Question 1

What will appear on my degree certificate, and is it the same as the on-campus program?

Accepted Answer

Graduates earn the same Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree as students in the on-campus program. The diploma and transcript do not indicate that the degree was completed online.

Question 2

What career options can this degree support?

Accepted Answer

This degree prepares graduates for advanced roles in electrical and computer engineering, including opportunities in embedded systems, semiconductors, power electronics, photonics, and related engineering fields. It is also designed to support career growth in high-demand technical areas where employers continue to report talent shortages.
Graduates of the Department of Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering programs have gone on to become engineers at Intel, Lockheed Martin, Tesla, and Google. Admitted degree-seeking students have access to Handshake, a comprehensive resource for all things career-related.

Question 3

Is the program accredited?‎

Accepted Answer

Yes. The online MS-ECE falls under the University of Colorado Boulder’s institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission.

Question 4

Can I try a course before enrolling for credit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most for-credit courses also have a non-credit version. Learners can start in non-credit, then upgrade during the enrollment window and carry forward completed assignments into the for-credit experience.

If you are taking a non-credit course, you only pay the monthly Coursera subscription fee. If you are taking a for-credit course, you only pay the $667 per credit hour tuition fee.

Question 5

How does the online format work, and what academic support, networking, and career resources are available?

Accepted Answer

The program is delivered 100% online through lecture videos, readings, quizzes, and online assessments. Exams and project-based assessments are completed online, and some courses may require separate lab or development kits. Students learn from the same faculty as on-campus students and have access to weekly online office hours with course facilitators. They can also connect through Slack and discussion forums and, once admitted as degree-seeking students, use Handshake for career support.
When you successfully complete the online MS-ECE degree, you may come to campus to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Question 6

How long does the program take, how many credits are required, and how much time should I plan each week?

Accepted Answer

The degree requires 30 credit hours and is typically completed in about 24 months, depending on pace. Individual courses may take 3 to 6 weeks to complete within 8-week sessions. Students should plan for about 4 to 6 hours of work per week for each course. New students are encouraged to start with one course and then decide whether to take more in the same session.

Question 7

What does the program cost, how do payments work, and is financial aid available?

Accepted Answer

Total tuition is $20,010, based on $667 per credit hour for 30 credits. The program uses a pay-as-you-go model, so students pay per course rather than upfront for the full degree. Tuition payments cannot be rolled over to a future session. Currently scholarships are not available.

Question 8

Can I transfer credit into the program from other institutions or other CU Boulder Coursera degrees?

Accepted Answer

The program does not accept transfer credits from other institutions. However, students may apply up to 9 graduate-level credits from eligible CU Boulder MS-DS or ME-EM Coursera programs toward the 30-credit requirement, subject to academic rules and no double counting.

Question 9

How does performance-based admission work, and do I need an electrical engineering background?

Accepted Answer

Admission is performance-based. Students begin by completing a Pathway Specialization of 3 to 4 for-credit courses and earn admission by achieving an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. A traditional application with transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE, or TOEFL scores is not required for this pathway. An electrical engineering background or work experience can be helpful, but it is not required.

Question 10

What focus areas and pathway specializations are available?

Accepted Answer

The program offers focus areas in embedded systems, power electronics, and photonics and optics. Students can begin through one of several pathway specializations, including power electronics, embedded sensors and motors, FPGA design for embedded systems, optical engineering, and semiconductor devices.