Electrical and Computer Engineering
Ph.D.

Home All Programs Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Overview

Building a Smarter, More Connected Future

The future of technology is being shaped by those who innovate, solve complex challenges, and push the boundaries of possibility. A PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from LTU positions you to be one of those leaders.

This program offers advanced research opportunities and collaboration with forward-thinking peers, equipping you to tackle real-world problems and drive technological advancements. Whether your path leads to academia, industry, or entrepreneurship, you’ll graduate ready to make a lasting impact in a field that’s constantly evolving.

Why LTU?

Pursue your PhD with a master’s degree or directly from a bachelor’s.
Explore diverse research areas like AI, robotics, or energy, and specialize in your field of interest.
Receive personalized mentorship from accomplished faculty.
Balance work and studies with flexible part-time options for professionals and full-time students.
Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration to connect engineering with other fields.

Contact

Nabih Jaber, Department Chair and Director of PHDECE and MSECE Graduate Programs

njaber@ltu.edu

Curriculum

» Curriculum Documents

To fulfill the requirements for a Ph.D. degree, students with an M.S. degree must successfully earn a minimum of 60 credit hours, with a maximum of 18 course credits and a minimum of 42 dissertation hours. The anticipated completion time for the program is four to five years. In addition, students must pass three examinations:

Qualifying Examination
Preliminary Dissertation Examination
Dissertation Oral Examination, as described in the LTU Ph.D. Policies and Procedures.

Students admitted to the program are defined as “Ph.D. Students” until they pass the Qualifying Examination, at which time they are considered “Ph.D. Candidates.”

Students with a B.S. degree must successfully earn a minimum of 69 credit hours, with a maximum of 27 course credits and a minimum of 42 dissertation hours. The anticipated completion time for the program is four to five years. In addition, students must pass three examinations:

Qualifying Examination
Preliminary Dissertation Examination
Dissertation Oral Examination, as described in the LTU Ph.D. Policies and Procedures.

Students admitted to the program are defined as “Ph.D. Students” until they pass the Qualifying Examination, at which time they are considered “Ph.D. Candidates.”

The student is expected to complete the degree within seven years of matriculating into a Ph.D. program unless a specific extension has been recommended by the department chair and approved by the Provost/CAO.

Credit Transfer Policy

LTU allows a maximum transfer of six credits of qualified graduate-level coursework (beyond the M.S. degree) from other institutions. Transferred courses must have been completed within the past five years and received a grade of B or higher. Applicants transferring from other institutions with special circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Research Specialization

The Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree will prepare its students in the following primary doctoral research areas:

Intelligent Transportation Systems
Smart Grid Power Line Communications
Artificial Intelligence • Intelligent Systems
Medical Robotics
Wireless Communication, Vehicle Communication Network, Sensor Networks
Speech Enhancement Techniques
Internet of Things
Digital Signal Processing
Embedded System and Software
Non-Destructive Optical Detection, Ultrasound Generation and imaging, Photoacoustic Imaging and Sensing
Augmented reality

Depending on the specialization selected, each student is assigned to an Advisor who will guide and advise the student throughout the process.

Admission Requirements

The ECE department must receive the package at least 90 days before the term in which the applicant intends to enroll. After the deadline, exceptional candidates may be considered on a case-by-case basis if there is availability in the program. The ECE Department will decide on admission to the Ph.D. in ECE Program.

Applicants with a master’s degree or foreign equivalent must provide evidence of a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.2 or higher. Applicants with an earned bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in ECE may be admitted into a sequenced master-Ph.D. program with evidence of a CGPA of 3.3 or higher. Exceptions to the minimum CGPA may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

As well as accommodating full-time students, the department understands that many professionals in the field may need to balance demanding work commitments with their doctoral studies. Hence, the ECE Department is firmly committed to accommodating industry engineers by offering part-time enrollment options for the Ph.D. program.

Financial Aid

Financial aid in the form of an assistantship is also available for full-time PhD students.

Possible Assistantship for Full-time PhD Students:

Tuition Scholarships
$25,000 stipend per year
Must submit additional application for the position

How to Apply

Learn more about the application at ltu.edu/admissions/doctoral.

Applications must include the following:

A current resume or curriculum vitae.
Provide official transcripts of all completed college work.
Submit a minimum of one recommendation letter from academic professor who has directly evaluated the student’s academic performance during previous degrees. More than one letter is encouraged.
Submit a research statement describing subject(s) of interest. This statement MUST INCLUDE the intended area of specialization within Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Non-native speakers of English must document English proficiency upon entry to the program (TOEFL minimum 570 for the PBT and an 84 for the IBT or IELTS minimum 6.5).

Engineering News

Electrical and Computer Engineering Ph.D.