Graduate Admissions Information

MSE and PhD Application Requirements

• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
  • There are no specific formatting requirements; most submissions are two pages in length and use a readable font.
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts. Unofficial transcripts can be used for your application. Official transcripts will be required upon admission.
• GRE Scores – Optional for the MSE application. Not required for the PhD application.
• TOEFL/IELTS scores – Required for international students unless your native language is English, you have graduated with a degree from a university in most English-speaking countries, or your school’s sole/primary language of instruction, writing, and testing is English. Please read more information about a English Proficiency waiver.
  
• Our institution code for GRE scores is 4655 and our code for TOEFL scores is C559.
• $25 PhD Application Fee for PhDs, $0 MSE Application Fee

Degree Type	Application Deadline	Admission
PhD	December 15	Fall Admission
MSE	February 15	Fall Admission
BS/MSE	December 15	Fall Admission
MSE	October 1	Spring Admission
BS/MSE	October 13	Spring Admission

Application Submission Deadlines

We will accept graduate applications beginning September 1 each year.

• PhD applications are only accepted for fall admissions.
• The PhD application submission deadline is December 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EDT (UTC-5).
  
• The Master’s application submission deadline is February 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT (UTC-5).

We strongly encourage that all application items be submitted by the application deadline. Please note GRE scores are optional. This includes:

• Your statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts
• For international applicants: TOEFL/IELTS scores (unless your native language is English or you have graduated with a degree from a University in most English-speaking countries, which exempts you from submitting the score).
  • Our institution code for GRE scores is 4655, and our code for TOEFL scores is C559.

 

Our Department has several Areas of Interest you can select on your application.

• Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
• Language and Speech Processing
• Photonics and Optoelectronics
• Computer Engineering and Microelectronics
• Image Processing and Analysis
• Control Systems
• Sustainable Energy

 

Admission Evaluation Guidelines

The primary requirement for admission to our graduate programs is excelling in an undergraduate program. The class of graduate students we admit each year is a carefully selected group of individuals who will benefit from close and frequent interactions with faculty while pursuing their research.

To help you evaluate your chances of admission and to determine if you are eligible for financial aid, we provide information about our expectations for the qualifications of a successful applicant. An offer of admission into our graduate programs indicates that we believe a student has the potential to complete all the requirements for the degree they seek.

Admissions are based on the following major factors:

• Previous course background
• Grades received
• Letters of recommendation
  
• TOEFL scores (for international non-native English applicants only).

The following is the profile of a typical successful applicant:

• Grade point average of at least 3.7.
• GRE scores of:
  • 540 (156 on revised test) or above on the verbal reasoning section
  • 770 (161 on revised test) or above on the quantitative reasoning section
  • 5.0 or above on the analytical writing section
• A TOEFL score of at least 100 (internet-based test) or 600 (paper-based test) and an IELTS Academic Band Score equal to 7

We provide the above profiles to illustrate our admission standards. However, they are not rigid requirements and should only be used as guidelines. We may admit an applicant even if some of these guidelines are not satisfied, provided that additional strengths in other areas of the application are present. Moreover, we may not offer admission to an applicant who meets these guidelines.

 

Application Items Receipt

To verify receipt of your application items, please contact the Whiting School’s Graduate Admissions team. If you contact our office seeking verification, we will not have this information. We will only be able to refer you to the Graduate Admissions office.

 

FAQ: Application Process

I HAVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE. CAN I APPLY TO THE Ph.D. program, OR MUST I APPLY FOR A MASTER’S DEGREE FIRST?

Yes, applicants interested in earning a PhD, regardless of whether they already hold a master’s degree, are encouraged to apply directly to the PhD program. PhD students without a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering may earn one as part of their doctoral studies.

DOES AN APPLICANT HAVE TO CHOOSE AN ADVISOR BEFORE THE APPLICATION IS REVIEWED?

No, but applicants are welcome to indicate which faculty members they would like to work with.

PhD students are typically identified/recruited by faculty before and during the application review process. Visit our faculty webpage to see which members’ research interests and areas of expertise align with your own.  When you complete your application, you will have an opportunity to list faculty that you would like to work with.

If you can identify a specific faculty member and would like to reach out to gauge their interest in your work, we highly encourage you to do so. Before doing this it’s useful to review our information pertaining to the admissions criteria and the overall application process, the ECE graduate admissions page and the WSE graduate admissions page.

WILL THE DEPARTMENT WAIVE THE PhD $25 APPLICATION FEE?

No. You may apply for the application fee waiver on the Supporting Materials page of your application.  For further information and instructions, please visit: https://engineering.jhu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/full-time-programs/how-to-apply/general-application-requirements/.  

WILL THE DEPARTMENT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE?

No.

IF I APPLY FOR THE PhD PROGRAM BUT AM NOT ADMITTED, WILL MY APPLICATION BE CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION TO THE MASTER’S PROGRAM?

Yes. All PhD applicants who are not admitted to the PhD program will be considered for admission to the master’s program. No separate application is necessary; however, it must be indicated on the initial application on the program information page. Those who are eligible for master’s admission will be notified of this and offered admission if they are interested in the master’s program.

THE UNIVERSITY STRONGLY RECOMMENDS A “PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL EVALUATION” FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS. DOES THE DEPARTMENT REQUIRE IT? HOW WILL IT INFLUENCE MY APPLICATION, WHETHER OR NOT I GET ONE?

The ECE department follows the university’s strong preference that international applicants obtain a professional credential evaluation.

The department cannot predict the chances of an applicant’s admission solely based on their decision to submit a professional credential evaluation.

ARE BOTH A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND A PERSONAL STATEMENT REQUIRED?

No. The department requires only a Statement of Purpose.

 

FAQ: Transcripts and GPA/GRE, TOEFL, IELTS

WHEN ARE APPLICANTS WAIVED FROM HAVING TO SUBMIT A TOEFL/IELTS SCORE?

When an applicant’s native language is English, or an applicant meets the University’s TOEFL/IELTS requirement waiver policy.

IF I AM ELIGIBLE FOR A TOEFL/IELTS SCORE WAIVER, HOW WILL THE WAIVER BE NOTED ON MY APPLICATION?

The Office of Graduate Admissions will note the waiver. If you do not see the waiver within 14 days of submitting your application, please contact the graduate admissions office directly. Please do not contact the ECE department, as we can only refer you to the Graduate Admissions office.

WHO MUST SUBMIT GRE SCORES? 

Applicants to the ECE grad programs are not required to submit GRE scores. You can submit them and they may or may not help with your admissions.

WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM SCORE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADE POINT AVERAGES (GPA), THE GRE, AND TOEFL/IELTS?

• There are no minimum score requirements for an application to be considered.
• The university prefers a minimum TOEFL score of 100 or an IELTS score of 7.0, but it is not a requirement.

WHAT ARE THE AVERAGE GRADE POINT AVERAGES, GRE SCORES, AND TOEFL/IELTS SCORES FOR APPLICANTS?

We do not calculate average scores of applicants, nor do we release information about applicants’ scores and GPAs. An average score would have no bearing on an individual applicant’s qualifications or chances of admission.

I WAS UNHAPPY WITH MY GRE, TOEFL, OR IELTS SCORE. MAY I RETAKE THE TEST AND HAVE THE NEW SCORE SUBMITTED?

Yes, the graduate admissions office will automatically update the new score in your application once ETS submits it. It is recommended that the new score be received before the application submission deadline; however, we will accept it after the deadline.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT I WILL BE ADMITTED BASED ON MY GPA OR GRE, TOEFL, OR IELTS SCORES? I AM CONCERNED THAT MY SCORES OR GPA ARE TOO LOW.

We cannot predict the chances of admission for an applicant based solely on one’s GPA or GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS score. To determine an applicant’s chances for admission, a complete application is necessary, which includes:

• Transcripts and exam scores
• A statement of purpose
• Three recommendation letters

I ARRANGED TO HAVE MY GRE AND/OR TOEFL SCORES SUBMITTED, BUT MY APPLICATION STATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVED. WHAT DO I DO?

Upon submission of an application, the Graduate Admissions office will match GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS scores to the application and acknowledge receipt. This is not an automated process, but rather requires a staff member to manually connect scores to applications. It will take time, and patience is appreciated. An application will not be negatively affected if the scores are not immediately connected to it. The scores will eventually be acknowledged.

I SUBMITTED MY TRANSCRIPT, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE APPLICATION AS RECEIVED. WHAT DO I DO?

Please contact the Graduate Admissions office directly. They can help determine if it was received and connect it to your application.

 

FAQ: Admission

HOW MANY APPLICANTS DO YOU PLAN TO ADMIT?

There is no predetermined number, as it will vary from year to year.

WHAT IS THE ACCEPTANCE RATE FOR APPLICATIONS?

The number of applications accepted varies from year to year and from program to program. The rate of application acceptance in previous years has no influence on the number of application acceptances in the current year as each application is considered on its own merits.

ARE CONDITIONAL ADMISSIONS AVAILABLE?

No, conditional admissions are not offered. Admission is determined using an applicant’s complete application and the compatibility of research and academic interests.

 

FAQ: Visiting Campus before Admission

Applicants and prospective students are welcome to visit the department at their own expense and convenience. Pre-arranging the visits is strongly recommended. Walk-in visitors will most likely not be accommodated.

To arrange a visit, please contact ECE Grad with the following information:

• Which degree(s) you would like to earn 
• Which Electrical and Computer Engineering professors and labs would you like to visit
• When you would like to visit
• Your resume or CV
• Your Statement of Purpose
• Any other information that you would like our professors to know before your visit
• Any questions that you have

 

FAQ: Financial Aid

For PhD Students: PhD students are fully funded (tuition, health insurance, and stipend) for the duration of their PhD program while they are in a full-time, resident status.

For Master’s Students: Will be expected to cover their own tuition and health insurance. The ECE Department does not offer fellowships or direct funding opportunities for this program.

Please visit the JHU WSE Graduate Financial Aid website for more opportunities. https://engineering.jhu.edu/education/graduate-studies/graduate-financial-aid/. MSE students are automatically considered for fellowships upon application if there are available funds.

 

FAQ: MSE Transfer Credits

Students may transfer up to two courses from outside JHU that have not already been applied toward a degree elsewhere, subject to clearance from the Director of Graduate Studies. The degree-granting institution must provide evidence that it was not used to obtain another degree. These courses cannot contribute toward the initial five EN.520.6xx requirement from the department. If you want your courses reviewed for transfer, please contact your ECE Grad about the process.

 

Where Can I Get Help?

Contact the Graduate Admissions office about the application process, submitting an application, technical issues on the application, and sending and verifying receipt of supplemental materials. Any department-specific questions you have may be sent to ECE Grad.

 

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