Accelerate your engineering career with industry-aligned skills and real-world impact.

The Professional Master’s Program (PMP) in the Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) department at the University of Washington equips students with advanced technical skills grounded in cutting‑edge research and real‑world industry practice. Designed for both working professionals and full‑time students, the PMP offers in‑person, evening courses that make it possible to advance your education without pausing your career, whether you’re already employed full‑time or seeking to build experience through quarterly internships as an international student. With its flexible structure and strong industry connections, the PMP supports a wide range of professional goals while maintaining the rigor of a top-tier engineering graduate program.

Located in the heart of the Puget Sound region, a global center for innovation and engineering, the PMP places students near industry leaders such as Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, Blue Origin, PACCAR, and Expedia. This proximity creates unmatched opportunities for networking, collaboration, and exposure to cutting‑edge technologies. With a strong industry focus, students explore areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, embedded systems, cybersecurity, wireless and space-based communications, controls, mobile applications, electromagnetics, and microelectronics. Courses are taught by world-renowned researchers and industry experts in an entrepreneurial environment where innovations from UW ECE labs frequently translate into real-world applications.

Flexible learning. Cutting-edge expertise. Industry-ready engineers.

As one of the nation’s leading engineering institutions, UW ECE consistently ranks among the top electrical and computer engineering programs in the US. Students learn from internationally renowned researchers and industry innovators, gaining direct exposure to groundbreaking work that shapes the future of technology. The department’s strong entrepreneurial culture enables ideas developed in UW ECE labs to evolve into real‑world industry applications and even startup ventures. This approach ensures an education grounded in academic excellence and meaningful impact. 

Program Highlights

• Professionally oriented graduate degree
• Industry-driven curriculum: Courses shaped by industry hiring trends
• Taught by UW ECE faculty and industry leaders
• Diverse student population
• Evening courses that accommodate work schedules and allow full-time students to pursue internships and career development opportunities
• Experiential learning and research opportunities
• Comprehensive career support, including quarterly UW career fairs, industry visits, company recruitment sessions, one‑on‑one PMP student advising, specialized workshops, and more
• Located in Seattle, WA, a vibrant tech and engineering hub

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to fit the fast-paced needs of full-time students while offering flexibility to the busy schedules of working professionals. The program can be pursued part-time or full-time.

Full-time Curriculum

The full-time curriculum usually takes four to five quarters (one to one-and-a-half calendar years) to complete. Full-time students must take a minimum of 10 credits each quarter and a minimum of five seminar credits during the course of their study.

Students interested in conducting research, pursuing a master’s thesis, or continuing onto a Ph.D. should consider the department’s daytime graduate programs.

Part-time Curriculum

The part-time curriculum typically takes nine academic quarters (three calendar years) to complete. Students generally take a four-credit course plus a one-credit seminar each quarter, for a total of five credits per quarter. This is Ideal for working professionals who want steady progress with a manageable schedule.

Take the next step and explore our degree requirements and course offerings using the links below.

• Degree Requirements
• Courses

Student Stories: Learning in Action

PMP student Kevin Um describes his research team’s SINEW Mask project.

Information Sessions

Information sessions give prospective students an opportunity to learn more about our program. Sessions provide a comprehensive overview of the Electrical & Computer Engineering Professional Master’s Program, including admissions requirements, deadlines, PMP curriculum and the PMP community. We invite you to attend! See upcoming dates and register HERE.

Prospective Student Drop-in Advising

Join a drop-in advising session to meet with an adviser and get your questions answered. Sessions are held weekly on Tuesday and Thursday from 4-5 pm. Sign up HERE.

Is the PMP the Right Fit for You?

Below is how the PMP compares with other graduate‑level options—and how to know whether it aligns with your goals.

PMP vs. the Traditional Daytime ECE Master’s Program

PMP is ideal for you if you:

• Need evening, in‑person classes that accommodate a full‑time job.
• Prefer a coursework‑focused degree without a research or thesis requirement.
• Want instruction from both UW ECE faculty and industry professionals, with an emphasis on applied, industry‑relevant topics.
• Seek flexibility to complete your degree part‑time or full‑time.

The Daytime MS ECE is better if you:

• Want a research‑intensive experience, a thesis, or hope to continue into a Ph.D.
• Prefer daytime classes and a traditional full‑time graduate student lifestyle.
• Are seeking fully funded research positions.

PMP vs. Online‑Only Master’s Programs 

Choose PMP if you value:

• In‑person learning and hands‑on lab components that online programs may not offer.
• Face‑to‑face engagement with faculty, industry leaders, and peers.
• Connections to Seattle’s world‑class tech ecosystem, including networking events, career opportunities, and project collaborations.

Choose online programs if you:

• Need maximum location flexibility.
• Prefer fully asynchronous coursework.

Are you ready? Apply NOW!