EECE Accelerated BS/MS Program

This new program is accepting applications for current 3rd-year students in the EECE program. Applications are due May 23, and admissions results will be sent out by May 30.

The Accelerated BS/MS Program in Electrical and Computer Engineering offers an accelerated pathway for high-achieving undergraduate students in WWU's EECE program. This program allows students to begin graduate-level coursework during the final year of their undergraduate studies and earn an MS degree in a shorter amount of time. Accepted students take 8 credits of approved graduate-level coursework (EECE 501, 502) that are applied toward their BS degree, and while finishing their BS degree they may take additional credits of MS classes (including EECE 503) that are applied to the MS degree, enabling them to gain advanced skills and knowledge more efficiently.

To be eligible to apply for this program, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 at WWU at the time of application, must be in their third year of study in the WWU EECE BS program, must be on track to complete all BS degree requirements the following year, and must have completed EECE 311, EECE 320, EECE 344, EECE 346, and at least one Higher-Level EECE elective. Admission to the BS/MS program is competitive and follows a two-step application process:

1. During 3rd year of BS program: First, students apply to the EECE Accelerated BS/MS program by February 1 during their third year of WWU’s EECE undergraduate BS program. Students will receive a response by April 15. (Note: in AY2024-25, the deadline is May 23, and students will receive a response by May 30). If accepted to the BS/MS program, students are granted registration privileges for core graduate courses which they will take during the fourth year of their BS degree, including EECE 501, 502, and 503. Link to BS/MS application.
    
2. During 4th year of BS program: During the fourth and final year of their BS studies, students complete the core graduate courses and formally apply to the Graduate School by February 1. Once students receive their BS degree and upon admission into the Graduate School, they transition to full-time work on their MS degree, which can typically be completed in one additional year. Link to Graduate School application.

This program provides a unique opportunity for students to accelerate their educational and professional journey, allowing motivated students the opportunity to complete a BS and MS in 5 years total. 

Candidates in this program must satisfy all the requirements for the BS degree in EECE at WWU, and must take EECE 501 and EECE 502 during their BS degree. Admitted students also typically take EECE 503 during the final year of their BS degree. Students in this program will be granted registration privileges to these graduate courses via course override.

Candidates must be fully admitted full-time graduate students for at least 3 academic quarters. Conversion to full graduate status is granted by the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the Graduate Program Coordinator, provided that the candidate:

• submits a complete Graduate School application, 
• has completed all requirements for the undergraduate degree,
• has a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0, and
• files a Graduate Plan of Study with the Graduate School.

Students pay graduate fees once they have been fully admitted as graduate students. Students admitted to full graduate status are eligible for TA positions.

A student must satisfy all the usual MS course and project requirements in EECE except that:

• no 400 level credits may be counted towards the graduate degree,
• up to seven (7) 500-level credits earned while in undergraduate status may be transferred into the graduate program, provided that those credits have not previously been used towards the undergraduate degree, and
• only 37 graduate credits are required.

Please email the Graduate Program Coordinator at EECEgrad@wwu.edu.