Admission Requirements 

General University requirements for graduate student admission are described in the Graduate Catalog.

The PhD in Electrical and Computer engineering is an acknowledgement of the student's success in an original research project, which is a significant contribution to the discipline. Admission in to the doctoral program is recommended by the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Graduate Studies Committee based on academic record, and research aptitude. 

These are the admission guidelines for the Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering:

1.  A Bachelor of Science of Master of Science in electrical and/or computer engineering or a related field from an ABET* accredited institution in the United States, or proof of equivalent education from an international institution with a minimum GPA of 3.3/4.0 (or its equivalent). If you have not completed the master's degree before entering the doctoral program, you will be required to complete it as part of the requirements for candidacy.
2. Experience in conducting research in ECE (e.g. research experiences for undergraduates, completion of a thesis for a master student, conducting research in industry, or research publications in peer reviewed media).

Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation form individuals who are familiar with the student's records and able to judge the candidate's potential of success in pursuing doctoral studies in electrical and computer engineering.

Applicants must submit a resume or CV detailing educational background, work and research experience, publications and presentations (if applicable) and other background and knowledge in ECE that may be relevant.

Applicants must also submit two written statements. The first statement should describe their Research Activities and Goals. The second statement should provide a narrative about their Academic and Intellectual Journey.

For graduates of institutions outside the United States where English is not the first language, UTEP requires students to demonstrate English proficiency. One way this can be demonstrated is through English proficiency testing to include the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), PTE, and the Duolingo English Test. Required scores can be found on the Student Affairs student testing page. Higher scores are required to serve as a Teaching Assistant in the department. The test is not required for students whose undergraduate institution uses English as the language of instruction.

The graduate record examination (GRE) is not required for admission, but students are encouraged to submit the results if they take the exam.

Conditional admissions may be offered to students who do not meet all the requirements for full admission but who show promise for success in the doctoral program.

The ECE Graduate Studies Committee will review the application documents and provide one of the following recommendations to the Graduate School: acceptance, conditional acceptance, or rejection of the application. The Graduate School approves these recommendations and notifies the applicant of the final decision.

Degree Requirements  

General University requirements for the Ph.D. degree are described in the Graduate Catalog. Specific requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering are described below.

Each student must complete 60 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree or 42 hours beyond the master's degree.

Students entering the doctoral program directly after the bachelor degree must complete 60 semester credit hours, including: 1 credit hour of graduate seminar ECE 6195; ECE 6392 or ECE 5392 Research Methods; 27 credit hours of approved graduate organized coursework with at least 15 credits in ECE graduate courses; and 23 credit hours of Graduate Research Courses, Independent Studies, Industrial or Teaching Practicum, or other courses to strengthen the student research or professional skills with prior approval of the Dissertation Advisor and the Graduate Program Director; and 6 credit hours of ECE 6398/EE 6399 Dissertation.

Students entering the doctoral program with a master's degree in electrical or in computer engineering must complete 42 credit hours, including: 1 credit hour of graduate seminar ECE 6195; ECE 6392 or ECE 5392 Research Methods; 12 credit hours of approved graduate coursework with at least 6 credits in ECE graduate courses; 20 credit hours of Graduate Research Courses, Independent Studies, Industrial or Teaching Practicum, or other courses to strengthen the student research or professional skills with prior approval of the Dissertation Advisor and the Graduate Program Director; and 6 credit hours of ECE 6398/6399 Dissertation.

Up to nine hours of undergraduate courses approved for graduate credit may be used to meet degree coursework requirements. The list of approved courses is available from the Program Director. 

UTEP students entering the Ph.D. program who previously completed a Master of Science in Electrical or in Computer Engineering at UTEP can transfer their coursework to the program. Furthermore, they can apply up to 6 credits of ECE 5398/5499, Thesis, towards their graduate research credit hours. Students from other disciplines at UTEP may be able to transfer some coursework to the program. 

All students are required to pass the qualifying exam, dissertation proposal exam, and dissertation exam as described below. 

The study plan will be prepared by the student in consultation with the Dissertation Advisor, the Dissertation Committee, and the Program Director to meet and support the student professional and research interests as well as meeting program requirements. 

Each student must complete 72 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree or 42 hours beyond the master's degree. Students entering the doctoral program directly after the bachelor degree must complete 72 semester credit hours, including: 1 credit hour of graduate seminar ECE 6195; 33 credit hours of approved graduate coursework with at least 24 credits in ECE graduate courses; 32 credit hours of ECE6X94 Graduate Research or ECE 6392 or ECE 5392 Research Methods or other courses to strengthen the student research skills with prior approval of the Graduate Program Director; and 6 credit hours of ECE 6398/EE 6399 Dissertation.

Students entering the doctoral program with a master’s degree must complete 42 credit hours, including: 1 credit hour of graduate seminar ECE 6195; 18 credit hours of approved graduate coursework with at least 12 credits in ECE graduate courses; 17 credit hours of ECE 6X94 Graduate Research or ECE 6392 or ECE 5392 Research Methods or other courses to strengthen the student research skills with prior approval of the Graduate Program Director; and 6 credit hours of ECE 6398/6399 Dissertation. UTEP students entering the Ph.D. program who previously completed a Master of Science in Electrical or Computer Engineering in the Thesis option can apply 3 credits of ECE 5398, Thesis 1, and 3 credits of ECE 5399, Thesis 2, towards their graduate Research credit hours. 

Specific coursework to meet degree coursework requirements will be selected by the student in consultation with the dissertation advisor and the ECE Graduate Advisor to meet and support the student professional and research interests and to meet program requirements.

Dissertation Committee

The doctoral student, in consultation with the dissertation advisor, will propose a Dissertation Committee to the Program Director. Departmental requirements and guidelines on the composition and duties of the dissertation committee are available from the ECE website. 

Qualifying Exams

Each student in the program is required to take the Qualifying Exam. The purpose of the qualifying exam is for the student to demonstrate competency in the fundamentals of Electrical and/or Computer Engineering, and the ability to conduct research in ECE.

The Qualifying Examination will consist of two sections: (1) Electrical and Computer Engineering Fundamentals, and (2) Research Competency. A passing grade in the Qualifying Examination is required to continue in the Ph.D. program, while not passing the exam will result in dismissal from the program. 

Departmental policies and guidelines on the qualifying exam are available from the ECE website. 

Dissertation Proposal Examination

All doctoral students are required to complete a dissertation proposal. The dissertation proposal must demonstrate both the ability to conduct independent research and the competence in scholarly exposition. It should propose an original investigation at an advanced level of a significant problem in fields related to Electrical and/or Computer Engineering and should provide the basis for publishable peer-­reviewed publications in the field. A student can only present a dissertation proposal after passing the qualifier exam. 

The Dissertation Proposal Examination consists of (1) an evaluation of the written dissertation proposal, (2) an oral presentation, and (3) private oral examination conducted by the dissertation committee. 

The student can apply to the Graduate School for candidacy after successful completion of the dissertation proposal exam and completing all required coursework. 

Departmental policies and guidelines on the dissertation proposal exam are available from the ECE website. 

Dissertation Exam

After completion of the proposed dissertation research, the student will be examined regarding the dissertation research outcomes in the Dissertation Exam. The Dissertation Exam consists of (1) an evaluation of the written dissertation, (2) a public presentation, and (3) private oral examination conducted by the dissertation committee. 

Departmental policies and guidelines on the dissertation exam are available from the ECE website.