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Dr. Doug Jacobson is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University. He joined the faculty after receiving his PhD degree in computer engineering from Iowa State University.
Dr. Jacobson is currently the director of the Iowa State University Information Assurance Center, which has been recognized by the National Security Agency as a charter Center of Academic Excellence for Information Assurance Education. He is also director of the NSF I/U CRC Center for Information Protection and the Internet-Scale Event and Attack Generation Environment (ISEAGE).
Dr. Jacobson is the founder of Palisade Systems, Inc., an Ames-based company marketing Internet management and security devices. He has received two R&D 100 awards for his security technology and two patents in the area of computer security. He has given over 50 presentations in the area of computer security and has testified before the U.S. Senate committee of the Judiciary on security issues associated with peer-to-peer networking.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What is something you wish the public understood about electrical engineering?
Dr. Jacobson: Most people think of power systems (electricity) when they think of EE. The fact is EE is everywhere. Basically, every powered device has likely been designed using elements of electrical engineering. EE is a critical discipline that enables computing devices to interact with the physical world.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What advice would you give to aspiring students in electrical engineering?
Dr. Jacobson: They should consider the applications of EE, and often the focus is on the components and individual subfields of study. Electrical engineering, like computer engineering, is frequently called an enabling discipline. Your work will be embedded in everything, which is what makes EE both fun and challenging. So explore the fringes, from placing sensors on plants, using various signals (microwave, sound, etc.) to help cure illness, and creating cleaner and safer transportation. EE is at the heart of these and other things yet to be imagined.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What does the future of the field look like to you?
Dr. Jacobson: The need for electrical engineers will not decrease. I do think we will continue to see a need for strong computer skills and the ability to understand systems that will rely on EE. With smart cities, self-driving cars, and clean energy, we will need electrical engineers who can work in large, technically diverse teams to solve big problems.
Many students may be attracted to the idea of pursuing an electrical degree online due to the possibility of earning their degree without ever coming on campus or only rarely having to do so. Also, while this is certainly convenient, aspiring students interested in online programs should consider several other factors before selecting the right program.
To begin with, prospective students may have limited access to professors. In some cases, particularly with recorded lectures and self-paced courses, professors may never be present. While in cases where programs include courses with scheduled start times, professors may indeed be present, but depending on the class size and how it is delivered, they may not be able to field questions as they arise.
In online programs, students may be asked to complete most of the coursework at their own pace, which provides maximum flexibility. But this flexibility can be a blessing as well as a curse; as students who have difficulty working without a strict routine, or with little oversight may struggle in online degree programs.
But for self-starters who are busy by day or employed, or who would have difficulty attending a physical campus, an online electrical engineering program may be an ideal option. Gainfully employed people, people who live in remote areas, parents of young children, and military personnel often find online degree programs to be the best fit.
Not surprisingly, the admissions criteria among electrical engineering (EE) programs vary by institution, degree desired, and other factors. That said, the process is similar for both on-campus and online schools and committees generally ask aspiring students to submit the following:
It’s worth noting that some schools offer an early admissions deadline in November and a regular admissions deadline the following December or January. Final decisions are typically mailed to students sometime between March and May, and a seat deposit is required shortly after the summer begins.
Additionally, some schools, such as Iowa State University, offer two start dates per year: one in August or September and one in late January. Generally, students pursuing an online degree must adhere to the same schedule as the rest of the on-campus pupils. Because specifics vary by institution, be sure to check school admissions pages for more information about requirements.
| School | City | State | Website | Undergrad | Graduate | Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh |
PA | www.cmu.edu | 633 | |||
Los Angeles |
CA | www.usc.edu | 574 | |||
Champaign |
IL | www.illinois.edu | 456 | |||
College Station |
TX | www.tamu.edu | 374 | |||
Raleigh |
NC | www.ncsu.edu | 340 | |||
West Lafayette |
IN | www.purdue.edu | 333 | |||
Stanford |
CA | www.stanford.edu | 310 | |||
Gainesville |
FL | www.ufl.edu/ | 297 | |||
New York |
NY | www.nyu.edu | 292 | |||
New York |
NY | www.columbia.edu | 261 | |||
Houghton |
MI | www.mtu.edu | 226 | |||
Arlington |
TX | www.uta.edu | 220 | |||
Chicago |
IL | web.iit.edu | 214 | |||
Newark |
NJ | www.njit.edu | 214 | |||
Rochester |
NY | www.rit.edu | 210 | |||
Ames |
IA | www.iastate.edu | 192 | |||
Madison |
WI | www.wisc.edu | 184 | |||
Boulder |
CO | www.colorado.edu | 171 | |||
Pullman |
WA | wsu.edu | 163 | |||
Worcester |
MA | www.wpi.edu | 158 | |||
Miami |
FL | www.fiu.edu | 154 | |||
Dearborn |
MI | umdearborn.edu | 150 | |||
Houston |
TX | www.uh.edu | 150 | |||
Rolla |
MO | www.mst.edu | 149 | |||
Hoboken |
NJ | www.stevens.edu | 141 | |||
Pittsburgh |
PA | www.pitt.edu | 134 | |||
Philadelphia |
PA | www.drexel.edu | 134 | |||
Clemson |
SC | www.clemson.edu | 132 | |||
Fort Collins |
CO | www.colostate.edu | 128 | |||
Salt Lake City |
UT | www.utah.edu | 117 | |||
Auburn |
AL | www.auburn.edu | 109 | |||
Stony Brook |
NY | www.stonybrook.edu | 99 | |||
Baltimore |
MD | www.morgan.edu | 92 | |||
Stillwater |
OK | www.okstate.edu | 89 | |||
Albuquerque |
NM | www.unm.edu | 83 | |||
Dallas |
T1 | www.smu.edu | 81 | |||
Scottsdale |
AZ | www.asu.edu | 79 | |||
Fayetteville |
AR | www.uark.edu | 78 | |||
Moscow |
ID | www.uidaho.edu | 75 | |||
Las Cruces |
NM | www.nmsu.edu | 75 | |||
Boca Raton |
FL | www.fau.edu | 73 | |||
Manhattan |
KS | www.k-state.edu | 66 | |||
Charlottesville |
VA | www.virginia.edu | 64 | |||
Monterey |
CA | www.nps.edu | 63 | |||
Mississippi State |
MS | www.msstate.edu | 62 | |||
Athens |
OH | www.ohio.edu | 57 | |||
Teaneck |
NJ | www.fdu.edu | 54 | |||
Grand Forks |
ND | und.edu | 48 | |||
Cheney |
WA | www.ewu.edu | 36 | |||
Springfield |
MA | www1.wne.edu | 27 | |||
Villanova |
PA | www.villanova.edu | 22 | |||
Laurel |
MD | www.captechu.edu | 22 | |||
Saint Cloud |
MN | www.stcloudstate.edu | 21 | |||
La Jolla |
CA | www.nu.edu | 15 | |||
Colorado Springs |
CO | www.coloradotech.edu | 10 | |||
Charles Town |
WV | www.apus.edu | 4 | |||
Chicago |
IL | www.devry.edu | 1 | |||
University Park |
PA | worldcampus.psu.edu | 1 |
Aspired students are encouraged to verify the institution's institutional and/or programmatic accreditation status before enrolling in an online electrical engineering program.
Accreditation verifies that a program or school has met baseline standards of quality in terms of its faculty, curricula, student outcomes, finances, and other measures. Graduating from an accredited program may be a prerequisite for certain certifications or to get admitted to more advanced degree programs.
For instance, the National Society of Professional Engineers awards professional licenses to only those engineers who have obtained a four-year degree from an accredited program. Of course, a professional license is not necessary to work as an engineer post-graduation; however, it is generally required to plan, prepare, sign and seal, and submit engineering plans and drawings to a public authority for approval, especially for government-funded projects.
For programmatic accreditation, the most prominent agency is the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET is known as the accrediting agency for engineering, computing, technology, and applied science degree programs in the United States. It comprises more than 30 member societies, one of which is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Prospective students should understand that accreditation is not a mandatory process; instead, schools must choose to undergo a voluntary peer review, scrutinizing the quality of the program. While ABET-accredited programs may be ideal, they focus mainly on bachelor’s level programs.
There are various other institutional accreditation agencies, which vary according to region. Above all, it’s important for a school or program to have achieved approval from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Some of these organizations include:
Finally, aspiring online students in electrical engineering are encouraged to verify a program’s state authorization status as well. Due to differing local legislation, a distance-based program based in one state may not be able to enroll students in other specific states. This information is typically available on program websites (e.g., University of Arizona) or can be requested from program coordinators.
All US states except for California participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) , which is a state-level voluntary compact for the provision of distance-based education. Prior to applying to any program, candidates are strongly encouraged to verify that they are eligible to enroll based on their state or country of residence.
The curriculum for online electrical engineering programs varies by institution, but some of the courses at the master’s degree level may include:
Other courses are covered in the detailed degree descriptions below. Also, many programs offer the opportunity to specialize in a subfield of the discipline, particularly for graduate-level degree programs. Some possible areas of focus include:
There are many accredited online electrical engineering degrees available from institutions throughout the country. Please note that due to the hands-on nature of electrical engineering fundamentals, a majority of the undergraduate programs in this field are offered on campus and the online programs are concentrated mainly at the graduate degree level. Here are 12 standout colleges with distance-based electrical engineering programs:
The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Whiting School of Engineering provides an online master of science (MS) in electrical and computer engineering in two concentrations: photonics or communications and networking. Additionally, there are seven focus area tracks offered, including signal processing, systems and control, RF and microwave engineering, computer engineering, communications and networking, electronics and the solid-state, and optics and photonics.
Johns Hopkins is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and recently added five new innovative labs. One of these, the Remote Laboratory, recently moved from the Dorsey Center to the Applied Physics Laboratory and focuses on helping distance-based students learn to use new instrumentation such as function generators, spectrum analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
JHU’s part-time online program comprises ten courses and must be completed within five years. Some of the courses in the curriculum include next-generation telecommunications; communication systems engineering; computer architecture; electronic materials; power electronics; and analog electronic circuit design. Please note that there are two prerequisite classes for this program: 1) signals and systems, and 2) circuits, devices, and fields.
The Iowa State University Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE) is based in Ames, IA, and offers a fully online master of engineering (MEng) in electrical engineering. The program is ideal for working professionals who seek to advance their careers. Students can specialize in communications and signal processing; electric power and energy systems; electromagnetics; microwave and nondestructive evaluation; bioengineering; microelectronics and photonics; systems and controls; or systems and controls.
Classes in this 30-credit program include electromagnetic fields and waves; engineering acoustics; topics in electromagnetics; detection and estimation theory; and optimal control, among others. With a focus on ethics and responsible research, the program helps students develop communication skills, and also learn how to prepare and submit scholarly papers and contributions.
Applicants to the program must have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent with a minimum GPA of 3.0 along with proof of English proficiency. GRE scores are optional.
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado at Boulder offers a 100 percent online master of science (MS) in electrical engineering, or MSEE, degree. Notably, CU’s Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering (ECEE) Department was founded in the 1890s and its annual research budget is around $6,000,000 with prestigious grants from NASA, DARPA, the NSF, and other sources.
The program is made up of 30 credits. There are currently three online master’s tracks in electrical engineering: embedded systems engineering, power electronics, and photonics & optics. The school offers a wealth of research foci in addition to core coursework in embedded systems, power electronics, and photonics and optics. Each course lasts three to six weeks and is hosted on the dynamic Coursera platform.
As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as converter circuits; technical design-oriented analysis; magnetics design; motors and motor control circuits; project planning and machine learning; design of high-performance optical systems; and nanophotonics and detectors. Thanks to the university's close ties with leaders in electrical engineering, students get acquainted with the latest advances in the field and learn from the top-notch faculty.
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering offers several online master’s (MS) degrees in electrical engineering, including specializations in computer engineering, computer networks, applied physics, computer architecture, electric power, wireless networks, and VLSI design, as well as a dual degree with an MS in engineering management.
USC’s Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is renowned for its outstanding faculty and research in cutting-edge fields such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer networks, control systems, bio-signal processing, adaptive and reconfigurable mixed-signal integrated circuits, and photonics, among other areas.
This program is fully online through the school’s one-of-a-kind electronic course delivery network: DEN@Viterbi. This program typically takes two years to complete and there are full- and part-time completion options available.
Made up of 28 credits, the program includes courses such as computer systems organization; probability for electrical and computer engineers; broadband network architectures; computer systems organization; computer systems architecture; communication systems; wireless communications; and linear control systems.
At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities in areas such as systems design, professional communications, broadcast technology, industrial and power electronics, computer architecture, and power engineering.
The Arizona State University Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering provides an online master of science in engineering (MSE) in electrical engineering. There are several MSE focus areas available such as signal processing and communications, mixed-signal circuit design, physical electronics and photonics, electric power and energy systems, control systems, and antennas and microwave circuits.
The 30-credit program requires ten classes and is taught by the same award-winning faculty as the on-campus program. Some of the courses in the curriculum include: fundamentals of microelectronics packaging; advanced analog integrated circuits; introduction to microelectromechanical systems; semiconductor memory technologies and systems; electron transport in nanostructures; and electromagnetic fields and guided waves.
Graduates of the program have access to career opportunities in various fields and can take up roles as electrical engineers, nuclear engineers, energy engineers, solar energy systems engineers, and engineering managers.
New Jersey Institute of Technology
The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) based in Newark provides an online master of science in electrical engineering (MSEE) program. The program is ideal for students who wish to learn about the latest methods and techniques used by electrical engineers. Along with developing technical acumen and skills, students will also flex their creative thinking muscles.
This 30-credit program includes core instruction in linear systems and random signal analysis, as well as varied electives in areas such as wireless networks, power electronics, control systems components, renewable energy systems, high-performance routers and switches, semiconductor devices, computer network design and analysis, embedded computing systems, and optimization for communication networks.
The school’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering also provides a bridge program for applicants who need additional preparation in 1) signals and systems, and 2) random signals and noise.
The Ohio University Russ College of Engineering offers an online master of science in electrical engineering (MSEE) in six concentration tracks: autonomous unmanned vehicles, electrical engineering (general), communication and digital signal processing, computer engineering, electronic navigation systems, and micro-nano devices and systems.
Foundational courses in this 36-credit-hour program provide instruction in engineering writing and computational tools for engineers. Other coursework varies by specialization. Sample some of the coursework: state-space methods in control; electronic navigation systems; microwave theory and devices; digital signal processing; embedded systems; design of digital circuits; integrated navigation systems; optoelectronics and photonics; and computer architecture.
Graduates of this program will be ready to take positions such as senior electrical engineers, aerospace engineers, naval engineers, automotive engineers, semiconductor engineers, and embedded systems engineers. Notably, the university also offers an online graduate certificate in electronic navigation. The program equips students with the skills to design, research, test, and develop new applications and technologies.
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University based in Raleigh has an online master of science in electrical engineering (MSEE). This 31-credit program does not require a thesis and is taught by the same exceptional faculty as the campus-based program.
The MSEE features instruction in photonics, communications and signal processing, and power electronics and systems, among other areas. The program requires ten graduate-level courses of which seven must be in electrical and computer engineering. Please note that GRE scores and a 3.25 GPA are required for admission.
Students develop the technical, analytical, and engineering design skills necessary for innovating and creating electronic components, systems, sensors for mobile and deep-space communications, robotics, optical networks, biomedical devices, imaging systems, power generation and distribution, renewable energy sources, vehicle electronics, and all consumer electronics.
Graduates of the program will be able to take up roles such as embedded system programmers, power systems engineers, power circuits engineers, biomedical engineers, machine learning system developers, autonomous systems engineers, controls engineers, communications system engineers, renewable energy systems engineers, and antenna engineers.
The Penn State World Campus offers an online master of engineering (MEng) in electrical engineering. The program provides students with a solid foundation in both application and theory in this rapidly evolving electrical engineering field. Courses in this program are taught by Penn State's renowned engineering faculty members, who help students in solving complex problems and achieve their professional goals.
This 30-credit program is 100 percent online and has three core courses: 1) linear systems: time domain and transform analysis, 2) probability, random variables, and stochastic processes, and 3) research projects. Elective courses include communications systems; power systems analysis; linear control systems; topics in digital signal processing; and optimal control, among others.
Admission requirements to the program include a baccalaureate degree (an ABET-accredited bachelor of science in electrical engineering (BSEE) degree is preferred) from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree, a satisfactory GPA, official transcripts from each institution attended, three references, a current resume, a personal statement, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants.
The program opens up several opportunities for graduates in industries such as telecommunications, automotive, chemical, consumer electronics, electronics manufacturing, scientific research, bioengineering, aerospace, and many more.
Electrical engineering graduate students at the Kansas State University of Manhattan, KS may pursue an online master of science (MS) in electrical and computer engineering, focusing on either electric power systems or communication and networking. This 100 percent online program is designed for working professionals and requires students to visit the Manhattan, Kansas, campus for an oral examination at the end of the program.
The 30-credit program offers courses in advanced systems theory, computer engineering methods for analysis, simulation, and design, applied probability theory and random processes, power system design, distribution system engineering, and engineering project management, among many others.
Graduates of the program can pursue roles such as project engineers, design engineers, quality control engineers, research and development engineers, reliability engineers, and systems design engineers. Classes last 16 weeks for the fall and spring semesters, and 12 weeks for the summer semester.
The Naval Postgraduate School based in Monterrey, CA offers top-quality education to those with a US government affiliation such as military officers, government employees, and contract employees of the Department of Defense. Students can pursue an ABET-accredited online master of science in electrical engineering (MSEE) or even a doctorate degree while conducting research through a cooperating laboratory.
Some of the past research areas offered in electrical engineering include electric ship power systems, military communication systems, communication systems, radar/EW systems, computer networking, power systems, and signals intelligence. Students can also design their own MSEE focus (e.g., electronic warfare and signal processing/communications). Classes are conducted via real-time video teleconferencing (VTC) and take three to five hours per week.
Please note that this school also has a distance-based master of science in engineering sciences with an electrical engineering concentration, the MSES(EE), and a master of engineering with an electrical engineering focus, the MEng(EE).
Through its distance learning program, the University of Florida offers a number of master's-level online electrical engineering programs, including degrees in electrical and computer engineering, with optional specializations in communication, bioinformatics, and semiconductor device technology. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Florida offers master of engineering (MEng), master of science (MS), and doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees.
A minimum of 30 credits must be completed for the master’s degree, while at least 90 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree are required for the PhD degree. Courses in these programs might include reconfigurable computing; image processing and computer vision; computer architecture; the principles of computer system design; the fundamentals of machine learning; and wireless communication.
The UF EDGE program lectures are available through streaming (WEBCT/E-learning).
In short, there is a wealth of distance-based electrical engineering programs from which to choose. Here is a list of additional ABET-accredited online programs at the bachelor’s level which may be of interest:
In some cases, prospective students may be required to visit the campus throughout the year, either to meet with an advisor or to turn in coursework to professors. In general, many highly respected and accredited online engineering programs—particularly at the graduate degree level—allow students to pursue a degree without ever visiting the campus.
Hands-on training may be completed through approved laboratories or in a person’s place of work. In short, it’s important to verify these requirements prior to enrollment to ensure eligibility and ease of access to instruction.
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest figures available as of September 2024.
Electrical Engineers
Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about a wide range of engineering disciplines, with a particular focus on the potential impacts of major technological breakthroughs. His work largely centers around conversations with engineeri...
After graduating from UC Berkeley, Jocelyn traveled the world for five years as an English teacher and freelance writer. After stints in England, Japan, and Brazil, she settled in San Francisco and worked as a managing editor for a tech company. She’s recently become interested in the underrepr...
Meet 25 top professors of electrical engineering, and learn more about their areas of expertise, their achievements, and their contributions to both engineering and their respective programs.
Electrical engineers bring a range of electronic equipment to life. Through research, design, development, testing, and manufacturing supervision, electrical engineers are the humans behind all the systems and devices that produce, use, or conduct electricity. Specializations in electrical engineering tend to be incredibly multidisciplinary.
Electrical engineering is a field where professionals research, develop, and design various electrical components and systems. An online master’s degree can be valuable to students who wish to take up advanced positions in their career.
Power systems engineering focuses on generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity as well as building and repairing the various electrical devices involved in these processes, such as transformers, motors, and generators.
