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The typical length of Master's degree study is 3 to 4 semesters. Combining with summer, it is possible to complete the Master's degree study in one calendar year. Internship or work related projects may be used towards a Master's project for the fulfillment of the Master's degree requirement. Substantial tuition scholarship is available to highly qualified Master's students.
Below is a brief summary of some of the requirements -- Students are encouraged to consult with the ECSE Graduate Program Handbook for full description of requirements and guidelines, and to use the Program Planner appropriate for their degree.
Students pursuing the MS in ELEC or CSYS with thesis need to complete the following (see the ECSE Graduate Student Handbook for complete requirements):
- 30 credits
- At least 15 (non-thesis) credits must be at the 6000 level
- At least 12 credits must be taken within the ECSE Department
- Six (6) OR nine (9) MS thesis credits
- At least one Math course (3-4 credits)
- No more than 6 transfer credits
- No more than 3 credits of Independent Study (ECSE-6940)
- No 1000- or 2000- level courses may be applied towards the degree
Students pursuing the MS in ELEC or CSYS without thesis need to complete the following (see the ECSE Graduate Student Handbook for complete requirements):
- 30 credits
- At least 18 credits must be at the 6000 level
- At least 18 credits must be taken within the ECSE Department
- At least one Math course (3-4 credits)
- No more than 3 credits of Independent Study (ECSE-6940)
- No more than 6 credits of Master's Project (ECSE-6980)
- No more than 6 transfer credits
- No 1000- or 2000- level courses may be applied towards the degree
MS Focus Areas
A student pursuing an MS, whether with or without thesis or through the MS co-terminal program, can optionally add an MS Focus Area. A focus would be satisfied with 3 ECSE concentration courses, at least two of these ECSE courses need to be at the 6xxx level, and the third could be an ECSE 4xxx or ECSE 6xxx course. The focus courses need to be chosen from the list of Focus Area Courses in the respective Focus Area, as listed below. Choosing a focus area is optional, i.e., an MS (with or without thesis) or an MS co-term does not have to declare a focus area. See the list here.
Finding an Advisor, Advising and Course Registration
All graduate students pursuing an MS with Thesis must have an official ECSE faculty advisor. Students pursuing the MS without Thesis option may elect to have an advisor in their particular area of study or be advised by the ECSE Director of Master's Programs. Students are welcome to have a faculty advisor from another department but must have an ECSE professor as a co-advisor.
Students admitted with RA funding are automatically assigned to an advisor. Students admitted as TA's or without funding are not assigned to a specific advisor and have the flexibility to choose from among the faculty. These students are encouraged to meet with professors in their particular area of interest as soon as possible after arriving to determine the best research fit. All students are required to submit an official advisor form (PDF) during their first semester of study. This form must be on file no later than October 1 for those who enter in the fall and March 1 for those who enter in the spring. If a student changes advisors during the course of study, a new form must be filled out and placed on file with the department.
Full-time students must be registered for 12-16 credits each semester until they graduate. The only exception is for TA’s, who may register for a minimum of 9, maximum of 16 credits in the semester(s) they are teaching. Part-time students must be continuously registered until they graduate to remain in good standing. Students who need to take a break during their studies for any reason should discuss the possibility of an official leave of absence with the department and the Office of Graduate Education before leaving.
It is the student's responsibility to meet with his/her advisor and discuss appropriate courses.Those pursuing the MS with thesis may register for thesis credits as early as the first semester of study. Typically, students register for a combination of course and thesis credits until all the necessary coursework is complete. Students then register for thesis credits until completion of the thesis.
Plan of Study
All students must file a Plan of Study outlining all course and (if applicable) thesis credits that will be counted for the degree.
Official RPI Plan of Study Form
Students should discuss their Plan of Study with their advisor early in the program and have an initial plan on file with the department by the end of the first semester. The Plan of Study must be signed by both the student and the advisor and then submitted to the department for approval by the Director of Masters Programs.The Plan of Study may be updated as many times as necessary to reflect any changes in the program. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that an up-to-date Plan of Study is on file with the department.
For more information, visit the Office of Graduate Education.
Contacts
- Professor Rich Radke, Master's Program Director
- Professor Ali Tajer, Admissions Committee Head
Questions
If you have any questions, please send a message to:
- ecse-gpd@rpi.edu (current students)
- ecse-admissions@rpi.edu (applicants and prospective students)