Computer Engineering Doctoral Program

Who Should Apply?

We welcome applicants with a master’s degree in electrical or computer engineering (up to 30 credits may be transferred to Stevens’ Ph.D. program). Applicants carrying a GPA of 3.5 or higher are preferred. Exceptionally well-qualified applicants with a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering and a background that demonstrates the potential to perform independent research may be considered for direct admission to the Ph.D. program.

Program Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, with a minimum GPA of 3.5, from an accredited institution

• Official college transcripts

• Two letters of recommendation

• Resume or curriculum vitae

• A statement of purpose

• For international students: An excellent TOEFL/IELTS score

• A competitive GRE or GMAT score (required for both part-time and full-time applicants)

• View General Admissions Requirements >

For information about fellowships and assistantships, contact Graduate Admissions. Contact >

Computer Engineering Doctoral Program Curriculum Overview

The computer engineering doctoral program provides opportunities for the Ph.D. student to proceed with professional development beyond the master’s level. The course work may be directed toward depth in the area of the master’s degree or toward depth in a new area related to that of the master’s degree. A design project of significance is required.

By the end of this program, you will be able to:

• Conduct research in the design and analysis of computer hardware and software systems, digital and electronics systems, and wireless communication systems

• Design models, algorithms, and architectures to protect information security

• Apply computer engineering knowledge and techniques to solve a broad spectrum of engineering problems

• Play a leadership role in both academia and industry

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. program requires the completion of a total of 54 credits beyond the master’s degree or 84 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree, passing of a qualifying examination, a dissertation proposal defense, and the final dissertation defense.

For students with a master’s degree, a minimum of 18 course credits and 18 research credits must be completed, together with a 3-credit Stevens signature course: PRV961. The remaining 15 credits could be either courses or research credits. For students admitted into the Ph.D. program directly from the bachelor's degree, a minimum of 30 course credits, and 30 research credits must be completed, together with a 3-credit Stevens signature course: PRV961. The remaining 21 credits could be either course or research credits.

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Qualifying Examination

Successful completion of a written qualifying examination is required.

Doctoral Dissertation and Advisory Committee

Within one year of passing the qualifying examination, the student must complete and defend a thesis proposal. A Ph.D. candidate may arrange for an advisor to assist in the development of the thesis proposal. The advisor must be a full-time ECE professor or professor emeritus. The proposal must indicate the direction that the thesis will take and procedures that will be used to initiate the research. Some preliminary results are often included in the proposal. In addition, the proposal must include the results of a thorough literature search.

A committee of at least three faculty members, chaired by the thesis advisor, must accept the written thesis proposal and conduct an oral defense presented by the doctoral candidate.

All Ph.D. candidates who are working on a thesis must have a thesis committee chaired by the thesis advisor. The committee must include at least three full-time faculty members or professors emeritus of the ECE department, and one regular faculty member from another department. In addition, it is permissible and encouraged to include a highly qualified person from outside of Stevens. The committee must approve the completed thesis unanimously. After the thesis has been completed, it must be publicly defended.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GENERAL REQUIREMENTS >

If you have existing graduate credits or experience in this area of study, contact [email protected] to discuss opportunities to include it in the curriculum.