Online Electrical Engineering (EE) Degree Programs

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Is an Online Electrical Engineering Program for Me?

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.

Admissions Requirements for Online Electrical Engineering Programs

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:

  • Online application (NOTE: some engineering programs require separate applications to the university and to the engineering department)
  • Official transcripts detailing one’s previous academic experience
  • Proof of prerequisite coursework (e.g., calculus, chemistry, physics)
  • Competitive GPA (e.g., >3.0)
  • Test scores (e.g., SAT for bachelor’s degree programs; GRE for MS programs; TOEFL for ESL students)
  • Personal statement (500-600 words)
  • Letters of recommendation from teachers, employers, or others who can speak to a candidate’s relevant abilities
  • Resume or CV (particularly for graduate-level programs and certificates)
  • Application fee

It’s worth noting that some schools offer an early admissions deadline in November, as well as a regular admissions deadline the following December or January. Final decisions are typically mailed to students sometime between March and May with a seat deposit required at some point 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.

List of Online Electrical Engineering Programs

Filter by state :
DEGREE :
School City State Website Undergrad Graduate Grads
Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh

PA www.cmu.edu 633
University of Southern California

Los Angeles

CA www.usc.edu 574
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign

IL www.illinois.edu 456
Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station

TX www.tamu.edu 374
North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh

NC www.ncsu.edu 340
Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette

IN www.purdue.edu 333
Stanford University

Stanford

CA www.stanford.edu 310
University of Florida

Gainesville

FL www.ufl.edu/ 297
New York University

New York

NY www.nyu.edu 292
Columbia University in the City of New York

New York

NY www.columbia.edu 261
Michigan Technological University

Houghton

MI www.mtu.edu 226
The University of Texas at Arlington

Arlington

TX www.uta.edu 220
Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago

IL web.iit.edu 214
New Jersey Institute of Technology

Newark

NJ www.njit.edu 214
Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester

NY www.rit.edu 210
Iowa State University

Ames

IA www.iastate.edu 192
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison

WI www.wisc.edu 184
University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder

CO www.colorado.edu 171
Washington State University

Pullman

WA wsu.edu 163
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester

MA www.wpi.edu 158
Florida International University

Miami

FL www.fiu.edu 154
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Dearborn

MI umdearborn.edu 150
University of Houston

Houston

TX www.uh.edu 150
Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla

MO www.mst.edu 149
Stevens Institute of Technology

Hoboken

NJ www.stevens.edu 141
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh

PA www.pitt.edu 134
Drexel University

Philadelphia

PA www.drexel.edu 134
Clemson University

Clemson

SC www.clemson.edu 132
Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins

CO www.colostate.edu 128
University of Utah

Salt Lake City

UT www.utah.edu 117
Auburn University

Auburn

AL www.auburn.edu 109
Stony Brook University

Stony Brook

NY www.stonybrook.edu 99
Morgan State University

Baltimore

MD www.morgan.edu 92
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Stillwater

OK www.okstate.edu 89
University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Albuquerque

NM www.unm.edu 83
Southern Methodist University

Dallas

T1 www.smu.edu 81
Arizona State University-Skysong

Scottsdale

AZ www.asu.edu 79
University of Arkansas

Fayetteville

AR www.uark.edu 78
University of Idaho

Moscow

ID www.uidaho.edu 75
New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Las Cruces

NM www.nmsu.edu 75
Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton

FL www.fau.edu 73
Kansas State University

Manhattan

KS www.k-state.edu 66
University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville

VA www.virginia.edu 64
Naval Postgraduate School

Monterey

CA www.nps.edu 63
Mississippi State University

Mississippi State

MS www.msstate.edu 62
Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens

OH www.ohio.edu 57
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

Teaneck

NJ www.fdu.edu 54
University of North Dakota

Grand Forks

ND und.edu 48
Eastern Washington University

Cheney

WA www.ewu.edu 36
Western New England University

Springfield

MA www1.wne.edu 27
Villanova University

Villanova

PA www.villanova.edu 22
Capitol Technology University

Laurel

MD www.captechu.edu 22
Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud

MN www.stcloudstate.edu 21
National University

La Jolla

CA www.nu.edu 15
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs

CO www.coloradotech.edu 10
American Public University System

Charles Town

WV www.apus.edu 4
DeVry University-Illinois

Chicago

IL www.devry.edu 1
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

University Park

PA worldcampus.psu.edu 1

Program Accreditation & State Authorization of Electrical Engineering Degrees

Before enrolling in an online electrical engineering program, aspiring students are encouraged to verify its institutional and/or programmatic accreditation status.

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:

  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

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.

Curriculum & Specializations of Electrical Engineering Programs

The curriculum for online electrical engineering programs varies by institution, but some of the courses at the master’s degree level may include:

  • Circuits and electronics
  • Optimal control
  • Digital spectral analysis
  • Fundamentals of microelectronics packaging
  • Power system control and operation
  • Digital systems and design
  • Wireless communications circuits
  • Propagation of radio waves in the atmosphere
  • Spread-spectrum communications
  • Semiconductor device theory
  • Next generation telecommunications
  • VLSI design
  • Computing
  • Time-frequency signal processing
  • Electron transport in nanostructures
  • Satellite communications systems
  • Error control coding
  • Fiber-optic communications systems
  • Electromagnetic fields and guided waves
  • DSP algorithms and software
  • Advanced silicon processing
  • Artificial neural computation
  • Linear systems: time domain and transform analysis
  • Electromagnetism
  • Multidimensional signal processing
  • Power systems analysis
  • Probability, random variables, and stochastic processes

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:

  • Embedded systems
  • Computer networks
  • Bioengineering, acoustics, and magnetic resonance engineering
  • Control systems
  • Electrophysics
  • Electronic design
  • Optics
  • Nanotechnology
  • Communication systems
  • Microelectronics/photonics
  • Electric power
  • Dynamics, robotics, and controls
  • Wireless health technology
  • Power and energy systems
  • Circuits
  • Remote sensing and space science
  • Wireless networks

Featured Online Electrical Engineering Schools

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:

1Johns Hopkins University - Whiting School of Engineering

Johns Hopkins University

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. The program generally costs $6,290 per course, but there are grants and scholarships available. Please note that there are two prerequisite classes for this program: 1) signals and systems, and 2) circuits, devices, and fields.

  • Location: Baltimore, MD
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: $6,290 per course

2University of Colorado, Boulder - College of Engineering and Applied Science

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.

  • Location: Boulder, CO
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: $667 per credit

3University of Southern California - Viterbi School of Engineering

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. It costs $2,309 per credit.

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.

  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
  • Accreditation: Senior College and University Commission (WASC Senior or WSCUC) of the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 36 months
  • Estimated Tuition: $2,309 per credit

4Arizona State University - Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering

Arizona State University

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. Each class takes 7.5 to 15 weeks and this program costs $1,021 per credit. Notably, US News & World Report (2022) ranked ASU’s online graduate programs in engineering twelfth in the nation.

Sample some of the courses in the curriculum: 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.

  • Location: Tempe, AZ
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: $1,021 per credit

5New Jersey Institute of Technology

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, among others.

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.

  • Location: Newark, NJ
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: $1,143 per credit

6Ohio University - Russ College of Engineering

Ohio University

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.

  • Location: Athens, OH
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: In-state ($868 per credit); out-of-state and international ($887 per credit)

7North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University based in Raleigh has an online master of science in electrical engineering (MSEE). This 30-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.

  • Location: Raleigh, NC
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: Residents ($525.50 per credit); non-residents ($1,635.17 per credit)

8Penn State World Campus - College of Engineering

Penn State World Campus

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.

  • Location: University Park, PA
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: $1,017 per credit

9Iowa State University - Engineering-LAS Online Learning

Iowa State University

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.

  • Location: Ames, IA
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: $782 per credit

10Kansas State University - K-State Global Campus

Kansas State University

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.

Courses in the 30-credit program include 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.

  • Location: Manhattan, KS
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: $825.83 per credit

11Naval Postgraduate School

Naval Postgraduate School

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). Each course costs $3,200.

  • Location: Monterey, CA
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC); ABET
  • Expected Time to Completion: Must be completed within 5 years
  • Estimated Tuition: $3,200 per course

12University of Florida, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

University of Florida

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 both through DVDs or streaming (WEBCT/E-learning).

  • Location: Gainesville, FL
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: Residents ($448.73 per credit); non-residents ($690 per credit)

Other Online Electrical Engineering Programs

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:

Campus Visitation in Online Electrical Engineering Programs

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.

Influential Electrical Engineering Professors

For those considering an electrical engineering degree, there are many well-respected educators who teach online. The following electrical engineering professors are influential, well-published in prestigious journals, and have achieved a terminal degree in their discipline.

Venkataramana Ajjarapu, PhD - Iowa State University

Dr. Venkataramana Ajjarapu is the Thomas M. Whitney Professor of electrical engineering at Iowa State University. He has co-authored numerous publications and his core research areas include electric power; energy systems; wind and solar energy integration; power system security; and voltage stability. Additionally, he’s involved in the strategic planning of energy infrastructure.

He has published in journals such as the Elektrika Journal of Electrical Engineering and the International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education. He completed his PhD from the University of Waterloo, MTech from the Indian Institute of Technology, and Btech from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University.

Lujo Bauer, PhD - Carnegie Mellon University

At Carnegie Mellon University, Dr. Lujo Bauer teaches classes on electrical and computer engineering. Some of the courses he teaches or has taught include usable privacy and security; privacy policy, law, and technology; secure software systems; and introduction to computer security.

His research examines different aspects of computer security and privacy, including the development of high-assurance access-control systems, building systems in which usability and security co-exist, and designing practical tools for identifying software vulnerabilities. He completed his PhD and MA from Princeton University and a BS from Yale University.

Keren Bergman, PhD - Columbia University

Dr. Keren Bergman is the Charles Batchelor professor and chair of electrical engineering at Columbia University. She also directs the Lightwave Research Lab, where she heads numerous research programs that focus on optical interconnection networks for advanced computing systems, data centers, optical packet-switched routers, and other subjects.

She received her PhD from MIT and is both an IEEE and Optical Society of America (OSA) fellow. She received the 2008 IBM Faculty Award and the 1997 CalTech President’s Award.

Degang Chen, PhD - Iowa State University

Dr. Degang Chen is the Jerry R. Junkins chair of electrical engineering at Iowa State University. His list of publications in high-impact journals is extensive and his core research areas include VLSI, systems and controls, and analog and mixed-signal VLSI design and testing.

He has published in the IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems, and Journal of Electronic Testing: Theory and Applications. He completed his PhD and MS from the University of California and a BS from Tsinghua University.

Roberto Cristi, PhD - Naval Postgraduate School

Dr. Roberto Cristi is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School, where he teaches applied digital signal processing; image and video processing; and signals and systems, among other subjects. His current research focuses on control systems, digital signal processing, distributed learning, and multimedia. His professional interests include adaptive optics, adaptive control and signal processing, compressive sensing, multirate digital signal processing, wireless communications, and web-based education.

He has published in top journals such as the Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics, and the Journal of the Optical Society of America. He completed his PhD from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and MSEE from Brunel University and the University of Manchester Institute of Technology.

Ralph Etienne-Cummings, PhD - Johns Hopkins University

Dr. Ralph Etienne-Cummings is a professor and chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Johns Hopkins University. He was the founding director of the Institute of Neuromorphic Engineering and has served as chairman of various IEEE Circuits and Systems (CAS) Technical Committees. He has published over 230 peer-reviewed articles, and 12 book chapters, and holds 12 patents (or applications) on his work. He received his BSc in physics from Lincoln University and his MSEE and PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

Robert M. Fox, PhD - University of Florida

Dr. Robert Fox is an associate professor of electrical engineering, as well as the associate chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Florida.

His research focuses on analog integrated circuit design and electronics, and he has authored numerous publications in influential scholarly journals such as the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Biophysical Journal, and the IEEE Sensors Journal. He has received many awards such as UF EDGE Outstanding Faculty Award, and SRC Inventor Recognition Award. He completed his PhD and MS from Auburn University and a BS from the University of Notre Dame.

Don Gruenbacher, PhD - Kansas State University

Dr. Don Gruenbacher is the department head and associate professor of electrical engineering at Kansas State University. Along with his numerous publications in over 45 scholarly journals, he has received awards as an outstanding faculty member and teacher. His research focuses on computer networks, communications, and digital design.

He has also made notable contributions to software-defined networking (SDN), creating protocols for secure communications in systems such as smart grids. Professor Gruenbacher holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, a master's degree, and a doctorate, all from Kansas State University.

Jack W. Judy, PhD - University of Florida

Dr. Jack Judy is a professor of electrical engineering at the University of Florida, as well as the director of the Nanoscience Institute for Medical and Engineering Technologies. He has received numerous awards, including a Fulbright Senior Scholar Award, NSF Career Award, and an Okawa Foundation Award.

His primary research area is electro physics, and he states that he focuses on “the development of novel microscale and nanoscale systems technologies and their use in a wide variety of engineering, scientific, biological, and medical applications.” His research has been published in prominent journals such as Smart Materials and Structures, Journal of Microelectromechanical systems, and Journal of neuroscience methods. He received his PhD and ME from the University of California-Berkeley, and a BE from the University of Minnesota.

Ashfaq A. Khokhar, PhD - Iowa State University

Dr. Ashfaq Khokhar serves as the Palmer department chair of electrical and computer engineering at Iowa State University. A former professor and director of graduate studies at Illinois Institute of Technology’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, his primary research interests include context-aware device-to-device communication, computational biology, machine learning and healthcare, and other fields related to electrical engineering and communications.

He has co-authored nine book chapters, contributed to 81 publications in archived journals, and written 194 conference papers. The National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the Department of Homeland Security, among others, have funded his research.

He completed a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, Pakistan, a master’s degree in computer engineering from Syracuse University, and a PhD in computer engineering from the University of Southern California.

Michael Lightner, PhD - University of Colorado, Boulder

Dr. Michael Lightner is the chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he also serves as the vice president for academic affairs. His research areas include computer engineering and VLSI/CAD.

He has been a recipient of numerous awards such as the 2000 IEEE CAS Society Golden Jubilee Medal, the 2000 IEEE CAS Society Third Millennium Medal, and the Max S. Peters Faculty Service Award. He completed his PhD from Carnegie-Mellon University and MS and BS from the University of Florida.

Giovanna Oriti, PhD - Naval Postgraduate School

Dr. Giovanna Oriti is a professor within the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the Naval Postgraduate School. After graduating with honors from her PhD program at the University of Catania in Italy, she worked at United Technology Research Center, where she developed power-converting topologies and control systems. She later started her own consulting business, developing models for Electromagnetic Interface (EMI) analysis, and then finally joined NPS in 2008.

She has received numerous awards and has co-authored 50 papers in IEEE transactions or conference proceedings. Her research interests include electromagnetic compatibility, power electronics-based energy management systems, and stability and reliability analysis of electric ship systems. Her teaching interests include power electronics, renewable energy and grid interface, and electric circuits.

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