Find your perfect college degree
Electrical engineering has fueled the research and development projects in various fields, such as telecommunications, power systems, electronics, and automation.
While a bachelor’s or master’s degree can equip you with fundamental knowledge, a doctorate will cover more advanced topics in this specific field of Engineering. These include signal processing, power systems, control systems, machine learning, and neural networks, which will boost your abilities and contribute to knowledge advancements.
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Overview
Most students in these graduate programs are already experienced electrical engineers with advanced skills. However, these graduate degree programs cover even more advanced topics and, thus, demand effective time management skills and study habits. Among these advanced topics are signal processing, power systems, control systems, machine learning, and neural networks.
Methodology
The online Doctor of Electrical Engineering programs that we highly recommend all share these features demonstrating excellence:
- Offered mostly as a hybrid program, requiring candidates to complete some coursework requirements online and in person, but emphasizes overall flexibility and convenience,
- Features academic rigor through comprehensive coursework, ensuring that candidates obtain the right academic competence for the Electrical Engineering field,
- Promotes soft skills, primarily problem-solving, analysis, and critical thinking, for management and leadership positions,
- Employs the expertise of Electrical Engineers as professors, particularly those with distinctive expertise, experience, and contribution to the industry,
- Offers student assistance, including financial aid, career advice, and other student help programs,
- Proper accreditation from academic organizations or agencies that set the standards for academic instruction.
Check out our ranking indicators and process. Visit our Methodology page.
The Best Online Doctor of Electrical Engineering Programs
Mississippi State University
Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical & Computer Engineering
| Tuition | $537 per credit |
| Credit Hours | Varies |
| Length | 4-5 years |
MSU’s PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering is a world-class program emphasizing topics in Signal processing and their systems, Solid state electronics, Power Systems, Discrete structures, and Advanced Electronics Circuits. It has three application deadlines – the first day of June, November, and May.
For students with a master’s degree, the doctoral program consists of 48 credit hours of courses relevant to the electrical and computer engineering field. For students with a bachelor’s degree, the doctoral program has a direct admit path consisting of 166 credit hours of coursework. Both types of students must complete dissertation requirements in electrical and computer engineering.
University of North Dakota
Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering
| Tuition | $545.16 per credit (residency) $817.73 per credit (non-resident) |
| Credit Hours | 90 |
| Length | 4+ years |
UND’s Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering explores various advanced courses, such as Robotics Fundamentals, Biomedical Instrumentation, Communications Engineering, and more. In addition to the required courses, Ph.D. students can customize their learning experience by participating in various Career and Professional Development Workshops.
Moreover, the program provides a concentrated learning atmosphere with many opportunities for students to engage with their faculty mentors. Although there are residency requirements, it can be met through sufficient demonstration of research activities in their workplaces, laboratories, and research universities.
Auburn University
Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering
| Tuition | $5,898 per semester (residents) $15,978 per semester (non-residents) |
| Credit Hours | 60 |
| Length | Varies |
Auburn’s PhD in Electrical Engineering is designed specifically for experienced engineering professionals. The curriculum is intensive and explores advanced topics in Digital Signal Processing and Communications, Control Systems, and Power Systems. Students also learn advanced skills in computer engineering.
Columbia University
Doctor of Engineering Science – Electrical Engineering
| Tuition | $2,462 per credit |
| Credit Hours | 72 |
| Length | 5 years |
Columbia’s Doctor of Engineering Science in Electrical Engineering is a very intensive program that can only be completed in a hybrid learning format. Qualified students will have access to solid-state electronics, ultra-fast optics, communications and information processing, and plasmas.
Students must perform research activities in on-campus sites under the supervision of their faculty advisors. Students in the Doctor of Engineering Science program can enroll on a full-time or part-time basis.
However, they must be self-funded and must complete the program requirements within seven years from the date of candidacy to the date of the dissertation defense. Doctor of Engineering Science students are not required to undergo community service, teaching assignments, or teaching assistantships.
Clemson University
Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering
| Tuition | $5,580 per semester (in-state) $11,376 per semester (out-of-state) |
| Credit Hours | 60 |
| Length | 5 years |
Clemson’s Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering is a hybrid degree program that offers several research opportunities. Students can participate in initiatives at the Dominion Energy Innovation Center, the Wind Turbine Drive Train Test Facility, and the Duke Energy eGRID. Other research opportunities are available at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.
In addition to research opportunities, students can also pursue a departmental specialization. Choices include Computing and Communications, Intelligent Systems, Energy Systems, and Photonics, Electronics and Quantum Systems.
Features of Online Doctor of Electrical Engineering Programs
There are two different types of electrical engineering doctor degrees. While they share some similarities like requiring students to produce original research and intensive dissertation defense, they are quite different.
| Aspect | Doctor of Electrical Engineering | Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering |
| Emphasis | applied research (i.e., the research has practical applications in solving real-world issues) | Theoretical knowledge and research publishable in industry journals |
| Typical Career Path | Technical or business environments like manufacturing, industrial, and service companies | Full-time, tenured professors and researchers in community colleges and four-year institutions |
Admission Requirements
Admission to either program varies, so consult official websites and talk to an admissions counselor for specifics before gathering admissions materials. However, among the most common requirements include:
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in related disciplines
- Minimum cumulative GPA, usually 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent,
- GRE scores,
- Personal statements
- Current résumé
- Interview
Time-to-Completion
The typical timeline for doctoral degree programs is as follows:
- First-year – Graduate courses and qualifying exams, usually in written form
- Second year – Graduate-level courses combined with a selection of research advisory committees and preliminary research
- Third year – Coursework on advanced topics and preliminary research exam
- Fourth year – Conduct research
- Fifth year – Completion of the dissertation, including dissertation defense via a final oral exam
Note that the five-year time-to-completion is only a guide. Most students earn a doctoral degree in 6-7 years. Most, if not all, graduate programs have maximum time-to-completion, usually between eight and ten years.
Career and Salary Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics presents the latest data that shows electrical engineers earn a median annual wage of $103,320. The overall employment growth for electrical engineers between 2022 and 2032 is 5%, which is faster than average for all occupations.
Like architects, engineers are vital to the construction industry—but there’s more to this field! Here’s a quick look at some of the most common career paths for doctorates in electrical engineering:
| Job | Duties | Average Annual Salary |
| College Engineering Professors | – Perform education, research, and academic services . – Dedicate time to research projects, supervision, publishing, and conferences. | $80,840 |
| Electrical Research Engineers | – Design, develop, and implement research projects for innovative products. – Work in the business sector, particularly manufacturing companies. | $88,310 |
| Architectural and Engineering | – Create detailed plans for new product development. | $159,920 |
| Managers | – Determine manpower and equipment needs. – Coordinate research and development projects. | |
| Electrical Aerospace Engineers | -Design, construct, and maintain aircraft, spacecraft, and satellites. – Test, diagnose, and repair electrical systems. | $111,091 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | – Design, manufacture, test, and troubleshoot new products – Combine expertise in electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering. – Work on control systems, microwaves, and various modern technologies. | $90,511 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you call a professional with a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering degree?
In academia, electrical engineers with a doctorate are usually addressed as Dr. John Smith (full name) in written communications. In conversations, Dr. Smith (surname) is used.
Do Electrical Engineers need a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering degree?
No, a doctorate in engineering degree isn’t necessary for licensed professional electrical engineers. But for professionals who want to become college professors and/or researchers, a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering is a must for tenure track purposes.
How can you choose the best Doctor of Electrical Engineering online program?
The quality of online education in engineering also depends on the same factors as traditional engineering programs. Regional accreditation is the first and foremost accreditation because it demonstrates compliance with academic standards set by the US Department of Education.
Then, look at the professional credentials of the faculty members, including their educational attainment and research projects, both present and past. Consider the quality of instruction, too, including learning objectives, curriculum and courses, and graduate outcomes, which are measurements of overall quality.
Is an online Doctorate in Electrical Engineering accepted by the industry and employers?
Yes, it is! However, you must ensure that you’re enrolled in a regionally accredited school. The electrical engineering industry and employers will only recognize the doctorate degree if it’s awarded by four-year colleges and universities with active regional accreditation.
Can you finish a Doctorate degree program faster than the average time to completion?
Yes, you can, but it will be a challenging endeavor, to say the least. You can be a full-time student, find a great mentor, and immerse yourself in your research, among other steps. You should also consider choosing a specialized or narrow topic for your dissertation, orienting toward your desired career path in the field of Engineering.
Key Takeaways
- Earning a Doctor of Electrical Engineering or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering can lead to numerous career opportunities, including university research and teaching and mechatronics engineering.
- Consider academic challenges, high university costs, and dissertation demands when planning for doctorate programs.
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