Plan A (Thesis MS)
Nine courses + thesis
Complete coursework and write/defend an MS thesis featuring substantial original research results.
Master of Science in Computer Engineering
Learn to develop the technologies to address global challenges
The master of science in computer engineering program prepares students to become leaders in university and industry settings. Our department offers students a truly interdisciplinary program with strong ties to both electrical engineering and computer science programs, mirroring the interdisciplinarity that computer engineers find in industry and research.
Courses and research in computer engineering include computer systems, computer architecture, mobile systems, parallel systems, parallel processing, parallel algorithms, hardware software interaction, very large-scale integration (VLSI) design, embedded systems, numerical analysis, systems simulation, robotics, and large-scale systems.
Curriculum and Program Planning
The basics at-a-glance
Earn your degree in 9-21 months by completing at least 12 credits according to one of the following plans:
Plan B (Project MS)
Nine courses + research project
Complete coursework and a research project including a project report that contains results based on existing theory or techniques.
Plan C (Course MS)
Complete 12 courses
Complete nine courses in computer engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering (including six core computer engineering courses) plus three additional 400-level courses.
Specializations
Students can choose from the following specializations, or create a custom program to gain exposure in any number of areas of interest.
Why Northwestern?
Round out your expertise through research experience, complementary minors, and connections to Chicago-area industry and research partners
Work with world-class researchers across Northwestern
Northwestern Engineering offers a robust research environment, including 16 research centers with which we actively collaborate. Our research spans the following divisions:
Develop complementary skills by earning a minor
Prepare yourself for obtaining your own funding, managing a business, or developing/using custom software for your research with a minor in one of the following areas:
Easy access to Chicagoland research and industry partners
Situated along the lake, 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, Northwestern’s unique location offers unsurpassed access to research partnerships and networking opportunities with neighbors such as Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, Ford, Motorola, Nokia, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Sandia National Labs.
Questions about the ECE graduate program?
Career Paths and Next Steps
Where do we go from here?
Students who earn the master of science in computer engineering gain a competitive edge over their peers, working in fields such as design and management; micro-electronics and semiconductors; application-specific hardware and software systems; and computer-aided design tools for digital, aerospace, defense, and networked systems.
In addition, our career advisors in Engineering Career Development and Northwestern Career Advancement assist students with career development and placement.
130k
Median starting salary for our graduates
72% industry, 28% PhD studies
While many of our graduates move into industry roles after graduates, others pursue PhDs at prestigious universities throughout the world.
Request Your Program & Application Guide
Request a customized program guide about the master of science in computer engineering.