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Joint B.S./M.S. Degree

This program allows students to receive either the bachelor of science in electrical engineering or bachelor of science in computer engineering and a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering within a five-year time frame.

Introduction

The Joint B.S./M.S. degree program affords undergraduate electrical or computer engineering majors the opportunity to broaden their studies and improve their career prospects. Interested students should apply as juniors during the term that they are completing ECE 3040 Microelectronic Circuits, but no later than drop day of the next term enrolled after completing ECE 3040.

In our highly technical and globally competitive society, an M.S. degree is frequently viewed as the "working degree" for many engineers. The M.S. degree is a valuable tool, which takes undergraduate studies to a deeper and broader level of understanding. Engineers who have completed the M.S. degree generally enter the work force with higher starting salaries and a wider range of career opportunities from which to choose. They also tend to be promoted sooner than those who have not completed graduate level degrees.

While earning the M.S. degree, students can choose to participate in programs such as Georgia Tech Lorraine and the Practice-Oriented M.S. to further enhance their graduate level experience and to broaden their education and their career opportunities. The elective hours and required minor classes taken in the M.S. program can also be a starting point for entry into M.B.A. and other non-engineering degree programs.

Benefits of enrollment into the Joint B.S./M.S. program include:

  • Application fee waived for B.S./M.S. applicants
  • GRE requirement waived
  • Qualified B.S./M.S. students may receive GRA/GTA appointments with a stipend and reduced tuition and fees upon matriculation into the graduate program
  • Early decision process eliminates uncertainty at graduation
  • Students with a final cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher may double count 6 hours of credit toward both the B.S. and the M.S. degree (classes must fulfill degree requirements)

Qualifications for this program are as follows:

  • When the application for this program is submitted, the student must have a GPA of at least 3.5. Depending on demand, the required minimum GPA may be higher.
    • For non-transfer students, the required GPA is based on a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit at Georgia Tech.
    • For transfer students, the required GPA is based on a minimum of 14 hours of ECE coursework after entering Georgia Tech and having a transfer GPA of 3.5 from an approved undergraduate program. (ABET accredited or GTREP partner school.) (The 14 hours should be completed by the end of the term in which the application is made.)
  • Students should apply during the term that they are completing ECE 3040, but no later than drop day of the next term enrolled after completing ECE 3040.
  • Students must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA through completion of the undergraduate program. Furthermore, no single term GPA can be below 3.0.

Admissions and Applications

B.S./M.S. program application procedures are listed below. IMPORTANT: Applications for the B.S./M.S. program must not be submitted through the ECE or Graduate Studies on-line application system!

The ECE Graduate Affairs Office will make a decision regarding your acceptance when we have received all information necessary to complete the application file. Admission decisions will be made at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Applicants will be notified of our decision by letter. If an assistantship is offered, we will send a separate letter with all necessary information and materials. The ECE Graduate Affairs Office will track your progress through your B.S. program and provide you with new student information prior to entry into the graduate program.

Note that not being selected for this program does not preclude a student from applying to the graduate program in the standard fashion during their senior year.

After admission to the program, you are expected to:

  • Maintain a minimum 3.5 overall GPA and no single term GPA lower than 3.0.
  • Inform the ECE Graduate Affairs Office when you will be graduating with your B.S. degree
  • Apply for an ECE Assistantship when you submit your petition to graduate with your B.S. degree.
  • Review the "Important Information for New Students" and the "Current ECE Graduate Handbook" located in the Current Student Resources area of the ECE web site.
  • Attend the ECE B.S./M.S. Graduate Student Advisement session. Date, time, and location of this session will be sent to students via email.
  • Familiarize yourself with the coursework requirements and options as outlined on the Master's Degree Requirements page
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Students admitted through the B.S./M.S. program who have more than one term with a GPA lower than 3.00 or do not have a 3.50 or higher cumulative GPA at the completion of their B.S. program will be required to take the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and provide acceptable scores to the ECE Graduate Affairs Office. This requirement must be fulfilled during the first term of graduate study. These students should also expect that they will not be permitted to double count any undergraduate hours toward the M.S. degree requirements.

Doctoral Studies

B.S./M.S. students are welcome to pursue doctoral studies in ECE. Students are reclassified as "Ph.D." when they successfully pass the Ph.D. preliminary examination. This exam is offered in both fall and spring semesters. B.S./M.S. students may take the exam when they are classified as seniors or after they are reclassified as M.S. students.

There are differences between the coursework requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Students who plan to pursue the Ph.D. can save time by choosing their M.S. classes with the Ph.D. requirements in mind.

For additional information, contact the ECE Graduate Affairs Office.

Last revised on Jun 15, 2006.

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