Graduate Programs

The UCI Samueli School of Engineering provides a vibrant academic environment for students interested in science and the engineering, new technologies, and their application for the benefit of society. Please see the 2021-22 Dean's Report for the latest news and highlights. We offer three different types of graduate degrees (Ph.D., M.S., and Professional Master's) within and across different departments. Our school currently ranks 21st among public and 38th among all U.S. graduate schools in engineering, according to U.S. News & World Report.
 

Find the Right Degree for You!

Students can choose the degree and program that fits their background, interest, and long-term professional goals. A general comparison among the types of graduate degrees is provided in the table below.

Degree

Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Master of Science (M.S.)

Professional Master's (M.Eng or MECPS)

Focus

Research

Research / Technical

Technical Skills with Career Support

Target Careers

Academia and/or Industry R&D

Technical Pathway to PhD

Leaders and Technical Managers in Industry, Entrepreneurs, Intrapreneurs

Duration

4-5 Years

1-2 years

9 or 15 months

Final Deliverable

Ph.D. Dissertation

M.S. Thesis or Comprehensive Exam

Capstone Project (most connected to Industry)

Financial Aid

Fully funded for at least 4 years. Details vary depending on the department

Federal Loans (Domestic Students Only),  TA or GSR limited opportunities

M.Eng Fellowships and funding, Federal Loans (Domestic Students Only), Employer Support

Sign up to receive more information about our degrees.