Accelerated BS/MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering
At a Glance
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.
Eligibility / Admission
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:
- During 3rd year of BS program: First, students apply to the EECE Accelerated BS/MS program by April 15 during their third year of WWU’s EECE undergraduate BS program. Students will receive a response by mid-May, before registration for Fall classes begins. 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. Applications are open from Feb. 1 through April 15. Link to BS/MS application.
- 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.
BS Requirements
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.
Graduate Status
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 Director, 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.
MS Requirements
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 (such as EECE 503), provided that those credits have not previously been used towards the undergraduate degree (as is the case with EECE 501 and 502), and
- only 37 graduate credits are required.
Frequently Asked Questions
The MS degree can open doors to higher-paying and more specialized roles, including leadership positions. In a competitive job market, the addition of an MS degree can set your profile apart from those with a BS degree.
During the last year of your BS degree while wrapping up your capstone project as well as any other remaining requirements for the BS degree, you will take these graduate courses:
Fall: *EECE 501 (4 cr)
Winter: *EECE 502 (4 cr)
Spring: EECE 503 (4 cr)
The courses shown in bold will be used to meet EECE Higher-Level Electives that are required for the BS degree. All other courses will be transferred and applied to the MS degree.
Initially, you apply during winter quarter of your third year of studies to seek admission to the BS/MS program. If admitted, you must also formally apply to the graduate school during your fourth year of studies. If you are not initially admitted to the BS/MS program, you will not be able to register for graduate classes during the last year of your BS studies, but you can still apply to the standard MS program during your fourth year of studies.
Admission to the program is competitive as there are a limited number of spots. The primary factor the Graduate Program Committee considers during admissions is a student's GPA in major courses.
The selectivity of the program depends on the number of spots available and the number of students applying, and varies from year to year.
Both programs have the same coursework and research expectations. The primary difference is that the accelerated MS program offers students the chance to complete EECE 501, ECE 502, and EECE 503 during the final year of the BS degree.
Yes. While the accelerated MS program is designed to allow students to complete their MS degree in as little as one additional year, students can also take their time and complete the program in more than one year.
Because the accelerated MS program involves a faster pace and the added challenge of beginning graduate coursework while completing an undergraduate degree, it is intended for high-achieving students who have demonstrated strong academic performance. The Graduate School requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 for admission to any graduate program at Western, including the accelerated option. Students with GPAs below 3.0 are not eligible for the accelerated track but may apply for conditional admission to the regular MS program.
The cumulative GPA at Western, per Graduate School policy.
Possibly, but only if the program requirements and courses have not changed in the time since you’ve been gone, and only if there is space in the program. Taking a break in the middle of the accelerated pathway may disrupt your academic momentum, make it more difficult to engage with a research project in a timely manner, and increase the chance of needing more than a year of study when you return. If you choose this route, you will need to delay or withdraw your application to the Graduate School which you would normally submit by winter quarter of your final undergraduate year. You would then apply for the accelerated MS in a year or two, assuming it is still available, and your prior coursework aligns with current program requirements.
Yes, you can change your mind and opt not to pursue the accelerated MS program during the final year of your BS. In such a case, you can drop EECE 503 in the spring quarter of your fourth year and withdraw your MS application to the Graduate School.
Possibly. Financial aid generally requires students to maintain full-time status (i.e., enrollment in 12 or more credits), and at least 12 of these credits must be required for your BS degree.
Pursuing the accelerated MS does not change the total number of credits required for the BS degree. However, EECE 503, which is typically taken in spring quarter as part of the accelerated track, does not count toward the BS. As a result, EECE 503 may not be included when determining full-time enrollment status for financial aid purposes. You could therefore fall below the 12-credit threshold in spring quarter unless you are also enrolled in enough undergraduate courses that apply to your BS degree.
Similarly, if you are "ahead" and complete both your EECE Higher-Level Elective (HLE) and Technical Elective (TE) requirements before winter quarter of your senior year, EECE 502 may no longer be considered a required course for your BS degree. In that case, its 4 credits may not count toward your full-time status for financial aid.
Because financial aid eligibility can vary by individual situation, we strongly recommend consulting with a Financial Aid Advisor early to plan your course load and ensure continued eligibility.
Please refer to the Student Business Office website to compare the tuition and fees schedule. The direct link to fees changes every year, but as an example, see the AY2025-26 fees schedule.
Please refer to the Financial Aid website to find information about financial aid.
Yes. The department has several TA positions available each year. RA positions may be available when faculty members have active research grants or sponsored projects that include graduate student support. Both TA and RA positions, when available, are awarded based on the Graduate School application. To be eligible for these positions, students must be full-time, on-campus students.
Questions?
Please email the Graduate Program Director at EECEgrad@wwu.edu.