustainability, and Public Policy

This focus area is ideal for those who want to understand both the technical and policy dimensions of modern power systems.

You might combine the online Advanced Electric Power Engineering Certificate with the online Public Policy Certificate while also taking electives on sustainability, resilience, and renewable energy.

Possible sub-focus areas include:

Power system modeling, protection, distribution, dynamics, and stability
Sustainability and resilience
Wind power and renewable energy integration
Public policy, public management, and the policy process

Best fit for power engineers, utility professionals, transmission and distribution specialists, energy analysts, and professionals working at the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and policy.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Automotive Systems

This focus area is built around hybrid electric vehicle drive systems, power electronics, propulsion systems, electric machinery, batteries, automotive systems, and controls. You'll earn the online Hybrid Electric Drive Vehicle Certificate along the way.

Possible sub-focus areas include:

Power electronics
Hybrid electric vehicle propulsion systems
Electric machinery and drives
Vehicle batteries and energy storage
Automotive systems and control systems

Best fit for automotive engineers, controls engineers, hybrid electric vehicle engineers, propulsion engineers, power electronics specialists, and technical professionals supporting electrification.

Software-Defined Vehicles and Robust Embedded Software

In this customizable degree, you'll combine ECE coursework with the Robust Embedded Software Graduate Certificate from Michigan Tech’s Department of Computer Science. You'll strengthen your ability to design, test, verify, and improve embedded software systems used in vehicles, robotics, power systems, aerospace, manufacturing, and other high-reliability environments.

Possible focus areas include:

Microcontroller architecture and firmware
Hardware abstraction layers
Real-time operating systems
Model-driven development and verification
Embedded software testing and quality assurance
Hardware-in-the-loop testing, code coverage, scheduling, and trace analysis

Best fit for embedded software engineers, computer engineers, systems engineers, automotive software professionals, robotics engineers, and professionals working in safety-critical or software-defined environments.

Pathway 2: Online PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Online PhD applicants must have previously completed a master's degree in electrical and computer engineering or in a related discipline approved by the graduate program director. You'll work closely with a faculty research advisor to develop an individualized program combining advanced coursework, independent research, doctoral examinations, and a dissertation.

The Online PhD at a Glance

Adobe Stock Image of engineers standing around and looking at a giant electric battery

Visit the Department's MS and ECE Page

The online PhD in ECE is a 30-credit, post-master's program consisting of

9–12 credits of advanced coursework.
At least 9 credits of 5000- or 6000-level EE courses.
Up to 3 credits of approved graduate coursework outside the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
18–21 credits of doctoral research.
Advanced responsible-conduct-of-research training.
The PhD Process: A qualifying examination, research proposal examination, an original doctoral dissertation, and a final oral defense.

Possible Interdisciplinary Research Areas

The PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering reflects the increasing convergence of electrical engineering, computer engineering, computing, and the physical sciences. Research areas include the following:

Artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous navigation.
Embedded systems, sensing, and networking.
Signal and image processing.
Communications systems.
Power generation, transmission, and distribution.
Power-system protection and operations.
Renewable energy and microgrids.
Power-grid and industrial-control-system cybersecurity.
Quantum optics and quantum computing.
Nanoelectronic devices and electronic manufacturing.
Electromagnetics, optics, and photonics.

Important note: Available research opportunities depend on faculty expertise, advising capacity, and alignment between the student's interests and an appropriate doctoral research project. But MTU is here to help. That is, after you apply, you will be invited to an online student / advisor event where your research interests are matched with those of a Faculty member.

Explore ECE Research

Why Choose Michigan Tech?

Keeping the electric grid stable as renewable energy expands. Protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Making connected vehicles communicate more reliably. These are just some of the challenges being investigated by faculty in Michigan Tech's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The ECE department's research spans power systems, communications, embedded computing, signal processing, and emerging technologies. It also crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries, connecting engineering with computing, physics, and other fields.

Where You'll Apply Your Knowledge and Skills

Electrical and computer engineering expertise is essential across industries developing more intelligent, connected, efficient, and reliable technologies. With advanced knowledge in ECE, you can contribute to fields such as:

Power and Energy: Modernize electrical grids, integrate renewable energy, and strengthen critical infrastructure.
Automotive and Aerospace Engineering:Advance vehicle electrification, propulsion systems, embedded computing, and autonomous technologies.
Computing and Cybersecurity:Develop secure computing systems, embedded software, and intelligent technologies.
Manufacturing and Robotics: Improve industrial automation, control systems, and advanced manufacturing processes.
Communications and Electronics: Design and develop telecommunications systems, signal-processing technologies, and advanced electronic devices.

For doctoral graduates, additional opportunities include leading research and development initiatives, conducting original investigations, and advancing engineering knowledge in industry, government laboratories, and higher education.

Get Started on Your Online ECE Degree.

Access career opportunities, leadership roles, and a better salary with your online engineering and computing degree. Take the next step on your educational journey at Michigan Tech. We are here to answer your questions and to help you succeed in your online program. Reach out when you're ready. Or begin our free and fast online graduate application.