Electrical Engineering (Ph.D.)
Ph.D. Electrical Engineering
Program Overview
The core curriculum focuses on areas that are practical, applicable to industry and beneficial to society. Course offerings in relevant subject areas include machine learning, artificial intelligence, computer and processor design, microelectronics, nanotechnology, networks, smart energy, power and mobility systems, which are integrated with entrepreneurship and commercialization.
Course Work
Electrical engineering doctoral students will complete core courses in research methods, leadership skills in commercialization and entrepreneurship, and a specialized course in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Additional core courses related to the student's research area are required. Collectively, these courses lay a strong foundation for students to conduct robust research, apply their findings practically, and lead in entrepreneurial and commercial scenarios within electrical engineering.
The program also requires prescribed elective courses that can be selected for other engineering disciplines. A significant portion of the program is dedicated to the dissertation, which reflects the culmination of the student's learning and research throughout their time in the program and provides an opportunity to explore a specific area within electrical engineering. A dissertation advisor closely supervises the dissertation work to ensure academic rigor and relevance.
| Degree | Course Work | Dissertation | Total Hours | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree Ph.D. (Entering with a master's) | Course Work 30 hours | Dissertation 24 hours | Total Hours 54 hours | Location San Marcos |
Degree Ph.D. (Entering with a bachelor's) | Course Work 54 hours | Dissertation 24 hours | Total Hours 78 hours | Location San Marcos |
Program Details
The electrical engineering doctoral program addresses the need for highly qualified electrical engineers to lead innovative research and development activities. This program will equip students with the essential skills in leadership, innovation, communication, and entrepreneurship in several targeted and important fields of electrical engineering. There is a focused emphasis on advancements in energy production and management, semiconductor development and commercialization, and advanced computing and communications technologies. Critical contributing technologies include machine learning, artificial intelligence, advanced wireless communications, and continued miniaturization of key functions.
Program Mission
The electrical engineering doctoral program is designed to equip graduates with:
- depth of technical knowledge in relevant areas of electrical engineering
- skills for conducting cutting-edge applied research and communications that advance the state-of-the-art in various areas of electrical engineering
- leadership, innovation, communication, and entrepreneurial skills that prepare students to tackle challenges in multidisciplinary and diverse teams within academic and industrial organizations
Career Options
Courses and research will prepare electrical engineering students for careers in:
- industry
- government agencies
- national laboratories
- small businesses
Program Faculty
The Electrical Engineering faculty research areas include:
- machine learning and artificial intelligence
- thin film printable electronics
- advanced semiconductor materials and devices
- next-generation wireless communication
- smart energy and power systems
- smart systems and IoT
- computer engineering
The faculty publish in top journals including:
- various IEEE journals
- Nature Journal
- The Journal of Applied Physics
- The National Academy of Science
- various crystal growth journals
- ACS and MRS journals
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more. If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following individuals.
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Ravi Droopad
rdroopad@txstate.edu
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Application Deadlines
| DEADLINES* | U.S. CITIZEN | INTERNATIONAL |
|---|---|---|
DEADLINES* Fall - Priority | U.S. CITIZEN March 15 | INTERNATIONAL March 15 |
DEADLINES* Fall - Standard | U.S. CITIZEN June 15 | INTERNATIONAL June 1 |
*For fall 2025 only, this program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration. While this program has a flexible deadline for admission consideration, class availability may be limited the closer you apply to the deadline.
| Funding Information For scholarship, fellowship or assistantship consideration, applications must be completed by the deadline above. |
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
- exceptional applicants with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with a competitive GPA or a closely related discipline from a regionally accredited university with a competitive GPA will also be considered for admission (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- applicants should have completed a master’s degree in electrical engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited college or university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a U.S. Master’s degree. Master’s degrees following a three-year Bachelor’s degrees may not be equivalent; please contact Graduate Admissions if you are unsure.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- competitive GPA in all completed graduate course work
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- the applicant must have an official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test result report submitted to the The Graduate College
- the preferred score is 146 or higher for verbal and 160 or higher for quantitative
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores. - the applicant must have an official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test result report submitted to the The Graduate College
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Documents & Other Requirements
- resume/CV outlining education, work experience, scholarships/grants, publications/presentations, other accomplishments.
- statement of purpose- outlining the applicant’s personal history and goals that are relevant to obtaining this doctoral degree, explaining why the applicant wants to pursue this degree at TXST
- three letters of recommendation evaluating your skill and potential in this degree program.
- top ranked applicants who meet the minimum preferred credentials will be interviewed by the Ph.D. program director and other committee members via online tools such as Zooms or MS Teams
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